CINEKIND Awards Poster Unveiled at Global Film Festival Noida, Putting Compassion for Animals in the Spotlight

CINEKIND Awards Poster Unveiled at Global Film Festival Noida, Putting Compassion for Animals in the Spotlight

Noida, India: The poster for the CINEKIND Awards was unveiled during the 19th Global Film Festival Noida 2026 at Marwah Studios, Film City, before a large gathering of filmmakers, media professionals, and film and media students. Launched last year by the Film Federation of India (FFI) with the support of People for Animals, the awards recognise work in cinema that reflects compassion towards animals.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sandeep Marwah, President of Marwah Studios and Vice President of FFI, said the awards bring an important conversation into the heart of the film industry. “Cinema has the power to shape how society sees and treats animals. Through CINEKIND, we hope to encourage filmmakers to use that power with sensitivity and compassion,” he said.

The initiative is supported by People for Animals, founded by former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi. Its poster unveiling at the festival brought the message to established filmmakers and emerging media professionals alike. Former Union Minister and People for Animals founder Maneka Gandhi said, “The way animals are portrayed and treated during filmmaking matters. The CINEKIND Awards encourage filmmakers to bring greater compassion and responsibility to their work, and to tell stories that inspire audiences to care for all living beings.”

Those present included Dr Marwah, who is also President of ICMEI and Chancellor of AAFT University of Media & Arts; Shri Tirath Singh Rawat, former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and National Vice President of the BJP; Padma Shri Naresh Bedi, filmmaker and photographer; H.E. Mr Alonso Correa Miguel, Ambassador of Panama; and H.E. Mr Fernando Buchelli, Ambassador of Ecuador.

The gathering also included screenwriter, director and producer Aanand Mahendroo; actor Rakesh Bedi; Maitrey, Vice President of Media at Home and Soul; Veronika Huseynli, President of Beauty Queen of the Universe Company, Dubai; filmmaker Pankuj Parashar; Liberian-American entrepreneur and policy advocate Judson Wendell Andy; photojournalist S. N. Sinha; Alieu M. Massaquoi, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Liberia; sound designer Jagmohan Anand; and film producer and director Shashi Ranjan.

The unveiling marked another step for CINEKIND in bringing animal welfare into the conversation around filmmaking, while inviting the industry’s next generation to consider the impact of the stories they tell.

CINEKIND POSTER LAUNCHED AT !(TH GLOBAL FILM FESTIVAL

Dr. L. Murugan Unveils Poster of 2nd CINEKIND Awards at Global Film Festival Noida

Dr. L. Murugan Unveils Poster of 2nd CINEKIND Awards at Global Film Festival Noida

Noida, September 2026: The official poster of the 2nd CINEKIND Awards was unveiled by Dr. L. Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, alongside distinguished dignitaries at the inauguration of the 19th Global Film Festival Noida 2026. The ceremony took place before a packed audience at Marwah Studios, Film City, Noida.

The CINEKIND Awards are an initiative of the Film Federation of India (FFI) and People for Animals (PFA). The awards recognise filmmakers and individuals whose work reflects compassion towards animals. PFA, under the leadership of former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, has supported the initiative since its inception.

Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of Marwah Studios and Vice President of FFI, announced that the second edition of the awards ceremony will be held in Mumbai on 4 October 2026, with eleven awards to be presented.

Speaking about CINEKIND, Dr. Marwah said, “Cinema has the power to change how we see and treat the world around us. Through CINEKIND, we want to honour those who use that power to encourage kindness towards animals. Every compassionate story can inspire audiences to act with greater care and respect.”

The poster unveiling was attended by Gaurav Dwivedi, Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati; T. P. Aggarwal, Patron of FFI, IMPPA and ICMEI; Sakshi Mehra, President of the Motion Pictures Association; H.E. Harisoa Lalatiana Accouche, Ambassador of Seychelles; H.E. Abdullah Mohammad A. Abushawesh, Ambassador of Palestine; Commander K. L. Ganju, Honorary Consul General of Comoros; Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi; and Anita Chandradath of Trinidad and Tobago.

Also present were Festival Director Ashok Tyagi; R. C. Garg, Harinder Singh, G. D. Mehta, Rajindar Singh and Joginder Mahajan of FFI; Vipin Gaur, General Secretary of the Newspapers Association of India; and Walid Hasbi, Counsellor at the Embassy of Morocco. Film, television and media professionals joined creative arts students for the occasion.

