Author: Smile Team

Donates 400 ‘Aircrafted KIDS by Emirates’ special edition school bags to Smile Foundation

New Delhi, India; 26 March 2025: Education is one of the greatest engines for societal development, laying a strong foundation for economic empowerment. To support India’s initiatives of making education accessible to its children, Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has donated essential supplies and limited-edition, handcrafted backpacks from its ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection to a non-profit organisation in India. 

India is making reforms in its education system, continuously improving its infrastructure and resources to provide equal opportunities to children across the country. To support their efforts in rolling out access to education for underprivileged children, Emirates assisted the students of Smile Foundation with their schooling by providing 400 practical, stylish backpacks filled with stationery, and learning supplies.

The organization was carefully selected as it serves local communities by creating a nurturing and inspirational space for disadvantaged youths to continue their education in a safe environment. The institute has a longstanding legacy of supporting youth and a particular focus on education. The initiative reinforces the airline’s commitment to ‘connecting communities’ by building enduring relationships and making meaningful differences in the destinations it serves. 

Mohammad Sarhan, Vice President Emirates for India, said: “Education is a fundamental right. In line with our support for UN Sustainable Development Goal number 4, focused on quality education, we are dedicated to ensuring that children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the resources needed to learn and create an equitable future for themselves.”

“We are pleased to partner with Smile Foundation, that has been working for over two decades to ensure underprivileged children have the opportunity to progress, setting them on the path for a brighter, more productive tomorrow. The bags from the Aircrafted KIDS collection will support their mission as they are uniquely made and filled with stationery, books, and hygiene items to assist children in their daily tasks and learning. We are proud to share these bags, which are upcycled from materials from our aircraft. They connect children to Emirates’ history while demonstrating a sustainable use of resources.”

Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation remarked, “Education of children is the key to a future full of potential and is instrumental in nation-building too. I firmly believe in the philosophy of civic-driven change, wherein responsible organizations and members of the civil society complement the governmental efforts. We appreciate Emirates for encouraging our children and our initiatives.”

Smile Foundation handpicked the specific bags they required from the ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection, accounting for children of all ages. The backpacks were then handmade by Emirates Engineering in-house, with materials upcycled from the airline’s iconic A380 and B777 aircraft that underwent refurbishments. 

In addition to the bags, Emirates provided school and hygiene supplies such as pens, pencils, erasers, calculators, notebooks, sanitizers, soaps, other sanitary items and more. The airline also purchased books which blend culturally rich stories with interactive learning opportunities. The books can be swapped and discussed amongst the students, further developing their understanding of the material.

Under the Aircrafted programme more than 50,000 kg of materials from 191 aircrafts slated to undergo the airline’s interior cabin retrofit programme are expected to be recovered and repurposed. In addition to the donations made in India, Emirates provided organisations in Bangladesh and Pakistan with bags, bringing the total donation to 700 in Asia alone after donating 1,239 in Africa in the previous months

About Emirates

Emirates’ 39 years in India have been defined by progressive investment, partnership, and growth. In October 1985, Emirates launched flights from Dubai to Delhi and Mumbai which formed the base of its initial route network. Since then, Emirates has grown its India operations to serve a total of nine destinations across India – Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram. For more information on Emirates’ current operations, network, travel support, guidance, customer, and employee safety, visit www.emirates.com

About Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organization directly benefiting over 1.5 million children and their families every year through impactful welfare projects on education, healthcare, skilling, and women empowerment spread across 27 states. Visit www.smilefoundationindia.org

Berger’s CSR initiative receives 7th ICC Social Impact Awards 2025 for its impact

Kolkata; 13^th of March 2025: Rezaul Hoque, from Naodapara village in Murshidabad district, used to a daily wage earner, staring at an uncertain future. However, his fate took a turn when iTrain on Wheels mobile upskilling project approached him to take up the free paint applicator’s training. Today, he is an established and sought-after master painter in his region and employs 18 other paint applicators. His story is not merely one of professional success; it is a narrative woven with challenges, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

The thought of a household paint applicator or the painter brings a man into the picture naturally. However, women too are disrupting this male-dominated sector across India. Thanks to iTrain on Wheels programme, an innovative CSR initiative from Berger Paints India Limited, implemented by Smile Foundation.

