14-Year-Old Actor from Kerala to Lead Child Jury at 55th Giffoni International Film Festival in Italy
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Synopsis
Sidhanshu Sanjeev Sivan, a 14-year-old actor from Kerala, has been appointed to lead the children's jury at the 55th Giffoni International Film Festival in Italy. With a rich family legacy in cinema, he aims to inspire young filmmakers globally.
Key Takeaways
- Sidhanshu Sanjeev Sivan leads the children’s jury at Giffoni.
- He hails from the renowned Sivans family in Malayalam cinema.
- The festival takes place from July 18 to 28.
- He debuted in Ozhuki Ozhuki Ozhuki.
- Upcoming projects include 'Detective Ujjwakan'.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 18 (NationPress) In a remarkable achievement, 14-year-old Sidhanshu Sanjeev Sivan from Kerala has been appointed to lead the children's jury at the 55th edition of the Giffoni International Film Festival in Italy.
Sidhanshu, currently a Class XI student at Loyola School in Thiruvananthapuram, hails from the esteemed Sivans family, often referred to as Malayalam cinema’s pioneering family.
His father, filmmaker Sanjeev Sivan, and mother, director Deepti Pillay Sivan, are both prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry.
Film artistry is a family tradition; Sidhanshu’s grandfather, the late Sivan, was a National Award-winning filmmaker and photographer. His uncle, Santosh Sivan, is one of India’s most celebrated cinematographers, recognized with numerous National Awards.
Another uncle, the late Sangeeth Sivan, who passed away in May 2024, was a well-known director, celebrated for directing the Malayalam blockbuster 'Yoddha', featuring the legendary Mohanlal.
The Giffoni festival, scheduled to take place from July 18 to 28, is recognized globally as one of the most prestigious children’s film festivals.
“Sidhanshu will preside over a jury made up of children from various nations,” stated his father, Sanjeev Sivan. The international juries include approximately 600 young participants in each section.
Sidhanshu made his acting debut in ‘Ozhuki Ozhuki Ozhuki’, directed by his father. He recently portrayed a dual role in Achappa’s Album (English title: Grampa’s Album), a time-travel children’s film directed by his mother and produced by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
This film had a special market screening at the European Film Market (EFM) during the Berlinale 2025.
A fantasy-filled coming-of-age narrative, Achappa’s Album delves into intergenerational relationships and has captivated audiences worldwide with its mix of emotion, creativity, and humor.
Sidhanshu will also appear in the forthcoming children’s mystery film 'Detective Ujjwakan', directed by Sophie Paul.
