Tamanna (left) and Mim.

The ongoing 4th International Children's Film Festival turns into a place of hope and dreams for many future filmmakers. Everyday hundreds of children attend the festival donning different hats, some as filmmakers, as delegates, volunteers or mere spectators. Whatever roles they play, at the end of the day everyone returns with a dream -- to find a niche in the world of films when they are older.
"I want to be a celebrated filmmaker when I grow up," said Sajal, who has been attending the festival as a filmmaker-delegate. Sajal is amongst 48 child filmmakers featured in the competition segment. Moreover, he is one of the 132 young delegates who have come from all over the country.
Sajal asserted that he had worked as a volunteer at two previous festivals. His aim was to learn the various aspects of cinema, especially filmmaking, and the festival was a stepping stone in that direction.
The children do not only set their sights on being filmmakers and delegates. Many, such as Meem, are volunteers at the event. Pitching in at the festival sales centre, she says that her elder sister encouraged her to participate in the festival. Of course, she adds, the festivity and gathering of so many children inspired her further.
While Meem has to interact with visitors, Ashir has a tougher job. As a volunteer, Ashir has to maintain the projection team at the Shawkat Osman auditorium, where several films are being screened everyday. Ashir said that he enjoys his role, as he learns many aspects about film projection.
On the other hand, Tamanna, who is attending the event as a delegate, joined the festival after she read about the event in a newspaper. She said, "To a large extent my parents inspired me to take part in the festival. This is the third time I'm attending the festival." Tamanna wants to participate as a filmmaker in the festival next year.
Highlights of the second day of the festival were, special screening of the films "Emil-er Goenda Bahini" and "White Balloon". "Emil-er Goenda Bahini" was screened to commemorate the late filmmaker Badal Rahman, while "White Balloon" was screened to demonstrate solidarity with the imprisoned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi.
With the theme “Future in Frames”, the 4th International Children's Film Festival began on January 22 at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library, Shahbagh in Dhaka. A total of 233 films including feature, documentaries and animations from 40 different countries are being screened at the festival. The Central Public Library is the main venue, while films are also screened at 13 others locations, including Chittagong and Rajshahi. The festival ends on January 28.