Amrutben from Madhapar village in Kachchh, Gujarat used to supplement her family income by working as a construction labourer not long ago.

Then came a moment that changed everything. When the iTrain on Wheels mobile training team came to her village, with a lot of hesitation, she became the lone female participant braving the unknown. “I learned valuable skills, mastered innovative painting skills and home decoration techniques. The specialized tools and equipment also brought confidence in me to take up work,” reminisced Amrutben.    

Today she has employed a team of eight to ten men, with a monthly earning ranging between Rupees 60,000 to 80,000. She says this is still unbelievable to her at times. The programme has transformed Amrutben from a labourer into a leader, proving that with right support and opportunities has helped her paint a brighter future.

The story of change is no different for Ferdinancy Laloo in Meghalaya’s Shillong. She has been a dedicated wife and mother of three who was finding it hard with her husband’s meagre income. Today she has turned her family’s fortune around, becoming an inspiration in the community.

There are 2.98 lakh paint applicators who have transformed their future in the last three years across 443 districts in 25 states and three UTs of India under iTrain on Wheels initiative.

Mr. Abhijit Roy, MD & CEO of Berger Paints India Ltd. said, “By empowering paint applicators, especially women in small towns and villages, we are investing in their future and helping them build a better life for themselves and their families. We are proud to be a part of their journey towards a brighter tomorrow through excellence in skills and with dignity.”

Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation said, “Skill development plays a crucial role in the nation’s economic and social advancement. India faces a pressing need for skilled workers as well as job creators. We are thankful to Berger Paints India Ltd for its trust and the partnership for this unique and impactful CSR initiative.”

Berger Paints India Limited and Smile Foundation came together in 2021 to implement iTrain on Wheels programme. This upskilling initiative is aimed at honing the skills of unorganized paint applicators (household painters) by training them in contemporary painting techniques while simultaneously upskilling existing paint applicators (painters) to enhance their employability and earning opportunities. The paint applicators receive the skilling and training free of cost in their vicinity.

Besides technical skills development, the programme also places a significant emphasis on soft skills training, as well as entrepreneurial skills development.

An independent study on the programme shows that as many as 73 per cent of the respondents saw an increase in spending on vegetables and other nutritional food. This indicates a prioritization of health and well-being of the entire family and a comfortable standard of living. A significant 74 per cent of respondents have also purchased a vehicle each. It reflects their financial stability and an increase in the ability to realize their aspiration with the change in the income growth after completion of the iTrain programme. There has also been a corresponding increase in multiple expenditure areas related to family members.

As a recognition to the socio-economic impact that the initiative has been creating on the ground, iTrain on Wheels programme received the 7th Indian Chamber of Commerce Social Impact Awards 2025 under “Employment Enhancing Vocational Skills” category in Kolkata.

About Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organization directly benefiting over 1.5 million children and their families every year through impactful welfare projects on education, healthcare, skilling, and women empowerment spread across 27 states. Visit www.smilefoundationindia.org

Smile Foundation aligns its initiatives closely with numerous governmental missions, complementing the vision of Nation Building in the process.

About Berger Paints India Limited 

Berger Paints India Ltd is an Indian multinational paint company, based in Kolkata. This company has 16 manufacturing units in India, two in Nepal, and one each in Poland Russia and Pakistan It has an employee strength of over 3,600 and a countrywide distribution network of more than 25,000 dealers.

With sincere dedication and hard work, Berger Paints India has completed 100 years of existence, revolutionizing the paint industry. 

Berger’s legacy has touched the lives of millions of people across the country and abroad. The company’s innovation and service excellence has allowed them to exceed customer expectations, achieving milestones successfully.

150 films from 40 countries are being screened  

New Delhi, January 29, 2025: Ambassador of the European Union, H. E. Mr. Hervé Delphin inaugurates the 11st edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY) an initiative of Smile Foundation, in New Delhi. Mr. Delphin was accompanied by festival chairman Santanu Mishra and festival director Jitendra Mishra.

