The 9th annual international children’s film festival is currently undergoing in Dhaka, Sylhet and Rajshahi divisions, reports UNB.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith inaugurated the festival on 23 January while Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor was the special guest.

The festival commenced with the screening of German movie, My Friend Raffi.

Organisers of the festival have designated buses this year to pick students up from different schools in the capital, so that they can easily reach the venue after class.

This year over 150 films will be screened, including competitions in a number of categories, followed by a workshop, a seminar and other activities.

The Finance Ministry has allocated Tk. 10 lakh for the festival, while Cultural Affairs Ministry and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy have provided Tk. 3 lakh and and 1 lakh, said the organisers.

There will be a competition for Bangladeshi children filmmakers where 33 films by Bangladeshi children will be screened. Of these 33 films, five will receive awards.

A five-member jury board has been formed comprising children and teenagers for the category.

The festival will run till 29 January.