Children's Film Society India (CFSI) was a nodal organization of
Government of India
The Government of India (ISO: ; often abbreviated as GoI), known as the Union Government or Central Government but often simply as the Centre, is the national government of the Republic of India, a federal democracy located in South Asia, c ...
that produced
children's films and various TV programs in various Indian languages. Established in 1955, CFSI functioned under the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,
Government of India
The Government of India (ISO: ; often abbreviated as GoI), known as the Union Government or Central Government but often simply as the Centre, is the national government of the Republic of India, a federal democracy located in South Asia, c ...
and was headquartered in
Mumbai
Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...
.
In March 2022, it was merged with
National Film Development Corporation.
History
The concept of an exclusive cinema for
India's children was mooted by its first Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (; ; ; 14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964) was an Indian anti-colonial nationalist, secular humanist, social democrat—
*
*
*
* and author who was a central figure in India during the middle of the 20t ...
, and Children's Film Society, India (CFSI) was founded on 11 May 1955 with
Hriday Nath Kunzru as its first president. The first film produced by CFSI was ''Jaldeep'' (1956), an adventure film directed by
Kidar Sharma also starring
Mala Sinha
Alda Sinha (born 11 November 1936), better known by her stage name Mala Sinha is a former Indian actress who has worked in Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films. Initially starting her career with regional cinema, she went on to become a top leading ...
.
[Children's Film Society of India, Film: Jaldeep]
The Chairperson of CFSI was selected for a duration of three years, and over the years, several notable personalities have remained Chairperson of CFSI including
Sai Paranjpye
Sai or SAI may refer to:
Companies
* Science Applications Incorporated, original name of Leidos
* ICAO designator for Shaheen Air, a Pakistani airline
* Skandinavisk Aero Industri, a former Danish aeroplane manufacturer
* Software Architects, Inc ...
(twice),
Nafisa Ali (2005–2008),
Nandita Das
Nandita Das (born 7 November 1969) is an Indian actress and director. She has acted in over 40 feature films in ten different languages. Das appeared in the films ''Fire'' (1996), ''Earth'' (1998), '' Bawandar'' (2000), '' Kannathil Muthamittal' ...
.
(2008–2012),
Amol Gupte
Amole Gupte (born c. 1962) is an Indian screenwriter, actor, and director, known for his work on the 2007 Bollywood film ''Taare Zameen Par (Like Stars on Earth)'' as creative director and screenwriter. He conceived the film along with his wife ...
(2012-2015) and
Mukesh Khanna
Mukesh Khanna (born 23 June 1958) is an Indian actor, talk show host and producer who works in Hindi language films and television shows. He is best known for his portrayal of Shaktimaan, the superhero character in ''Shaktimaan'' (1997–2005) ...
(2015-2018).
Activities
CFSI produced feature films and short films for children in various languages of India. It organized subsidized shows and distributed film prints. In the last 52 years CFSI had made 114 feature films, 45 short animations, 9 puppet films, as well as 52 short documentaries and news magazines. CFSI also organized an
International Children's Film Festival held every alternate year in India. The films produced by CFSI had participated in many film festivals all over the world and had won many awards.
"Awards won by CFSI films" – CFSI
Selected Filmography
See also
* National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC)
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Film organisations in India
Organisations based in Mumbai
Film production companies based in Mumbai
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)
1955 establishments in Bombay State
Government agencies established in 1955
Producers who won the Best Children's Film National Film Award
Youth in India