SIFFCY 2026
A SMILE FOUNDATION
INITIATIVE
The 12th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY), hosted by Smile Foundation, will be 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 celebrates 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 features Poland as the Country of Honour and the Netherlands as the Country of Focus.
Designed as a hybrid festival, SIFFCY 2026 will engage both in-person and virtual audiences. Key events, including the opening and award ceremonies, will be held at the PHD House Auditoriums, New Delhi, from January 28 to 31, 2026. Alongside this, screenings and related outreach activities will take place throughout the week across multiple locations in India in collaboration with local schools and community partners. A curated selection of films will also be 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 champions 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 will be 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 presents 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 honors Poland as the Country of Honor. In collaboration with the Polish Institute, New Delhi, the festival will host 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.
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 aims to reach an even wider audience, targeting over one million virtual viewers.
(For more information, visit www.smilefoundationindia.org | www.siffcy.org)
INT'L COMP FEATURE
Artistic Director of Ale Kino! Festival.
Marta Jodko studied Art History at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. She has been working as a programmer at the International Young Audience Film Festival Ale Kino!, Biennial Art for Children, and the Children’s part of the Animated Film Festival Animator since 2010. Since 2022, she has been the main coordinator of Ale Kino! and a board member of the ECFA. Since 2024, she has been the Artistic Director of Ale Kino! Festival.
Festival Director SCHLiNGEL IFF
Michael Harbaueris devoted to films since his early childhood. In 1996, he initiated the International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience SCHLINGEL. What was originally launched as a film week with not more than twelve films, is now one of the most comprehensive platforms for international and national children’s and youth films in Germany. Furthermore, Michael Harbauer is film supervisor at the important regulating institutions and advisory boards for film, cinema and television in Germany. He has also been member of several international festival juries and curated German film programmes abroad.
Media Leader, Journalist, Academician, Director-India Habitat Center, New Delhi
Prof. (Dr.) K.G. Suresh is a distinguished Indian media leader, journalist, and academician, known for transforming institutions like the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and Makhanlal Chaturvedi University (MCU) and currently serving as Director of the India Habitat Centre (IHC), with extensive experience in media education, policy, and industry, holding roles like Professor Emeritus at Apeejay Education and President of the Global Media Education Council. He’s recognized for introducing Indian language journalism programs, implementing NEP 2020 in media education, and receiving awards like the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award.