Being held in partnership with the European Union (Delegation of the European Union to India), the annual film festival is being organised between Jan 28-30, 2025 at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi, in addition to over 100 locations across India in a hybrid mode. This makes SIFFCY the largest film festival in India. 

SIFFCY 2025 opened with much acclaimed Italian masterpiece, The Tiger’s Nest, directed by Brando Quilici. Young acting sensation Sunny Pawar is in the lead, who has also earned fame for his acting brilliance in Lion and Sacred Games. The Q & A session with Sunny Pawar, which followed the opening screening, made the young audience inspired and mesmerised.

The festival is also screening many widely celebrated films, such as Lampo from Poland, Doubles Match from Taiwan, Bigman from The Netherlands, Winners from Germany, Soaring Wings from India, Greetings from Mars from Germany, 7600 from Iran, A Butterfly’s Heart from Lithuania among others.

Various creative workshops and panel discussions will be held alongside screening of curated films during the festival.

Ambassador of Finland to India, H.E. Mr. Kimmo Lähdevirta; Ambassador of Lithuania to India, H.E. Ms. Diana Mickevičienė; Ambassador of Georgia to India, H. E. Mr. Vakhtang Jaoshvili; Ambassador of Ukraine to India, H.E. Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk; Director, Polish Institute, New Delhi, Ms. Małgorzata Wejsis – Gołębiak; and Director, Italian Cultural Centre, Mr. Andrea Anastasio were among the guests of honour.

The Ambassador of European Union to India, H.E. Mr. Hervé Delphin, addressing the young audience, said, “Cinema is a universal language, a language that talks to the youth. It is the means for young minds to explore and understand the world beyond their surroundings, learn about different cultures and give creativity new wings!” He added: “Europe and India stand as two incredible hubs of cinematographic creativity and culture! The European Union is happy to partner with SIFFCY again this year with films from over 15 EU countries. Starting from Delhi this show will go around cities in India with top movies for youth that will leave a trail of Smiles in its wake!”

“Good cinema can play a crucial role in shaping the young minds, and can even help fight issues such as depression, loneliness, and aggression that children and young adults are getting prone to,” said Mr. Santanu Mishra, SIFFCY Chairman, producer of ‘I am Kalam’ and Co-founder of Smile Foundation.

“We are excited to present the India premiere of the internationally celebrated cinematic masterpiece The Tiger’s Nest, directed by the brilliant Brando Quilici, at our festival this year. There’s much more in store for the Indian audience throughout the week-long event.” said Mr. Jitendra Mishra, SIFFCY Festival Director.

Poland is the country of honour, whereas Italy is the country of focus in SIFFCY 2025. A curated selection of some of the finest Polish and Italian films for the young audience is going to be presented during the festival.

The 11th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) is featuring over 150 films, that include feature films, animation, short films, and documentaries, created by professional filmmakers, children, and students from more than 40 countries. The participating countries include the USA, Australia, the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Chile, Poland, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Luxembourg, Estonia, Slovenia, Sweden, Malaysia, Argentina, Colombia, Lithuania, Brazil, Iran, Ukraine, Nepal, Romania, Serbia, Korea, Singapore, Canada, Japan, Bahrain, Cuba, and India.

Major activities, from the opening ceremony to the award ceremony, are being held at the iconic Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi on 28, 29 and 30 January 2025. Simultaneously, multiple screenings and festival-related activities are scheduled in various schools and communities across 100 locations across India. Selected programmes will also be streaming on a dedicated, secured, geo-blocked virtual platform throughout the week.

The active participation of the European Union in SIFFCY 2025 is aimed at facilitating cultural exchange between the citizens of India and the European Union countries, due to which a sense of understanding, respect and global brotherhood will be strengthened. The sense of belonging that arises between people through the exchange of culture, art and ideas is beneficial for children and youth, who will shape the future course of humanity.

