The 12th Kolkata International Children’s Film Festival has officially started and will run from January 23 to January 29, 2026. This year, the festival has brought a special treat for young viewers with the ‘Russian Film Days India 2026’ segment. Organized by ROSKINO with support from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, this event aims to introduce Indian children to contemporary Russian animation and family cinema.
Which Russian films are being screened?
Five major Russian films have been selected for screening at the festival. These movies cover various genres including animation, comedy, and adventure, catering specifically to children and teenagers.
- The Big Trip 3: Race Around the World (2024): Directed by Vasily Rovensky, this animated adventure follows Mick-Mick the Bear on a new journey to return a baby stork delivered by mistake.
- Detective Chirp & the Golden Beehive (2022): A mystery animation by Grigory Vozhakin where Chirp the Squirrel must find the stolen Golden Beehive to save Honey Valley.
- The Dino Family (2025): Directed by Maxim Volkov, this story features a schoolboy named Phil who accidentally opens a portal to the Mesozoic era.
- Don’t Mess with Baba Yaga (2025): A magical comedy starring Svetlana Khondchenkova, where the legendary Baba Yaga hides as a nanny in the human world.
- Finnick 2 (2025): The sequel to the popular story about Finnick the house boogie, who loses his invisibility and must go on a quest to save his kind.
Where is the festival taking place?
The festival is being held across eight different venues in the city of Kolkata to ensure wide access for children and families. The screenings are scheduled at popular cultural centers including Nandan (I, II, and III), Rabindra Sadan, Sisir Mancha, Rabindra Okakura Bhavan, Rabindra Tirtha, and Chalachchitra Satabarsha Bhavan. The event will continue for a full week, concluding on January 29.
What are the other highlights of the event?
Apart from the Russian segment, the festival is showcasing a massive collection of 180 films from 32 different countries. The event is organized by the Shishu Kishore Akademi under the Information & Cultural Affairs Department. The inauguration ceremony took place at Nandan-I and was attended by notable figures including filmmaker Sandip Ray and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim. Special sections this year include a tribute to 60 years of the character Feluda and a showcase of mobile films made by children.
