Mumbai, April, 2014:
Kaphal- The Wild Berries produced by Children's Film Society, India (CFSI) has won the best children's film award in the 61st National Film Awards announced on April 16.
The CEO of Children's Film Society, India, Dr. Shravan Kumar who is very pleased at the news says, “It gives me immense joy and great sense of satisfaction that CFSI film 'Kaphal - Wild Berries' has won the prestigious Swarna Kamal - "Best Children's Film" Award at 61st National Film Award 2013.We are happy that our efforts towards making films for children provide them healthy and wholesome entertainment has been appreciated."
He adds, "It has been a constant endeavour to raise the level of quality children’s films which meets the global standard. This is a perfect acknowledgement of the efforts put in by Batul and CFSI team."
Dr. Kumar who plans to take the film to the wider audience by releasing it in theatres shares, "I sincerely wish to take this film in theatres (after the release of our first film ‘Gattu’) for which the details will be announced so that children of our country can get the benefit of this wonderful film.”
The director Batul Mukhtiar says, "It is great that CFSI supports different kinds of storytelling for children without market considerations. And the National award is a validation of these efforts." She won the Golden Elephant trophy for Best Live Action Director for Kaphal at the 18th International Children’s Film Festival of India
About the film
Kaphal- The Wild Berries starring five kids from the villages of Garhwal and Uttrakhand named Harish Rana, Pawan Negi, Anuraj Negi, Ajay Rana and Anjali Negi explores the life of a small village, the small moments, the relation between children and nature, their wonder at it, the stories that they build around it, their fears and terrors and their joys. It is a simple tale, seeking to capture the sensual pleasures of childhood, with a glimpse of hard reality.
Director's Bio:
Batul Mukhtiar is a filmmaker, an alumnus of the Film & Television Institute of India,Pune. Apart from several documentary shorts, she has directed a documentary feature 150 Seconds Ago (in Bhuj) which travelled to many prestigious festivals across the world. In 2007, she directed a children's feature film, Lilkee for the Children's Film Society, India. KAPHAL-Wild Berries is her second children’s feature.
