16th edition of International Film Festival of India was inaugurated at a function organized in Lalita Kala Toranam, Hyderabad on the night of 14 November 2009. This function is graced by K Roasaiah, J Geeta Reddy, Ambika Soni, Nandita Das, Gulzar, Vishal Bharadwaj, Darsheel Safary, Dasari, Venkatesh and Ileana.
Ambika Soni lighted the candle and K Rosaiah unveiled golden elephant.
Dasari said, "The state government has alloted land for Children Film Society. But the society is yet to move in to Hyderabad. I hope that a building will be constructed soon and the society will move from Mumbai to Hyderabad. KS Prakash Rao directed the first children film in 1961. There is injustice going on for Telugu films at national level in terms of awards. The government is not properly giving subsidies to children films."
K Rosaiah said, "Today is the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru. He is fond of kids. The filmmakers are not concentrating on kids films because they don't fit into regular commercial business model. The encouragement given by government is not enough for the filmmakers to venture into children's films. The central government should increase the subsidy. I like films of golden era because they have both entertainment and message. But the contemporary films are infected with commercial elements and they don't have human values. I hope that this children film festival will become a big success."