SIFFCY (Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth) is an initiative by Smile Foundation (www.smilefoundationindia.org) to entertain, engage, educate and empower young minds. It is based on a strong belief that good cinema represents much more than entertainment; rather this is the most powerful medium to depict the reality and emulate values. Film becomes an interesting and engaging alternative to stimulate discussion among young people about vital personal, societal, moral and world issues. https://siffcy.org/

• Reached 4,200 beneficiaries including women, adolescents and children
• The project is set to impact the lives of over 40,000 individuals across 10 villages in Kosi Kalan
• Buddhi Mishra, District Program Officer, Mathura, graced the occasion as chief guest, emphasizing the significance of collaborative efforts

Mathura, January 21, 2025: PepsiCo India, in partnership with Smile Foundation, announced the launch of ‘Pink Smile’, a project aimed at combating anaemia and malnutrition. Focused on enhancing healthcare accessibility and availability, the initiative in its early stage has impacted 4,200 beneficiaries including women, adolescents and children. Mrs. Buddhi Mishra, District Program Officer, Mathura, graced the occasion as the chief guest in the presence of dignitaries, including Mr. Sachin Sharma, Medical Officer In-charge of the Chatta block, Mr. Naresh Kumar, Development Officer of the Chatta block, and Ms. Rukmadi, Child Development Program Officer of the Nandgaon block.

Aligned with PepsiCo India’s guiding principle, “Partnership of Progress – Unnati ki Sajhedari,” the program outreach will be conducted in collaboration with frontline workers and Aanganwadis. It will also contribute to the local administration’s efforts towards Anaemia Mukt Bharat and reducing Kuposhan (malnutrition). The ‘Pink Smile’ program aims to impact over 40,000 individuals across 10 villages in Kosi, Uttar Pradesh.

In line with the government’s mission to improve maternal and child health, the ‘Pink Smile’ project seeks to address critical gaps in healthcare delivery, primarily through Mobile Medical Units (MMU) providing curative, preventive, and promotive services. Program interventions will include anemia screening, specialized teleconsultation, and nutrition distribution, set to benefit vulnerable populations—particularly women, adolescents, and children by enhancing their health-seeking behavior and providing timely interventions for anemia and malnutrition.

Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Sustainability Head, PepsiCo India and South Asia, shared, “The ‘Pink Smile’ project embodies PepsiCo India’s ‘Partnership of Progress’, where we work alongside organizations like Smile Foundation and local bodies to create meaningful and enduring impact in communities. This initiative goes beyond addressing anemia and malnutrition; it is a step toward building a sustainable model for healthcare access with long-term benefits. Together, we are laying the foundation for a healthier, anemia-free future for women, children, and adolescents in Uttar Pradesh.”

Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Buddhi Mishra, District Program Officer, Mathura, and the chief guest for the event, said “PepsiCo India and Smile Foundation are doing commendable work through the ‘Pink Smile’ project, addressing critical issues of anemia and malnutrition in rural India. This initiative complements the government’s ongoing efforts and strengthens the healthcare systems at the grassroots level. By working together, we can ensure timely interventions and create sustainable solutions to eradicate malnutrition and anemia, improving the health and well-being.”

The project’s multi-faceted approach includes:

• Specialized teleconsultations for women, adolescents, and children, providing them with expert medical guidance remotely.
• Anaemia screening camps that will be held fortnightly, in addition to regular health camps, to identify early cases of anemia and malnutrition.
• Nutrition education and distribution, featuring low-cost high-nutrition recipes, which will empower local communities to combat malnutrition effectively.
• Establishment of kitchen gardens to promote sustainable nutrition practices within households.
• Training of frontline workers to help raise awareness and provide necessary skills to combat anemia and malnutrition within local communities.

Santanu Mishra, Co-founder of Smile Foundation, shared, “Through the collaboration with PepsiCo India, we are seeing a direct impact on the healthcare aspects of the communities we serve. The comprehensive healthcare services provided through the Mobile Medical Unit will go a long way in complementing the government’s efforts of eradicating anemia and malnutrition, especially in rural India. It is inspiring to witness how a unified approach can help bridge gaps in augmenting access to health and awareness.”

