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'Animation is In an advanced world where

everything is easily available on
challenging but the internet, it becomes necessary
to filter the content, especially for
children, JOHN STEVENSON, the
director of Kung Fu Panda, tells
not impossible’ nibedita saha while talking about
cinema, life and its importance in
recent times

inema is an impactful tool in
the ear of technology. In an
advanced world where eve-
rything is easily available on
C the internet, it becomes nec-
essary to filter the content, especially for
children, believes John Stevenson, the
director of the Academy Award-nom-
inated animated film Kung Fu Panda
(2008) with Mark Osborne.
He was recently in town to attend
the Smile International Film Festival
for Children and Youth (SIFFCY). The 5th
edition of SIFFCY concluded on Decem-
ber 15 at Siri Fort Stadium, New Delhi. It
aims to bring meaningful cinema from
all over the world to impart the perspec-
tive of good cinema among young minds.
Stevenson was the part of the jury at
the seven-day festival where more than
150 cinemas have been screened. In a
personal interaction with the British
animation film-maker, he expressed his
views on the film festival and also shared
his journey of persuading animation in
the world of dominating commercial
movies.
“All visual media is extremely pow-
erful and through visuals, it is easy to • Movie buff Animation has become the best way to get into films, says star John Stevenson
get children’s attention with films and
online content that is interesting and
engaging,” said Stevenson. change in the world. and live-action, which they otherwise
Stevenson believes that children Featuring good cinema from all over will not get to see. It will be a privilege to
these days are glued to the internet, You- the world and being a part of the jury of come back again next year.”
Tube and all, so it is necessary to keep a SIFFCY, Stevenson shared his joy, said, He started his career as a puppeteer
check on what they watch. The festival “SIFFCY is really a powerful platform for and animation did not happen to him by
screened almost 150 films in over 30 dif- both distinguished as well as budding chance, he has nurtured his childhood
ferent languages from 50 countries. The filmmakers to showcase their work. It is habits of drawing and sketching. Later,
focus was on socially relevant cinema to a great platform to expose children to the for him, “animation became the best way
impact the youth and initiate a positive great international cinema — animation to get into films.”

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