Festival continues to delight children

LAHORE:

As Gruffalo’s daughter ventured into the deep dark forest in search of the Big Bad Mouse against her father’s wishes, the young audiences gasped, shrieked and laughed as they watched her adventures unfold in the 26-minute animated film The Gruffalo’s Child screened on the fourth day of the Lahore International Children’s Film Festival (LICFF).

Based on a children’s picture book, the film revolves around an inquisitive young Gruffalo, who wants to explore the forest despite being warned against it.

“I have already seen this film but never on a big screen,” said Ayesha, who came to the screenings with her class.

Students of the Roots School System made their second appearance at the festival. The students from grades 1 to 7 were queued outside Hall 2 for the first show in the morning.

The shows are categorised by age groups but young Zainab, a grade 6 student, was unaware it.

“I thought it would be for older children,” she said. “Lots of animations were for younger ones.”

Fifteen were screened on the fourth day of the festival. Of these, two were made in Pakistan.

“Last year we received one entry from Pakistan,” said festival director Shoaib Iqbal. “This time we are showing 12 Pakistani films.”

Iqbal said the entries from Pakistan had improved. He hoped that the trend would continue.

A tale of dreams and ambitions was narrated in a 15-minute animated film from Germany titled Stoneflies.

Built around stoneflies - small creatures with small wings - the film tells the story of a young stonefly male who wishes to fly despite his physical limitations.

It sets out on a journey to seek the answer, leaving his family behind on a small island.

The six-minute animated film Spycat and Paper Chase, a production from Singapore, was screened for children below the age of 12.

The animation features a cat, Spycat and his nemesis Captain Chico.

The festival will continue till September 21.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2013.