Centre has not stated reasons for denying screening permission to 31 films: Keralam minister
Keralam minster for culture PC Vishnunadh said on Sunday that the Union ministry of information and broadcasting has not stated reasons for denying screening permission to 31 films at the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) scheduled to be held in the state capital later this month
The Union ministry of information and broadcasting has not disclosed reasons for refusing to grant screening permission to 31 films at the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), reports claim. The festival is set to take place in Kerala's capital city in the forthcoming month.
While films featured at ISCFFK do not necessitate a censor certificate, they must receive permission for screening from the Union ministry, as they have not been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). "They (Centre) sought detailed synopses for several films, which we provided the following day," stated PC Vishnunadh, the Keralam minister for culture.
However, 31 films have yet to receive permission for screening, and the ministry has not elucidated the reasons for this decision. It has merely presented a list of the films that have been granted permission. Vishnunadh further mentioned that the Kerala State Chalachitra Akademi has requested the relevant department to grant exemption to these 31 films.
They are awaiting a response from the department. If there are concerns regarding the content of these films, the department should clarify. All 31 films were selected following a thorough selection process, according to Vishnunadh.
Among the films denied permission for screening are "Sanitised Republic: Cast(e) and Contracts," which delves into the lives of sanitation workers employed at hospitals in Delhi during the Covid-19 pandemic; "Parliament Street," a film exploring public and personal memories connected to the Delhi landmark; "Put Your Soul On Your Hand and Walk," which examines life in conflict-affected Gaza through video calls between two individuals; and the Malayalam film "Globe," which sheds light on tribal life in Attappady.
Out of 347 films selected by the Akademi for IDSFFK, 31 have been denied permission for screening, according to reports.
The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) last year also denied censor exemption to several films. However, the Kerala government proceeded with screening them despite the denial.
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