Veteran Actor Gulshan Grover Invited to Join Cine Kind Awards 2026 in Mumbai

Veteran Actor Gulshan Grover Invited to Join Cine Kind Awards 2026 in Mumbai

Mumbai/New Delhi: Renowned actor and film producer Gulshan Grover, popularly known as the “Bad Man” of Bollywood, has been formally invited to grace the prestigious Cine Kind Awards 2026, scheduled to be held on 4th October in Mumbai.

The invitation was extended by Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Chair of the Award Committee of the Film Federation of India (FFI), who personally requested the celebrated actor to be a distinguished part of the national awards ceremony.

Gulshan Grover is one of India’s most accomplished actors, with a remarkable career spanning more than four decades. Having appeared in over 400 films across Hindi and international cinema, he earned the iconic title of the “Bad Man” of Bollywood following his unforgettable antagonist role in the blockbuster Ram Lakhan. His versatility, commanding screen presence, and memorable performances have made him one of the most respected personalities in the Indian film industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sandeep Marwah said, “Gulshan Grover has made an extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema through his exceptional performances and global representation of Bollywood. His remarkable journey has inspired generations of actors and filmmakers. It would be a great honour to welcome him to the Cine Kind Awards 2026, where excellence, creativity, and meaningful contributions to cinema will be celebrated.”

The Cine Kind Awards, an initiative of the Film Federation of India, recognize excellence in filmmaking while encouraging socially responsible cinema that promotes compassion, environmental awareness, animal welfare, and positive values through the powerful medium of film.

The forthcoming awards ceremony on 4th October 2026 in Mumbai is expected to bring together eminent personalities from the Indian and international film fraternity, celebrating cinematic achievements and honouring those who have significantly enriched the world of entertainment through their creativity and commitment.

CINEKIND Award Unveiled with Global Diplomatic Presence at the Inaugural Ceremony of 18th Global Film Festival Noida

CINEKIND Award Unveiled with Global Diplomatic Presence at the Inaugural Ceremony of 18th Global Film Festival Noida

Noida, India: A defining moment of international collaboration and cinematic purpose marked the grand opening of the 18th Global Film Festival Noida at Marwah Film City, as the poster of the newly instituted CINEKIND Award was ceremoniously unveiled on the inaugural stage. The launch, graced by an esteemed gathering of Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and senior diplomats from across the world, emerged as one of the most powerful highlights of the opening ceremony, reinforcing the festival’s global stature and commitment to meaningful cinema.

The poster was unveiled in the distinguished presence of H.E. Juris Bone, Ambassador of Latvia; H.E. Alberto Antonio Guani, Ambassador of Uruguay; H.E. Karlito Nunes, Ambassador of Timor Leste; Cdr. K. L. Ganju, Hon. Consul General of the Union of Comoros; Ms. Inga Skruzmane, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Latvia; Mr. Faisal Mahmud, Press Minister, High Commission of Bangladesh; Mr. Metsing Ediel Lemphane, Counsellor, High Commission of Lesotho; Ms. Nohely Salinas Gonzalez, Secretary, Embassy of Panama; Ms. Ediza Marlene Jimenez Moreno, Embassy of Panama; and Mr. Ibrahim Besthawi, Counsellor, Embassy of the State of Palestine, among other eminent dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Founder of the Global Film Festival Noida and President of Marwah Studios, stated that the CINEKIND Award has been conceived to honour cinema that promotes humanity, compassion, social responsibility, and global harmony. “CINEKIND is not just an award; it is a movement to recognize filmmakers and storytellers who use the power of cinema to inspire positive change and empathy across borders,” he said. Dr Marwah thanked two organizations- Film Federation of India and Peoples of the Animal for initiating the formation of this award.

Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, noted environmentalist and humanitarian, lauded the initiative and emphasized the transformative influence of cinema in shaping social consciousness. She appreciated the vision behind CINEKIND, calling it a timely and meaningful step towards encouraging films that uphold values of kindness, sustainability, and human dignity.

