Mangaluru/Udupi: Organiser fails to screen films in rural areas, 11 cinemas in Mangaluru to continue the show

The much-touted International Children’s Film Festival, Mangaluru, was a flop show on Monday with the main organiser, Children’s India, failing to screen films in rural areas, and the opening hours of the fest in Mangaluru plunging into chaos.

The organiser apparently didn’t have an agreement with UFO, Delhi, to beam the films in taluk headquarters of Dakshina Kannada. As a result, hundreds of children went home disappointed.

In Mangaluru city, there were no proper arrangements for students to reach designated theatres.

Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim told The Hindu that the festival would be on in Mangaluru for the remaining days till November 26. However, there would be no shows as indicated earlier in other towns of the district — Moodbidri, Bantwal, Puttur and Sullia. In Udupi district, the screening of films in seven theatres were suspended. R. Vishal, Deputy Commissioner, told The Hindu that without proper technological input and permission, no film could be screened. “Though we were ready with logistics to bring the school students to theatres and food arrangements, we had no alternative but to cancel the shows on Monday. We have also cancelled the shows for Tuesday,” he said. Sources in the administration said the government had paid Rs. 25 lakh for the festival, besides providing infrastructure. city corporation paid for the expenses of Sunday’s festival inauguration, sources said.

Children’s India President N.R. Nanjunde Gowda was not available for comments. While he had claimed organising workshops and seminars on children’s films during the festival, no details came out about these events.

Photo credit: The Hindu