By Mr. Syed Sultan Ahmed
Cairo, Egypt — The BRICS Education Film & Media Association (BEFMA) for children and youth held its inaugural General Assembly in Cairo during the Awladna Festival for the Gifted. The Assembly was presided over by Dr. Soheir Abdel Kadr and included representatives from BRICS nations —Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, and the UAE —as well as partner countries including Nigeria, Spain, Serbia, and the UK.
Firdoze Bulbulia of South Africa was elected as BEFMA’s first President, with Syed Sultan Ahmed of India serving as Vice-President. The executive committee includes representatives from all participating countries, with Prof. Dragan Milinkovic Fimon appointed as Executive Director.
Portugal also joined as a partner country, represented by Joao Paulo Macedo, President of the International Federation of Film Societies (IFFS), who sent a congratulatory video message and warmly signed the Agreement of Collaboration with BEFMA.
During the Assembly, collaboration agreements were signed with the following organisations (alphabetical order):
• Aksa Bumi Langit Film Agency, Indonesia
• Awladna International Forum for Arts of Gifted, Egypt
• Beijing International Children’s Film Festival, China
• Bructy Collaboration Agreement, Ethiopia
• Enigma Multimedia Ltd, Bangladesh
• Florianopolis Collaboration Agreement, Brazil
• Hasan Kalyincu University MOU Agreement, Turkey
• IFFS – International Federation of Film Societies, Portugal
• Isfahan International Children Film Festival, Iran
• LXL Collaboration Agreement, India
• Perm Flahertiana Collaboration Agreement, Russia
• Sharjah Collaboration Agreement, UAE
• SOFFI Foundation, India
• State Special School for Children with Special Needs, Spain
• Voronezh International Animation Film Festival, Russia
The Assembly also issued a strong statement condemning the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the forced displacement of Palestinians, emphasizing the severe impact on women and children.
The GA affirmed BEFMA’s commitment to advancing education, film, and media initiatives for children and youth across BRICS countries and partner nations, while promoting social justice, human rights, and global solidarity.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Syed Sultan Ahmed
Email: sultan@lxl.in