Hyderabad, December 31, 2025 – The Instructional Media Centre (IMC), Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), is set to host the Special Editions of the Culture Cinema Film Festival (C2F2) and KidzCINEMA International Children’s Film Festival from 1st to 3rd January 2026 at the IMC Preview Theatre, MANUU Campus, Gachibowli.
The 3-day international film festival will showcase a carefully curated selection of children’s films and world cinema from more than ten countries, offering students, educators, and cinephiles a rich cultural and educational experience. The inaugural function will be held at 11:00 a.m. on 1st January 2026 at the IMC Preview Theatre, MANUU, Hyderabad.
The opening film on 1st January 2026 will be The Adventures of Princess Mirabilis from Angola, reflecting the festival’s emphasis on global storytelling and cross-cultural perspectives.
The event is being organised by the Instructional Media Centre, MANUU, in association with C2F2 and KidzCINEMA Film Festival, internationally recognised platforms dedicated to promoting meaningful cinema, children’s film culture, and intercultural dialogue.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, MANUU, observed, “the festival would provide students with exposure to global storytelling traditions and help develop creative, critical, and cultural sensibilities among young audiences. He emphasised that cinema is a powerful medium for learning and cultural exchange.”
Prof. Sk. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Registrar, MANUU, stated, “the festival reflects the university’s commitment to holistic education and experiential learning, noting that such initiatives enrich the academic environment by introducing students to diverse perspectives through meaningful cinema.”
The festival is being curated under the guidance of Mr. Rizwan Ahmad, Director, Instructional Media Centre, who highlighted, “the primary objective of hosting the festival is to promote quality cinema among students and encourage an appreciation of global narratives, cultures, and artistic expression. He further noted that the festival would also serve as a platform for dialogue on cinema as an educational and social tool.”
Mr. Praveen Nagda, Festival Director, KidzCINEMA and C2F2, expressed, “KidzCINEMA and C2F2 were conceived as platforms that use cinema to nurture empathy, curiosity, and cultural awareness among young audiences and communities. Hosting the Special Editions at MANUU is particularly meaningful, as universities play a critical role in shaping socially conscious viewers. This festival brings together stories from across the world, encouraging dialogue, inclusion, and a deeper understanding of diverse cultures through the shared language of cinema.”
Mr. Nagda will attend the festival as the Guest of Honour. The programme will feature films from Angola, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, and Spain, reflecting the festival’s strong international character and commitment to cultural diversity.
All screenings are free and open to students, faculty members, and film enthusiasts. Through this initiative, MANUU continues to strengthen its commitment to cultural exchange, creative learning, and the promotion of meaningful cinema.
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