INDIA: Indian filmmaker Jitendra Mishra has been elected President of the International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) for the 2025–2027 term. His unanimous and unopposed selection was supported by over 50 active members across 40 countries, reflecting a broad international endorsement of his work in youth-oriented cinema.
CIFEJ, originally founded in 1955 under the auspices of UNESCO, is one of the oldest global organizations dedicated to promoting educational and culturally diverse audio-visual content for children and youth. Headquartered in Athens, Greece, the organization is hosted by the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre – Creative Greece S.A., under Creative Hub GR.
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Mishra brings years of experience to the role, including his ongoing work as Festival Director of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY), an initiative of Smile Foundation. SIFFCY focuses on using cinema to educate, engage, and raise awareness among young viewers, blending entertainment with social responsibility.
The newly elected CIFEJ board under Mishra’s presidency includes representatives from across the globe:
- Pamela Bisson (Canada)
- Doros Demetriou (Cyprus)
- Huang Jun (China)
- Anis Lassoued (Tunisia)
- Emma Pendiuc (Romania)
- Elham Shrivani (Iran)
- Mitsuo Tahira (Japan)
In addition, Vassilis Karamitsanis from Greece will serve as Secretary General, while Irene Andriopoulou, also from Greece, will take on the role of Executive Director.
Commenting on the development, Santanu Mishra, Chairman of SIFFCY and Co-Founder of Smile Foundation, emphasized the transformative potential of visual media for young minds. He stated that initiatives like CIFEJ play an important role in shaping thoughtful and empathetic global citizens through storytelling and film.
CIFEJ Secretary General Vassilis Karamitsanis highlighted the organization’s recent relocation to Athens as a new chapter, aiming to strengthen high-quality children’s content in Greece and beyond.
Speaking on his appointment, Jitendra Mishra expressed gratitude for the collective trust placed in him by the CIFEJ members, adding that the presidency represents a shared commitment to empowering youth through meaningful, globally diverse cinema.
The International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) is a global network of media professionals promoting the creation and dissemination of educational, artistic, and culturally significant content for young audiences. Since its founding in Brussels in 1955, the organization has had headquarters in Paris, Montreal, Iran, and now Athens.
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