The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) continues its meaningful partnership with UNICEF for the fourth consecutive year, presenting a special showcase titled “Five Films, One Universal Story.” This curated selection celebrates childhood through powerful narratives from Egypt, India, South Korea, and Kosovo, highlighting resilience, imagination, and children’s rights.
Since the collaboration began in 2022, IFFI and UNICEF have worked together to bring global attention to the dreams, struggles, and hopes of children through cinema.
The Five Featured Films
- Happy Birthday (Egypt) – A moving tale of a young maid in Cairo who fights inequality to celebrate her friend’s birthday.
- Kadal Kanni (India – Tamil) – A fantasy-tinged story of orphaned children who find hope through imagination.
- Putul (India – Hindi) – A sensitive portrait of a child navigating her parents’ divorce and emotional turmoil.
- The Beetle Project (South Korea) – Children across the Korean border connect through curiosity and friendship.
- The Odyssey of Joy (Kosovo, France) – A boy in post-war Kosovo discovers healing and joy through a clown troupe.
Why It Matters
This UNICEF × IFFI showcase highlights the universal spirit of childhood — their creativity, emotional worlds, and resilience. It also reinforces global concerns about child rights, mental health, inclusion, and conflict.
Event Details
Festival: International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
Edition: 56th
Dates: November 20–28, 2025
Organizers: Ministry of I&B, NFDC, ESG
Themes: Child rights, imagination, emotional well-being, global unity
Through these films, IFFI and UNICEF remind the world that every child’s story deserves to be seen, heard, and protected.
