Amsterdam, The Netherlands / 12 October 2026: Odisha-born, internationally acclaimed filmmaker, producer and festival director of Smile Int’l Film Festival, Jitendra Mishra represents India at one of the world’s leading festivals dedicated to young audiences and media. Jitendra Mishra has been selected to serve on the international jury of the 40th Cinekid Festival in the Netherlands, one of the world’s leading film and media festivals dedicated to children and young audiences, scheduled from 10 to 25 October in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Mishra is a member of the jury for the Best Children’s Film Competition, which recognises outstanding cinematic storytelling for young audiences from across the world.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, Cinekid Festival runs from 10 to 25 October, bringing together children, families, filmmakers and audiovisual professionals through an extensive programme of films, series, interactive media and industry events. The festival’s anniversary edition celebrates four decades of introducing young audiences to diverse cinematic experiences and innovative forms of storytelling.
Mishra’s participation reflects India’s growing engagement with the international children’s cinema movement and his longstanding commitment to promoting meaningful cinema, cultural exchange and stories that inspire young audiences.
A National Film Award-winning filmmaker and producer, Mishra is the Festival Director of the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY), an initiative of Smile Foundation, and the President of the International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ), an organisation established under UNESCO’s auspices in 1955. Through his work across filmmaking, international co-production, film festivals and distribution, he has championed cinema that encourages empathy, inclusion, diversity and cross-cultural understanding.
His appointment to the Cinekid jury comes at a time when international conversations around children’s media increasingly recognise the importance of authentic representation, accessibility and stories that reflect the diverse realities of childhood. The Best Children’s Film Competition brings together selected films from around the world, with an international expert jury choosing the recipient of the prestigious Cinekid Lion for Best Children’s Film.
Over the years, Mishra has contributed to the production, promotion and international circulation of more than 100 films across different capacities. His film associations include I Am Kalam, The Last Color, Buried Seeds, Desires of the Heart and The Silent Epidemic. His work has consistently explored opportunities for Indian stories, including regional-language cinema, to connect with international audiences.
Mishra’s presence at Cinekid also strengthens the continuing dialogue between Indian and European film communities, creating opportunities to exchange perspectives on filmmaking for children, discover diverse cinematic voices and build meaningful international collaborations.
As Cinekid marks four decades of championing children’s film and media, Mishra’s participation underscores the importance of sustained international cooperation in ensuring that young audiences everywhere have access to imaginative, diverse and thought-provoking cinema.