**Executive Summary**
This report summarizes a press conference organized by the Press Information Bureau on June 17, 2026, during the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF). The session highlighted the transformative power of inclusive cinema to empower children and celebrate diversity, specifically focusing on the films *Naayab – Through the Teacher’s Lens* and *Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapane*. The discussion underscored the role of film as a catalyst for social change and a tool for practical learning.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Core Philosophy of Inclusive Cinema**
* Cinema must serve as a voice for every child, moving beyond labels to recognize their shared aspirations and potential.
* The focus of storytelling should shift from the "limitations" of children with special needs to their abilities, talents, and contributions.
* Films should transcend conventional entertainment to inspire empathy, broaden perspectives, and shape social attitudes.
**Importance of Grassroots Storytelling**
* Stories rooted in local cultures and traditions help children connect with their identities and communities.
* Local narratives create meaningful spaces for self-expression and dialogue.
* Narratives with local roots possess significant global appeal; for instance, *Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapane* has already attracted international interest following its showcase at the Cannes Film Festival.
**Children as Active Participants**
* The filmmaking process is increasingly involving children not just as performers, but as active storytellers and creators.
* Seeing their own realities reflected on screen helps nurture creativity and confidence among young audiences.
**Film Highlights**
* *Naayab – Through the Teacher’s Lens*: A documentary emphasizing the need for children to see their realities reflected in media.
* *Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapane (Little Big Dreams)*: A short fiction film described as a "deeply human and aspirational" story about a girl "chasing life."
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Filmmakers and Producers**
**Impact**
They are positioned as key drivers of social change and are encouraged to produce content that prioritizes inclusivity and grassroots authenticity.
**Action Required**
Focus on creating narratives that empower marginalized voices and engage with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) to utilize international screening platforms.
**Stakeholder: Children (including those with special needs)**
**Impact**
They gain increased representation and a platform where they are recognized for their talents rather than their constraints.
**Action Required**
Engage in the filmmaking journey as active contributors, performers, and storytellers.
**Stakeholder: Journalists, Bloggers, and Vloggers**
**Impact**
They are provided with opportunities to connect with award-winning filmmakers and mentors to spread the message of inclusive cinema.
**Action Required**
Contact the MIFF media desk at miff.mediadesk@pib.gov.in with the subject line "Take One with PIB" to schedule interviews and interactions.
Key Entities Referenced
Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF): A biennial festival serving as the primary platform for showcasing documentary, short fiction, and animation films, focusing on inclusive and children's cinema.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The central government ministry responsible for the promotion of cinematic arts and overseeing the organization of international film festivals.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): The nodal agency under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that organizes MIFF and supports the development of the Indian film industry.
Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapane (Little Big Dreams): A short fiction film showcased at MIFF 2026 to highlight children's aspirations and the role of inclusive storytelling.
Naayab – Through the Teacher’s Lens: A documentary film used to demonstrate the importance of grassroots storytelling and reflecting local realities in children's cinema.
From Ladakh to the World:
Renowned Filmmakers
Showcase Power of Inclusive
Cinema at MIFF 2026
Cinema Must Be a Voice for Every Child, Say
Shweta Parakh and Jitendra Mishra
Mumbai, 17 June 2026
The transformative power of cinema to foster understanding, celebrate diversity and amplify unheard
voices came into focus at a press conference organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on the
sidelines of the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026 today.
Filmmakers, educators and producers associated with the documentary Naayab – Through the
Teacher’s Lens and the short fiction film Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapane (Little Big Dreams) emphasised
the need for cinema to serve as an empowering medium for every child.
The session brought together filmmaker Shweta Parakh, educationist and project mentor Swati Popat
Vats, renowned filmmaker and project mentor Pathik Vats, and National Award-winning producer
Jitendra Mishra. The panellists shared insights into the making of the films and reflected on the role ofstorytelling in nurturing inclusion, creativity and confidence among children.
Speaking about the importance of grassroots storytelling, Shweta Parakh, director of Naayab –
Through the Teacher’s Lens, stressed the need for children to see their own realities reflected on
screen. She observed that stories rooted in local cultures help children connect with their identities,
traditions and communities. Such stories also create meaningful spaces for self-expression and
dialogue.
Highlighting the importance of inclusivity, Swati Popat Vats said society must move beyond labels and
recognise the shared aspirations, emotions and potential of all children. Reflecting on the protagonist
of Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapane (Little Big Dreams), she remarked that the young girl was not merely
pursuing education or independence, but was “chasing life”. The phrase, she said, captured the film’s
deeply human and aspirational message.
Pathik Vats, filmmaker and Filmfare Award winner, emphasised cinema’s role as a powerful educational
tool. He noted that films do far more than entertain. Describing cinema as a form of practical learning,
he said it can inspire empathy, broaden perspectives and shape social attitudes.
Sharing the journey of Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapane (Little Big Dreams), National Award-winning
producer Jitendra Mishra highlighted the growing global appeal of local stories. He noted that children
themselves actively participated in the filmmaking journey. They contributed not only as performers
but also as storytellers and creators.Mishra further observed that narratives rooted in local cultures have the power to resonate with
audiences across the world. He noted that the film has already attracted invitations from prominent
international film festivals following its showcase at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is scheduled to
be screened at several international platforms in the coming months.
The discussion underscored a shared philosophy reflected in both films: shifting the focus from
limitations to possibilities. The panellists stressed that children with special needs should be
recognised for their abilities, talents and contributions to families, classrooms and communities. They
should not be defined by labels or perceived constraints.
The press conference concluded with the panellists affirming that children’s cinema must transcend
conventional entertainment and become a catalyst for inclusion, understanding and social change.* * *
PIB Team MIFF | Supriya Ghaytadak/Ashish Sangle/Darshana Rane
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