image credits: Impact magazine
Filmmaker Jitendra Mishra, hailing from Odisha, has been elected President of the UNESCO-supported International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) for the 2025-2027 term. His unopposed election, backed by over 50 active members from 40 countries, reflects global confidence in his vision to harness cinema as a tool for educating and empowering young minds.
Jitendra Mishra’s Journey from Cinema to CIFEJ
Jitendra Mishra was born in Titlagarh, Balangir District. As a producer, he has been associated with critically acclaimed films like I Am Kalam (2010), which won multiple national and international awards for its inspiring narrative. Another notable project, The Last Color (2019), directed by Vikas Khanna and produced by Mishra, explores themes of dignity and resilience through the life of a widow in Varanasi.
Mishra’s journey in cinema has been defined by his commitment to social impact. As the Festival Director of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY), an initiative of the Smile Foundation, he has consistently advocated for films that foster empathy. SIFFCY has emerged as a platform that celebrates culturally relevant stories, encouraging young audiences to engage with themes of personal growth, societal responsibility, and global citizenship.
CIFEJ’s Legacy and Newly Elected Board
Founded in 1955 under UNESCO’s guidance, CIFEJ has long been a beacon for promoting educational and culturally significant content for young people. It recently relocated its headquarters from Brussels, Belgium, to Athens, Greece. Jitendra Mishra’s leadership is expected to strengthen CIFEJ’s role as a global advocate for high-quality audiovisual content.
The newly elected CIFEJ board, under Mishra’s guidance, comprises distinguished professionals from diverse regions: 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, serving as Secretary General, and Irene Andriopoulou, as Executive Director, will play key roles in advancing CIFEJ’s initiatives.
The Power of Cinema in Shaping Young Minds
Cinema, as Mishra and his peers at SIFFCY and CIFEJ believe, is more than entertainment. It is a medium for transformation. Santanu Mishra, Chairman of SIFFCY and Co-Founder of Smile Foundation, supports this belief: “Good cinema can stimulate reflection on personal, societal, and moral responsibilities. It fosters empathy, helping nurture stronger global citizens.” This philosophy drives CIFEJ’s efforts to support films that inspire positive change among young audiences.
The relocation of CIFEJ’s headquarters to Athens is seen as a strategic move to enhance its global outreach. Vassilis Karamitsanis noted that this shift, supported by Greece’s National Centre of Audiovisual Media and Communication (EKOME), aims to elevate the quality of children’s audiovisual content.
What is Jitendra Mishra’s Vision for the Future?
Expressing his gratitude, Jitendra Mishra said, “I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me. This victory is a collective step towards empowering young minds through meaningful cinema. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Smile Foundation for their steadfast support.” His leadership promises to advance CIFEJ’s mission of using film to educate, inspire, and celebrate cultural diversity.