Since its inception, the project has been received with enthusiasm from local communities, with over 478 individuals screened for anemia and 214 children screened for malnutrition. The distribution of essential nutritional support has reached 125 children in the covered villages.

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organization directly benefiting over 1.5 million children and their families every year through more than a thousand welfare projects on education, healthcare, skilling, and women empowerment spread across 2,000 villages and communities in 28 states.

About PepsiCo: 

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

New Delhi; 16 Jan 2025: Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY), hosted by Smile Foundation, in partnership with the European Union (the delegation of the European Union in India) announces the official selection for its 11th edition. The annual film festival is scheduled to take place between Jan 28-30, 2025 at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi and several other locations across India in a hybrid mode, in order to reach out to maximum young Indian audience.

Major activities, from the opening ceremony to the award ceremony, will be held at the iconic Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi on 28,29 and 30 January 2025. Simultaneously, multiple screenings and festival-related activities are scheduled in various schools and communities across a hundred locations across India. Selected programmes will also be streaming on a dedicated, secured, geo-blocked virtual platform throughout the week.

Santanu Mishra, SIFFCY Chairman and Producer of the much-acclaimed film ‘I am Kalam’, says, “Childhood is the decisive phase of human life. The lessons we learn, the habits we make as children, it stays with us forever. Therefore, it is important that we sensitise our youngsters with a positive value system, early.” He adds, “Good cinema can play a crucial role in shaping the young minds, and can even help fight issues such as depression, loneliness, and aggression that children and young adults are getting prone to.”

Official Selection SIFFCY 2025

Feature films in competition:

• Lampo – The Dog who travelled by train, by Magdalena Niec, Poland
• Doubles Match, by Hung Po-Hao, Taiwan
• Bigman, by Camiel Schouwenaar, The Netherlands
• Winners, by Soleen yusef, Germany
• Soaring Wings, by Palash Das, India
• Greetings from Mars, by Sarah Winkenstette, Germany
• 7600, by Behrooz Bagheri, Iran
• A Butterfly’s Heart, by Inesa Kurklietytė, Lithuania
• The Tiger’s Nest, by Brando Quilici, Italy
• Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights, by Kari Juusonen, Jørgen Lerdam, Finland, Germany
• The boy with pink Pants, by Margherita Ferri, Italy
• Itty Bitty Princess, By Lauri Maijala, Finland
• Teacher, Veterinarian, Astronaut, by Reynaldo Escoto, Mexico

Short films in competition:

• Above the Tamarind Tree, by Buthyna Al-Mohammadi, Qatar
• Dandelions Girl, Azadeh Masihzadeh, Iran
• Ballad of the Mountain, by Tarun Jain, India
• Skin Color, by Fidel Alfonso Barboza Gómez, Sebastián Castaño, Colombia
• Travelling Past, by Rory Power-Gibb, The United Kingdom
• Skipping Rope, by Wu Meryl, Taiwan
• Who needs Teachers? by Ekal Deep Kaur, India
• Forever Seven, by Antje Heyn, Alexander Isert, Germany
• AB OVO, by Oleksandr Viken, Stas Marchenko, Ukraine

Films nominated for Next-Gen Award (Films made by Students)

• A Dragon in name only, New Zealand
• And the boy was a bird, India
• Bedtime Guardian, The United Kingdom
• Cut the Tie, Greece
• I am Mutya and I Thank You! The Philippines
• Until the bell rings, Colombia
• The Day you were gone, France
• What is A.D.H.D, China
• Rebell, India

Poland is the country of honour, whereas Italy is the country of focus in SIFFCY 2025. A curated selection of some of the finest Polish and Italian films for the young audience is going to be presented during the festival.

Jitendra Mishra, SIFFCY Festival Director says, “We have carefully selected films from a diverse range of genres and countries of origin, ensuring that each one offers a unique narrative. Most of the feature films will have their Indian premiere at our festival, with some even making their world debut. We hope our efforts will not only showcase the best of global cinema but also inspire young audiences to think critically, broaden their horizons, and foster a deeper appreciation for the cultural, social, and emotional stories that shape our world.”

