CMS Lucknow ICFF 2026: Where Cinema Educates Hearts and Unites the World
Experience one of the World’s Largest Children’s Film Festivals, Right Here at CMS Lucknow.
According to the recent AGF GenZ Video Study (that included both an initial qualitative exploration and an extensive quantitative analysis of video viewership in children aged 3 to 17), the appetite for visual media among young audiences is nearly universal. Across both traditional broadcast and digital streaming, 90% of 3 to 17-year-olds consume video content on a daily basis. In an age where screens influence thinking more than textbooks, purposeful cinema is no longer optional — it is essential.
The 15th CMS Lucknow International Children’s Film Festival (ICFF) 2026 transforms film into a powerful educational instrument — cultivating empathy, critical thinking and global citizenship through curated, value-driven storytelling by:
- Promoting Peace and Harmony: Films curated to encourage responsible citizenship and conflict resolution.
- Enhancing Quality Education: Interactive sessions that complement classroom learning with real-world insights.
- Reducing Inequalities: Inclusive participation for children from diverse backgrounds, including special-needs schools.
- Fostering Global Partnerships: Multicultural content from over 92 countries to build cross-cultural bridges.
Organised by the Department of Events & Media Production of City Montessori School, Lucknow, and recognised as one of the world’s largest children’s film festivals by student participation, CMS Lucknow ICFF welcomes nearly one lakh students from over 500 schools annually. It is not merely a festival; it is a movement for peace, inclusion and unity through the powerful medium of cinema.
Why Attend CMS Lucknow ICFF 2026?
International jury-based competition with global credibility
2,000+ film submissions from 90+ countries
Seven-day immersive screenings, workshops and interactions
Awards worth INR 7 lakh promoting meaningful children’s cinema
Participation from mainstream and special-needs institutions
Engagement with leading personalities from the film industry
Daily screenings of feature films, short films, animations, and more are complemented by interactions with Bollywood celebrities and film personalities, adding excitement and real-world inspiration. For young participants, it’s a chance to explore career pathways in filmmaking, viewing it as a purposeful profession that promotes values like tolerance and empathy.
Conceived in 2009 by our visionary CMS Founder, late Dr Jagdish Gandhi, the festival was built on a simple yet profound belief: that cinema possesses a unique power to touch young hearts, awaken conscience, and sow the seeds of global unity.
Be part of a festival where stories do more than entertain — they educate, empower and elevate.
15th CMS Lucknow ICFF is aligned with the following UN SDGs
CMS Lucknow ICFF 2026 will Feature
Children’s Feature Fiction Film
Children’s Animation Feature Film
Short Fiction Film
Children’s Short Animation Film
Each selected film is evaluated not only for artistic merit, but for its educational depth, emotional intelligence and ethical message.
More than screenings, the festival offers conversations — between cultures, generations and perspectives. It nurtures informed viewing habits and encourages children to reflect, question and create responsibly in a visually saturated world.
By bringing the world to Lucknow, we send our children back into the world as compassionate, informed, and responsible global citizens, fully embodying the spirit of our motto: ‘Jai Jagat’.
Our Inspiration
“Cinema is the most powerful tool we have for education — it doesn’t just show the world, it helps children understand it.”
Late Dr Jagdish Gandhi
(10 November 1934 - 22 January 2024)
Founder of City Montessori School
CMS Lucknow ICFF 2026 is more than a showcase — it is a movement to inspire children not only to watch cinema — but to think, feel and create with purpose as envisioned by our school’s revered Founder, a spiritual giant, humble servant of humanity, and promoter of religious harmony.
The CMS Lucknow ICFF 15th Edition: What to Expect in 2026
The milestone 15th edition of the CMS Lucknow ICFF, scheduled from 6th to 12th April 2026, promises to be our most immersive and impactful yet. We are curating a cinematic journey that will entertain, educate, and empower nearly one lakh students from over 500 schools, including those from mainstream, suburban, and special-needs institutions.
Global Cinematic Showcase
Experience a handpicked selection of the world's best children's feature films, short films, and animations that celebrate diversity and universal human values.
International Competition & Jury
Witness artistic excellence being recognised through our prestigious jury-based awards, with prizes worth INR 7 Lakhs incentivising purposeful storytelling from over 92 countries.
Star-Studded Interactions
Be inspired by daily engagements with over 18 renowned Bollywood celebrities, filmmakers, and child artists who share their journeys and interact with eager young audiences.
Inclusive and Accessible
Our commitment to "Education for All" ensures special screenings and arrangements for children from all backgrounds, reinforcing the message that cinema and its lessons belong to every child.
Organising Committee
Meet our dedicated organising committee, a passionate team of individuals committed to bringing joy and creativity to the CMS Lucknow International Children's Film Festival. They work tirelessly to curate an unforgettable cinematic experience for young audiences worldwide, fostering unity and understanding through the power of storytelling.
Dr Bharti Gandhi
Festival Chairperson
Founder-Director, CMS
Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon
Festival Convenor
Manager, CMS
Ms Reena Soti
Head, Quality Assurance and Innovations Department (QAID), CMS
Mr Ahmad Hameed Shaikh
Festival Director
Head, Department of Events & Media Production, CMS
Mr Srinivasa Santhanam
Festival Advisor/Programmer
Administrators and Principals of all CMS Campuses
Message from the Festival Director
Mr Ahmad Hameed Shaikh
Festival Director
Head, Department of Events & Media Production, CMS
Education must contribute to the protection and security of the world. This requires an approach that goes beyond examination results and academic attainment. At City Montessori School, Lucknow, we view education as a balanced process that develops intellectual ability, moral responsibility and global awareness in equal measure.
The CMS Lucknow International Children’s Film Festival reflects this commitment. It is an international, jury-based children’s film festival organised by a school, with a clear educational purpose. Through carefully selected, multicultural cinema, the festival encourages children to think critically, understand different perspectives and engage with the world with empathy and discernment.
Awards
Join us in a celebration of cinematic brilliance as we proudly present our prestigious awards, dedicated to honouring the industry's most exceptional talents. At our festival, we pay tribute to the remarkable skill and unwavering dedication that breathe life into the magic of movies. Step into the world of storytelling, direction, and performance excellence, and be a part of the recognition that defines our film festival.
Best Children’s Feature Fiction Film
The director will receive a golden trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-, and the producer will receive a certificate and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-.
Best Children’s Animation Feature Film
The winning director will be honoured with a golden trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-. The producer will receive a certificate and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-.
Best Short Animation Film
The director will be recognised with a silver trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹60,000/-. The producer of the movie will receive a certificate and a cash prize of ₹40,000/-.
Best Short Fiction Film
The winning director will receive a silver trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹60,000/- while the producer will receive a certificate and a cash prize of ₹40,000/-.
Special Jury Award – Dr Jagdish Gandhi & Dr Bharti Gandhi Award
The director will be honoured with a silver trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹60,000/-. The producer will receive a certificate and a cash prize of ₹40,000/-.
Dr Jagdish Gandhi Memorial Audience Award
The director will receive a silver trophy and a certificate for their movie.
Contact Us
Event Venue
World Unity Convention Center (WUCC)
CMS Kanpur Road Campus, LDA Colony, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226012.