SIFFCY 2026
A SMILE FOUNDATION
INITIATIVE
The 12th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY), hosted by Smile Foundation, was held in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to India, with support from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. SIFFCY 2026 celebrated Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility through the power of meaningful cinema.
Scheduled from 28 January to 3 February 2026 in New Delhi and across multiple locations nationwide, this year’s edition featured Poland as the Country of Honour and the Netherlands as the Country of Focus.
Designed as a hybrid festival, SIFFCY 2026 engaged both in-person and virtual audiences. Key events, including the opening and award ceremonies, were held at the PHD House Auditoriums, New Delhi, from January 28 to 31, 2026. Alongside this, screenings and related outreach activities took place throughout the week across multiple locations in India in collaboration with local schools and community partners. A curated selection of films were also available on SIFFCY’s secure, geo-blocked virtual platform, enabling wider national and international participation throughout the week.
FESTIVAL THEME: INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, ACCESSIBILITY & EQUITY
This year, SIFFCY championed the values of Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility, and Equity, with the support of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The festival celebrates cinema as a transformative medium that nurtures empathy and gives voice to diverse perspectives, while ensuring that every young person—irrespective of ability or background—can access enriching cultural experiences.
In alignment with this theme, a dedicated day featuring multiple workshops and panel discussions was organized to encourage dialogue, awareness, and inclusive engagement. Through powerful films and meaningful conversations, SIFFCY continues its journey toward shaping a more compassionate, inclusive, and equitable future.
FOCUS NETHERLANDS
Each year, SIFFCY spotlights a nation through a dedicated country focus. The 12th edition presented Focus Netherlands, celebrating the best of Dutch cinema for young audiences, curated in partnership with the Embassy of the Netherlands, New Delhi. This initiative fosters cultural exchange by showcasing stories that reflect shared values, traditions, and creative expression through cinema.
COUNTRY OF HONOR: POLAND
SIFFCY 2026 proudly honoured Poland as the Country of Honor. In collaboration with the Polish Institute, New Delhi, the festival hostd a special Polish Day, featuring multiple Polish films and engaging sessions throughout the week. This ongoing partnership reflects SIFFCY’s commitment to strengthening cultural ties through cinematic dialogue.
CELEBRATING GERMAN, FINNISH AND CZECH CINEMA
Continuing its association with SCHLINGEL International Film Festival, Germany, SIFFCY brings a handpicked selection of German films for Indian audiences. The festival also partners with the Embassy of Finland in India to present a curated showcase of Finnish cinema. And Embassy of the Czech Republic to curate films from the country.
Watch this space for the detailed schedule of the 12th edition of the festival.
Background
SIFFCY is the flagship initiative of Smile Foundation, one of India’s leading charitable organizations, dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering young minds through meaningful cinema. Alongside film screenings, the festival offers workshops, panel discussions, masterclasses, and interactive sessions. Each year, SIFFCY attracts thousands of filmmakers, professionals, and cinephiles from across the world, with over 50,000 young attendees at physical venues.
In 2026, the festival reached over 500,000 young audiences across 100+ locations in India simultaneously through its week-long festival. The festival showcased 150+ films from 50+ countries and organised 20+ workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions. Over 50 national and international industry professionals from 12 countries participated in person, alongside 90+ young jurors from 9 countries, making the festival truly global in spirit.
(For more information, visit www.smilefoundationindia.org | www.siffcy.org)
CIFEJ AWARD
Audio-visual Producer, Cultural Promoter, Founder of the International Film Festival for Children and Young People – Festicinekids Cartagena
Audiovisual producer, cultural promoter, and founder of the International Film Festival for Children and Young People – Festicinekids Cartagena. With over 25 years of experience in film, television, tourism, and event management, he has dedicated his career to promoting children’s film culture and the historical heritage of Cartagena.
As director of the Festicinekids Foundation, he has promoted human values education through film, achieving international recognition and serving as a jury member at festivals in Norway, Puerto Rico, India, Tunisia, and Canada.
In parallel, he has worked as a field producer and project planner for national and international productions, collaborating with brands such as Bergdorf Goodman, J.Crew, Estudio F, Yanbal, and Bloomingdale’s, as well as on feature films like The Black Pirate, Green Cobra, Nostromo, Love in the Times of Cholera, and commercials shot in Colombia.
A certified bilingual tour guide and master of ceremonies, Gerardo combines his filmmaking experience with his deep knowledge of Cartagena’s history and culture, offering unique and memorable experiences to visitors from around the world.
Filmmaker, President China Children’s Film Association
Huang Jun , a film director, screenwriter, producer, and executive producer. He is the founder of China Film Animation Ltd. and previously served as the Executive Director and General Manager of the company, as well as the Director of China Children’s Film Studio. Currently, he is the President of the China Children’s Film Association and a member of both the China Film Association and the China Film Directors Guild.
Head of the Podkarpackie Film Commission and Film Fund
Marta Kraus – in the years 2010-2014 the director of the Children’s Film Festival in Krakow, in subsequent years the director of the KINOLUB International Film Festival for Children and Youth. She has many years of experience in project management and consulting in the audio-visual, educational and social development sectors. Since 2016 in charge of the Podkarpackie Film Commission and Podkarpackie Regional Film Fund, responsible for the international promotion of the region’s film potential and the establishment and growth of local creative industry. Co-producer of over 20 feature films, including three Oscar nominees (Cold War, dir. Paweł Pawlikowski, Corpus Christi, dir. Jan Komasa and EO, dir. Jerzy Skolimowski), and over 50 documentaries.