Indian Filmmaker Jitendra Mishra Elected President of UNESCO-Backed CIFEJ

Indian Filmmaker Jitendra Mishra Elected President of UNESCO-Backed CIFEJ

Celebrated Indian filmmaker and children's cinema advocate Jitendra Mishra has achieved yet another milestone in his illustrious journey—he has been unanimously elected as the President of the International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) for the 2025–2027 term. Backed by UNESCO and supported by members from over 40 countries, this unopposed victory reflects both global trust in Mishra's leadership and the growing impact of Indian voices in the global children's cinema landscape.

For many who have followed his career, this comes as no surprise. Jitendra has been a passionate force behind films that don't just entertain but educate, uplift, and empower young minds. As the Festival Director of Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY)—an initiative of Smile Foundation—he has championed storytelling that bridges cultures and nurtures empathy. Under his leadership, SIFFCY has become one of India’s most impactful platforms promoting meaningful and socially conscious cinema for younger audiences.

Founded in 1955 under the auspices of UNESCO, CIFEJ is one of the oldest and most respected global networks dedicated to producing and promoting culturally rich and educational audio-visual content for children and youth. Now headquartered in Athens, Greece, the organization continues its mission with renewed energy, and with Mishra at the helm, its vision is set to expand even further.

Joining Mishra on the new board are influential voices from around the world, including Pamela Bisson (Canada), Doros Demetriou (Cyprus), Huang Jun (China), Anis Lassoued (Tunisia), Emma Pendiuc (Romania), Elham Shrivani (Iran), and Mitsuo Tahira (Japan). Greece’s Vassilis Karamitsanis will serve as Secretary General, with Irene Andriopoulou taking on the role of Executive Director.

Expressing his gratitude, Mishra said, “This is not just a personal honour but a collective achievement. Our shared dream is to empower young minds through cinema that inspires, educates, and celebrates diversity. I’m thankful to Smile Foundation for their constant support, and I look forward to this new journey with my fellow board members.”

Smile Foundation’s Chairman and producer of I Am Kalam, Mr. Santanu Mishra, also praised the new development: “Cinema is a powerful medium that helps shape young minds. CIFEJ, under Jitendra’s leadership, can bring about positive change globally by stimulating reflection, dialogue, and empathy among young viewers.”

CIFEJ’s Secretary General, Mr. Karamitsanis, echoed the excitement, adding, “This marks a new era for CIFEJ. We look forward to building high-quality, meaningful content for young audiences and expanding our footprint through partnerships and cultural exchange.”

From Odisha to the World Stage:

Hailing from Odisha, Jitendra Mishra has been a tireless promoter of "cinema with a purpose." With over 100 international and Indian films to his credit—including The Last Color, Buried Seeds, I Am Kalam, and Barefoot Empress—his work spans continents and genres, but always remains rooted in humanity and hope.

He has served on juries at over 50 international film festivals and continues to mentor emerging filmmakers across the globe, advocating for storytelling that matters.

Under his presidency, CIFEJ is poised to explore newer dimensions—strengthening its global network, supporting local filmmakers, and creating access to films that speak to the aspirations and challenges of children and youth in a rapidly evolving world.

As the global conversation around children’s media grows, voices like Jitendra Mishra's offer both vision and hope—a belief in cinema not just as entertainment, but as a force for change.