Srinagar, Mar 30 : A four-day long children's film festival opened in Srinagar with the aim of helping children, particularly orphans, overcome their trauma.

The 'Shehjaar Children Theatre Festival 2009' is being jointly organised by the Help Foundation, a local NGO, and the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Trust.

Nighat Shafi, an organiser of the festival, said that its main aim was to lessen the stress of the local kids and help them smile for a while.

"Everyday something or the other keeps on happening and the parents themselves are passing through stress. How can they comfort their children. We had comparatively good life as compared to these children. So, I am doing my bit in order to provide some comfort to these children. I have made sure that the children from across the area come together and this festival becomes like a carnival," said Shafi.

"The condition in the valley is very bad. There is a lot of tension among the students. When such a film festival is organised, our minds are refreshed. Therefore more of such festivals should be organised," said Aqsa, a student.

Many award-winning national and international children's films will be showcased in this festival, which commenced on March 28. (ANI