The 11th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) will feature over 150 films, that include feature films, animation, short films, and documentaries, created by professional filmmakers, children, and students from more than 40 countries. The participating countries include the USA, Australia, the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Chile, Poland, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Luxembourg, Estonia, Slovenia, Sweden, Malaysia, Argentina, Colombia, Lithuania, Brazil, Iran, China, Russia, Ukraine, Nepal, Romania, Serbia, Korea, Singapore, Canada, Japan, Bahrain, Cuba, and India.

The selected films will be showcased in five distinct sections, viz. International Competition (both feature and short films), 70MM Smile (World Panorama), The Yellow Carpet (Indian Showcase), Next-Gen (Films made by film students), and Take One (Films made by children).

The festival will also host prestigious awards such as the ECFA Award (European Children’s Film Association), CIFEJ Award (formed under UNESCO), and the Film Critics Circle of India Award (FCCI).

SIFFCY is an initiative of Smile Foundation to entertain, engage, educate and empower young minds. It is based on a strong belief that good cinema represents much more than entertainment; rather this is the most powerful medium to depict the reality and emulate values. Film becomes an interesting and engaging alternative to stimulate discussion among young people about vital personal, societal, moral and world issues. https://siffcy.org/

Bhubaneswar; 18 Nov 2024: Odisha-born Santanu Mishra, producer of iconic movie “I Am Kalam” received two awards, for films based on real-life stories, during the 34^th Odisha State Films Awards organised by the Dept. of Culture, Govt. of Odisha, in Bhubaneswar. Honourable Governor of Odisha, Sh. Raghubar Das and Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Smt. Pravati Parida graced the award function along with other dignitaries. 

‘Manayun’: My Wonderland, produced by Santanu Mishra was adjudged the Best Documentary Movie. The movie showcases the real-life journey of an Odia youth from Kutia Kondh tribe in rural Kalahandi who travels down to southern India in search of livelihood. His struggle makes him realize the importance of education and he vows to do something back home. He returns to his native village to open a free school for the local children, becoming its first teacher despite his own financial challenges.

Manayun has earned accolades in Durban International Film Festival, South Africa; MICE International Film Festival, CUBA; Mostra International Film Festival, Valencia, Spain; Peace and Coexistence Short Film Festival (PCSFF), Iraq; Lift-Off Filmmaker Session, UK; Kinofestival, Light of the World, Russia; Lamatatena, Mexico; among others.

Another film “Torch”, produced by Santanu Mishra received the Special Jury Award. This film is set in a remote village near the famous Konark sun temple in Odisha, on the life of a poor farmer’s son who is amazed by the advent of technology in their lives after the arrival of a steel torch to their home. The boy suffers from a condition in his legs and it prevents him from leading a normal life. This pushes him into depression. However, arrival of a mere torch rekindles his interest in life. He becomes an inspiration in the vicinity. The film is based on a real-life story.

Torch and Manayun were the only two nominations from India for Durban International Film Festival Audience Award in South Africa. Torch has also been part of many prestigious film festivals across Europe, South America and Asia.

Both the films are directed by Pranab Kumar Aich, a young director from Odisha.

After making the iconic movie ‘I Am Kalam’, Santanu Mishra has carried forward the legacy by making numerous award-winning documentaries and short films, besides establishing an international film festival called SIFFCY (Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth) as its chairman.

I Am Kalam travelled to 60 countries, winning some 40 awards in various categories, that includes the National Film Award for the lead actor.

SIFFCY has completed its 10 editions and it is known for its curation of handpicked films for children and youth from across the world. Its major focus is on sensitising and inspiring the youth, bringing out inspirational stories and channelizing the energy and enthusiasm of children and youth into a positive direction.

“I believe that films are the most powerful medium to depict reality and emulate values. A single good film has the potential to stimulate discussion and contemplation among young people about personal, emotional, societal, moral and other pressing issues enabling them to become better and stronger individuals,” said Santanu Mishra.

