CIFEJ Film Screenings - India
The Cultural Workshop Agion Omologiton invites you to a screening of two films from India: the feature film "I Am Kalam", directed by Nila Madhab Panda, and the short film "Little Big Dreams", directed by Shweta Parakh and Rakesh E. Nayar. The event is part of the "Cinema Wednesdays 2026" programme and serves as a prelude to the 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium, which will take place in Nicosia on 16 and 17 November 2026, with the participation of children's and youth cinema experts from Cyprus and abroad.
CIFEJ is hosted by EKKOMED in Athens. The programme is supported by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus - Department of Contemporary Culture.
Both films are in Hindi (and Ladakhi for the second) with English subtitles.
I Am Kalam (2010) - India
Duration: 90 minutes | Directed by: Nila Madhab Panda
Screenplay/Production: Smile Foundation
Inspired by the life and ideas of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the film tells the moving story of Chhotu, a young boy from a poor family who works at a roadside diner (dhaba) but dreams of a better future through education. Inspired by the former President of India, he adopts the name Kalam and dares to dream beyond the limits imposed by his circumstances. Through his friendship with a young prince, the film celebrates the power of education, equality, friendship and the courage to dream big.
Little Big Dreams (2026) - India
Duration: 15 minutes | Directed by: Shweta Parakh, Rakesh E. Nayar and the children of PM Shri Govt. School Leh
Production: Jitendra Mishra (Cinema4good Pvt Ltd., Purple Peoples Lab, Hurray Films)
A lively girl from Ladakh with a special gift sets out to prove to the world that she should not be looked upon with pity but with pride. Her determined friends and a donkey begin a journey to earn money for her education, leading to unexpected opportunities and a dream much bigger than they had imagined. The film was created through a film workshop with and by the children themselves, including children with disabilities, and is a celebration of inclusion, equality, diversity and the boundless imagination of young minds.
Nila Madhab Panda is an internationally recognised Indian director and producer, known for his socially relevant work on education, gender equality, poverty and environmental challenges. His debut, "I Am Kalam" (2010), received the National Film Award and many international distinctions. He is the holder of the honorary Padma Shri (2016).
Shweta Parakh is a Mumbai-based children's film director, founder of Purple People Labs and a TEDx speaker, with more than 200 short films screened internationally. Producer Jitendra Mishra is a recipient of India's National Film Award, director of SIFFCY and President of CIFEJ.
"Little Big Dreams" Awards: Winner at the 14th Chefchaouen International Film Festival (Morocco), Best Film at the National Short Film Festival 2026 (Odisha), National Inclusion Award (WIC). Official selection, among others, at MIFF 2026 (Mumbai), KINEKO (Japan), SCHLINGEL (Germany) and the 2nd CIFEJ Symposium (Cyprus).
Date: Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Cultural Workshop Agion Omologiton, Agchialou 1, 1080 Nicosia
Admission: Free
Information: 22256782
CIFEJ Film Screenings - India
The Cultural Workshop Agion Omologiton invites you to the screening of two films from India: the feature film "I Am Kalam" directed by Nila Madhab Panda and the short film "Little Big Dreams" directed by Shweta Parakh and Rakesh E. Nayar. The event is part of the Cinema Wednesdays 2026 project and serves as a precursor to the 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium, taking place in Nicosia on 16-17 November 2026, with the participation of children's and youth cinema experts from Cyprus and abroad.
CIFEJ is hosted by EKKOMED in Athens, Greece. The project is supported by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus - Department of Contemporary Culture.
Both films are in Hindi (and Ladakhi for the second) with English subtitles.
I Am Kalam (2010) - India
Duration: 90 minutes | Director: Nila Madhab Panda
Production: Smile Foundation
Inspired by the life and ideals of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the film tells the inspiring story of Chhotu, a young boy from a poor family who works at a roadside dhaba but dreams of a better future through education. Inspired by the former President of India, he adopts the name Kalam and dares to dream beyond the limitations imposed by his circumstances. Through his friendship with a young prince, the film celebrates the power of education, equality, friendship, and the courage to dream big.
Little Big Dreams (2026) - India
Duration: 15 minutes | Directors: Shweta Parakh, Rakesh E. Nayar and the children of PM Shri Govt. School Leh
Producer: Jitendra Mishra (Cinema4good Pvt Ltd., Purple Peoples Lab, Hurray Films)
A spirited young girl from Ladakh with a special ability sets out to prove to the world that she need not be seen with pity but with pride. Her determined friends and a donkey embark on a journey to earn for her education, leading to unexpected opportunities and a chance to chase a dream far bigger than they ever imagined. Created with and by the children, including specially-abled participants, the film is a celebration of inclusion, equality, diversity and the limitless imagination of young minds.
About the Directors
Nila Madhab Panda is an internationally acclaimed Indian filmmaker, director and producer, renowned for socially relevant cinema exploring education, gender equality, poverty and environmental challenges. His debut feature "I Am Kalam" (2010) received a National Film Award and numerous international accolades. He is a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri (2016).
Shweta Parakh is a Mumbai-based children's filmmaker, founder-director of Purple People Labs and a TEDx speaker, with over 200 short films screened internationally. Producer Jitendra Mishra is a National Film Award recipient, Festival Director of SIFFCY and President of CIFEJ.
"Little Big Dreams" Awards: Winner at the 14th Chefhousen International Film Festival (Morocco), Best Film at the National Short Film Festival 2026 (Odisha), National Inclusion Award (WIC). Official selection at, among others, MIFF 2026 (Mumbai), KINEKO (Japan), SCHLINGEL (Germany) and the 2nd CIFEJ Symposium (Cyprus).
Date: Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cultural Workshop Agion Omologiton, Agchialou 1, 1080 Nicosia
Free Entrance
Information: 22256782
