The Polish Institute in New Delhi will participate in the 11th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth, which will be held from 28 January to 3 February at Sirifort Auditorium in New Delhi.

The festival will feature over 150 films, including feature films, animation, short films, and documentaries, created by professional filmmakers, children, and students from more than 50 countries.

Poland will be the Country of Honour of this coming edition and the following films from Poland will be presented:

“Triple Trouble” ( 2020, 87’ min) directed by Marta Karwowska, 28.01 at 2 pm

When the crown jewel of the collection – “The Beach in Pourville” by Claude Monet –disappears from the National Museum in Poznań and Julka’s aunt is falsely accused of the theft, the kids must find the painting and reveal the identity of the true thief. The perfect duo starts investigating, but Felka, a crazy 12-year-old, appears there too, followed by troubles. The story of jealousy and trust intertwines with solving a criminal mystery. “Triple Trouble” is a story for the entire family, saying that you cannot truly believe in your friend unless you believe in yourself, and that friendship being put to the test may become even stronger.

“The Dog who travelled by train” (2023, 98’ min) directed by Magdalena Nieć, 30.01 at 1 pm

The life of Zuzia, whose dad Piotr works in the rail, is changed beyond all recognition when Lampo, an extraordinary travelling dog, comes into her life. The unique sheepdog, whose train journeys become an Internet sensation, immediately turns into the best friend to the girl with a heart condition. Unfortunately, the manager, envious of Lampo’s fame, tries everything to remove the dog from his station. Once he succeeds, Zuzia, separated from her beloved companion, falls ill. Even though everyone tries to help her, it soon becomes clear that only the dog’s affection and friendship can be the cure that the girl so desperately needs.

The following Polish short animations will be screened on 29th January from 1-3 pm:

“A great worry” (2023, 6’ min) directed by Zbigniew Kotecki

One clever and bumptious Sparrow meets in the savannah a lonely and sad Rhino who wants to fly like birds. The Sparrow, using his experience, urges the Rhino to learn to fly. The attempts end with a spectacular disaster, the biggest splash in the world after the Rhino falls to lake, and the mud floods savannah. The disappointed Rhino cries and sighs with regret, and ashamed and discouraged Sparrow abandons his new friend. The Rhino’s sobs mean that it is always raining, so other animals run away into the savannah…

“Ole-Luk-Oie”, (2021 13’ min) directed by Joanna Jasińska Koronkiewicz

Ole Lukøje – an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale is a magical journey into the land of sleep and imagination. An attempt to tame the phenomenon of dreams, childish (and not only) fear of night and death. When Hjalmar falls asleep, Ole-Luk-Oie comes down from the moon and sits on the bedside. He invites Hjalmar on a journey through his dreams. He turns his room into a forest where, like birds, Hjalmar’s books and notebooks are flying. Another time, Ole brings a swallow, which takes Hjalmar on a sky expedition to the clouds and they fly to the moon at night. One day Ole introduces Hjalmar to his brother, who comes to everyone on earth only once…

“There once was – There is no more – There is” (2024, 15′ min) by Karina Paciorkowska, Łukasz Kamil Kamiński

Together with the 12-year-old heroine Krysia, we go on a journey through places and times that were, that are not, and that we want to remember. The film, based on a story by Katarzyna Jackowska-Enemuo, supports young viewers in meeting their own emotional “black holes” and brings relief. The film deals with the topic of experiencing difficult emotions related to the loss of loved ones and coping with them.

The festival will host the prestigious ECFA – European Children’s Film Association. Among the Jury Panel for the ECFA AWARD, there will be Polish film commissioner, director KINOLUB, Ms. Marta Kraus.

In the the Jury Panel for International Competition Feature Films, the Smile Foundation will host award-winning filmmaker, and editor from Poland Ms. Marta Karwowska.

The screening schedule of the festival can be found here:

Entry for the screenings is free,  pre-registration is required, email at info@siffcy.org, T&C Applied)

For more information, please visit: www.siffcy.org