Santanu Mishra was born in Odisha’s Sambalpur. After completing his B. Com, he moved to Delhi and became an associate member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. Later he completed his management education from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). At the peak of his corporate career, he quit his fulltime job and started Smile Foundation along with his friends to give back to the society.

Both the protagonists of the award-winning movies have been supported by Smile Foundation after knowing their real-life struggles. Later, their inspiring journeys were made into films.

 The European Union Film Festival (EUFF), in collaboration with Smile Foundation, brings back “Bachpan” — a special day curated for young audiences

New Delhi; 14th of Nov. 2024: The European Union Film Festival (EUFF), in association with Smile Foundation, dedicated a day specially curated for young Indian audiences, titled “Bachpan”, during the ongoing 10-day festival in New Delhi.

The acclaimed Swedish film UFO Sweden, directed by Victor Danell, opened the special “Bachpan” day. In addition, a storyboard-making workshop for children was conducted by celebrated Czech storyboard artist Kurt Van der Basch, known for his work on Star Wars, Jurassic World, and Brahmastra.

EUFF celebrates the Indo-European partnership through culture, art, and cinema. The 2024 edition offers a captivating journey through the rich diversity of European cinema, showcasing original storytelling, a wide range of genres and formats, and fresh perspectives from emerging and independent filmmakers.

SIFFCY (Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth), an initiative by Smile Foundation, aims to entertain, engage, educate, and empower young minds. Rooted in the belief that cinema is more than mere entertainment, SIFFCY views it as a powerful medium for portraying reality and instilling values. This year, SIFFCY celebrated its 10th edition in a hybrid format, with screenings held both physically and on a dedicated, secure, geo-blocked virtual platform.

International cinema can introduce young minds to a world of new ideas, serving as a powerful tool to foster empathy, promote positive values, and help build a more inclusive society. Bachpan is designed to guide young audiences in this direction, offering fresh perspectives and allowing them to explore their interests.

Speaking about Bachpan, Ms. Ewa Suwara, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation, remarked, “With a program like Bachpan, our goal is to guide young minds towards a creative approach to work and life while introducing them to the power of storytelling. We also aim to expose them to diverse cultures and foster a true understanding of inclusivity.”

The European Union Film Festival shares this vision, curating films that act as gateways across space and time. Harnessing the extraordinary communicative power of cinema, the festival creates a platform for listening, sharing, and fostering intercultural dialogue that transcends both physical and virtual boundaries.

Mr. Santanu Mishra, chairman of SIFFCY and Co-founder of Smile Foundation, expressed, “Good cinema becomes an interesting and engaging alternative to stimulate discussion among young people about vital personal, societal, moral, and world issues. We value this collaboration with the EUFF that has brought valuable creative and intellectual treasure to our young audience.”

SIFFCY Director Mr. Jitendra Mishra said, “This has been an honour for SIFFCY to continue a longstanding and fruitful association with the European Union Film Festival. Our partnerships have helped bring the best of children’s films, innovative ideas, and invaluable creative skills, especially from the European regions, benefiting hundreds of thousands of children and youth across India.”

About the European Union (EU): The EU, which consists of 27 countries, has the world’s largest economy and its third largest population, after China and India. Though richly diverse, the countries that make up the EU (its ‘Member States’) are all committed to the same basic values: peace, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. They have set up common institutions so that decisions on matters of joint interest can be made democratically at the European level. By creating a frontier-free single market and a single currency (the euro), which has been adopted by 20 Member States, the EU has given a significant boost to trade and employment. It is also at the forefront of policies on sustainability. 

EU-India relations: For over 60 years, the European Union and India have collaborated to reduce poverty, prevent disasters, protect human rights, expand trade, and promote joint research in areas

More information on the European Union Film Festival:

Website: www.euffindia.com | IG:  @euffindia | FB:  European Union Film Festival | X: @euffindia 

About Smile Foundation:

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organisation directly benefiting over 1.5 million children and their families every year through more than 400 welfare projects on education, healthcare, skilling, and women empowerment spread across 2,000 villages and urban clusters in 28 states. Visit www.smilefoundationindia.org

IG: @smilefoundationindia | FB: smilefoundation | X: @smilefoundation