The unveiling of the CINEKIND Award set a profound and inspiring tone for the 18th Global Film Festival Noida, reaffirming its position as a globally respected platform that seamlessly blends art, diplomacy, and social impact through the universal language of cinema.

Poster of CINEKIND Award Launched at the Grand Inauguration of 18th Global Film Festival Noida

Poster of CINEKIND Award Launched at the Grand Inauguration of 18th Global Film Festival Noida

Noida, India: A significant and inspiring moment marked the grand opening of the 18th Global Film Festival Noida as the poster of the newly constituted award CINEKIND was officially unveiled on the inaugural stage at Marwah Film City, Noida. The launch highlighted the festival’s commitment to promoting meaningful cinema and social responsibility within the film industry.

The prestigious poster launch was carried out by an eminent gathering of dignitaries from the film fraternity, including Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of Marwah Studios, renowned filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, Sunita Govind Ahuja, T. P. Aggarwal, Patron of the Film Federation of India, IMPPA and ICMEI, Abhay Sinha, President of IMPPA and President-Elect of FFI (2026), Firdausul Hasan, current President of FFI, Sakshi Mehra, President of the Motion Pictures Association, acclaimed film director Tushar Amrish Goel (The Taj Story), and well-known actor Mukesh Tyagi.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sandeep Marwah stated that the CINEKIND Award has been instituted to recognize films and filmmakers who use the powerful medium of cinema to promote compassion, humanity, social awareness, and positive change. He emphasized that cinema has the responsibility to influence society constructively, and CINEKIND will serve as a platform to honor such impactful storytelling.

Addressing the audience, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi appreciated the initiative and lauded the Global Film Festival Noida for introducing an award that aligns creativity with conscience. She noted that cinema has immense power to shape mindsets and inspire empathy, and initiatives like CINEKIND encourage filmmakers to create content that contributes meaningfully to society.

The launch of the CINEKIND Award added a strong ethical and visionary dimension to the inaugural ceremony, reinforcing GFFN’s role as a festival that celebrates cinema with purpose, responsibility, and global relevance.

Dr. Sandeep Marwah Nominated Chair for FFI’s CINEKIND Awards for Three Years

Dr. Sandeep Marwah Nominated Chair for FFI’s CINEKIND Awards for Three Years

New Delhi / Kolkata, December 2025: In a landmark decision that reinforces India’s commitment to compassionate and value-driven cinema, the Film Federation of India (FFI), in association with People for Animals (PFA), proudly announces the establishment of CINEKIND — a prestigious national award honouring kindness, empathy, and humane storytelling in Indian cinema.

In recognition of his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to socially conscious media, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Executive Body Member of FFI and President of Marwah Studios, has been nominated as Chair of the CINEKIND Award Committee for a tenure of three years.

The inaugural CINEKIND Awards will be held on December 20 in Kolkata, in the distinguished presence of Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Chairperson of People for Animals and one of India’s most influential voices for animal welfare, along with Mr. Firdausul Hasan, President of the Film Federation of India.

CINEKIND marks a new era for the film industry — one where cinematic excellence is measured not only in artistry and craft, but also in its ability to inspire compassion, dignity, and ethical values. The award aims to celebrate films that elevate society’s moral consciousness and champion respect for all living beings.

Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Chairperson, PFA, emphasized cinema’s profound ability to influence society: “Cinema has the power to shape the conscience of a nation. CINEKIND will encourage filmmakers to portray kindness not as an exception, but as a defining cultural strength of India — inspiring millions to treat all living beings with dignity and compassion.”

Mr. Firdausul Hasan, President, FFI, highlighted the visionary significance of the award: “The Film Federation of India is proud to champion an honour that steps beyond creative excellence into the realm of moral storytelling. CINEKIND will set a new benchmark in Indian cinema by recognising films that uplift human values and promote a compassionate vision for the world.”

Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Chair, CINEKIND Award Committee, expressed his commitment: “CINEKIND represents a monumental shift in how we acknowledge the impact of cinema. This award celebrates stories that heal, uplift, and unite. It will motivate filmmakers to explore narratives rooted in empathy — an urgent necessity in today’s evolving global landscape. I am deeply honoured to lead this mission.”

Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Sandeep Marwah extended heartfelt thanks to the Film Federation of India, People for Animals, and all industry colleagues for their trust and support in championing this transformative movement.