UNICEF and IFFI 2025 Showcase Five Global Films Celebrating Childhood

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is back with its fourth collaboration with UNICEF, presenting a powerful cinematic tribute to the world of childhood. Titled “Five Films, One Universal Story,” this special showcase features films from Kosovo, South Korea, Egypt, and India, each echoing a universal message of resilience, creativity, and the dreams of children. Through this unique partnership, launched in 2022, IFFI and UNICEF combine cinema and conscience to bring children’s voices and stories to the fore, inspiring empathy and action for child rights and well-being.

UNICEF × IFFI: A Shared Vision of Storytelling and Social Impact

IFFI, South Asia’s oldest and most prestigious film festival, joins hands with UNICEF, the global champion of children’s rights, to present a collection of films that reflect the challenges, hopes, and inner worlds of children across diverse cultures.

The collaboration reflects a growing movement in cinema to center children’s perspectives, allowing audiences to witness their quiet battles and small victories with compassion and clarity. Whether confronting poverty, war, family strife, or political division, each film shows how children’s courage and creativity shine through adversity.

The Five Films at the Heart of the Showcase

1. Happy Birthday (Egypt)

• Language: Egyptian Arabic
• Director: Sarah Goher
• This Oscar-submitted debut tells the story of Toha, a young maid in Cairo, determined to throw a birthday party for her best friend. The film contrasts childhood innocence with social inequality, reflecting UNICEF’s core values of dignity and equal opportunity for every child.

2. Kadal Kanni (India – Tamil)

• Director: Dinesh Selvaraj
• A poetic blend of fantasy and realism, the film follows orphaned children who dream of angels and mermaids as they search for belonging. It celebrates the power of imagination as a survival tool, affirming every child’s right to be seen, heard, and cared for.

3. Putul (India – Hindi)

• Director: Radheshyam Pipalwa
• In this emotionally resonant drama, a seven-year-old girl caught in her parents’ divorce finds refuge with her friends and grandfather. The film explores child mental health and family fractures, aligning with UNICEF’s advocacy for emotional support and safe family environments.

4. The Beetle Project (South Korea)

• Director: Jin Kwang-kyo
• A beetle crossing the border between North and South Korea becomes a symbol of connection in this heartwarming story. Children on both sides of the divide find wonder and friendship, echoing UNICEF’s belief in the healing power of empathy and curiosity.

5. The Odyssey of Joy (Kosovo, France)

• Languages: Albanian, English, French, Romany
• Director: Zgjim Terziqi
• Set in post-war Kosovo, this film follows Lis, an 11-year-old boy grappling with grief who finds hope through a clown troupe. It captures childhood’s quiet strength in the aftermath of conflict, resonating with UNICEF’s vision of joy, healing, and protection for all children.

Why This Showcase Matters

The UNICEF × IFFI partnership underscores cinema’s potential as a tool for advocacy and awareness. These five films share more than just stories — they reflect the diverse realities of children, from Cairo to Chennai, Seoul to Kosovo, encouraging reflection on,

• Equity and inclusion
• Children’s mental health
• Education, imagination, and resilience
• Global solidarity through storytelling

Each narrative illustrates that while children may face vastly different environments, their dreams, pain, and laughter speak a universal language.

About IFFI: India’s Festival of Global Cinema

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is jointly hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG). The 56th edition, running from November 20–28, 2025, in Goa, promises a stunning line-up of world cinema, masterclasses, and industry events, including the vibrant WAVES Film Bazaar.

Static Facts

• Event: UNICEF × IFFI Film Showcase
• Occasion: 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa
• Date: November 20–28, 2025
• UNICEF × IFFI Collaboration Started: 2022
• Number of Films Featured in 2025: 5
• IFFI Founded: 1952
• Organized by: Ministry of I&B, NFDC, ESG (Govt. of Goa)
• Film Languages Represented: Tamil, Hindi, Korean, Egyptian Arabic, Albanian, Romany, English, French
• Themes Highlighted: Child rights, resilience, imagination, emotional well-being, peace and conflict