The concept of an. exclusive cinema for India's children was mooted by our First Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, whose affection for children is well known. Children's Film Society, India, was established and registered as a society on 30th April, 1955 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. The avowed objective of the society was to undertake and organize production, distribution and exhibition of feature films for children, provide them healthy and wholesome entertainment, enhance their knowledge, develop their character, and broaden their perspective.

The first governing body of Children's Film Society consisted of 13 members, headed by Shri H.N. Kunzru, who was designated as President of the Society. This society is an autonomous body, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

The Chairperson, who is an eminent personality in the field of Cinema, heads the society. The Chairperson is also the head of the Executive Council and the General Body, member of which are nominated by Government of India.

Children's Film Society produces full-length feature films, featurettes, TV serials, short documentaries and also animation and puppet films for children. Procuring the exhibition rights of outstanding foreign films and serials is also done by Children's Film Society, India. It dubs its films in all major Indian languages. In the last 50 years, Children's Film Society has made more than 100 feature films, 30 short animations, 9 puppet films, as well as 52 short documentaries and news magazines which are presently available in both the film and video formats.

The exhibition of films is held at several levels -from screenings to telecasts. State and District level Children's Film Festivals are organized in remote areas in close collaboration with State/District authorities and NGOs. The films are shown on Doordarshan network and private satellite channels. At present, more than 8000 shows were organized benefiting more than 36 lakhs children.

Films made by the Children's Film Society such as Yeh Hai Chakkad Bakkad Bumbe Bo, Heda Hoda, Malli, etc. have entered various International Competitive Film Festivals and have won several awards during the past years. The Children's Film Society also bagged various National awards for films such as TORA (Assamese), JEO AURJEENEDO  (Hindi) etc.

The Children's Film Society conducts a wide variety of workshops so as to encourage a whole new brand of writers and filmmakers to create the children's cinema of tomorrow. It conducts 15 such workshops in a year.

The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the Children's Film Society on its GOLDEN JUBILEE.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India