UNESCO-Backed CIFEJ Elects Indian Filmmaker Jitendra Mishra as President

Renowned Indian filmmaker Jitendra Mishra has been elected as the President of the UNESCO-supported International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) for the 2025–2027 term. This election, which saw Mishra triumph without opposition, garnered the support of over 50 active members from 40 countries—signifying an overwhelming endorsement of his vision and leadership.

Mishra, known for his influential role as the Festival Director of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY), has long been a proponent of using cinema to engage, educate, and empower young audiences. Through SIFFCY, an initiative of Smile Foundation, he has championed the role of film as a medium for raising awareness and effecting social change.

Founded in 1955 under the auspices of UNESCO, CIFEJ has been at the forefront of promoting culturally relevant, educational content for young people. With its headquarters now in Athens, Greece, following a relocation from Brussels, Belgium, the organization continues to drive initiatives that amplify youth-centered cinema globally. Mishra's re-election reflects his commitment to strengthening CIFEJ’s global platform, ensuring that youth-centric films maintain their place as powerful tools for education and social transformation.

The newly elected board under Mishra’s leadership includes distinguished members from across the globe: Pamela Bisson (Canada), Doros Demetriou (Cyprus), Huang Jun (China), Anis Lassoued (Tunisia), Emma Pendiuc (Romania), Elham Shrivani (Iran), and Mitsuo Tahira (Japan). Greek representatives Vassilis Karamitsanis and Irene Andriopoulou will also play pivotal roles as Secretary General and Executive Director, respectively.

Santanu Mishra, Chairman of SIFFCY and Co-Founder of Smile Foundation, emphasized the transformative power of cinema in shaping young minds. “Good cinema can stimulate reflection on personal, societal, and moral responsibilities,” he remarked. “Through its ability to foster empathy, it helps nurture stronger global citizens. Our support for CIFEJ is rooted in the belief that it will drive positive change among young people worldwide.”

In a statement, CIFEJ’s new Secretary General, Vassilis Karamitsanis, noted the significance of the organization's move to Athens, a shift that is expected to herald a new era for CIFEJ and bolster Greece’s efforts to elevate high-quality children’s audiovisual content.

Expressing his gratitude, Jitendra Mishra said, “I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me. This victory is not just personal but a collective step towards empowering young minds through meaningful cinema. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Smile Foundation for their steadfast support, and I look forward to advancing our shared mission of using film to inspire, educate, and celebrate cultural diversity on a global scale.”