18th IDSFFK begins under a cloud of censorship
Uncertainty remains over the 31 films for which the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has denied censor exemption even as Minister for Cultural Affairs said the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy is making all possible efforts, including legal measures, to secure permission for screening
The 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Keralam commenced on Friday under the shadow of censorship concerns, as 31 films had their censor exemption requests denied by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. At the inauguration at Kairali theatre in the capital, Cultural Affairs Minister P.C. Vishnunadh affirmed that the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy was actively pursuing legal avenues to secure permission for screening these films.
The festival's screening schedule has been adjusted to exclude the 31 films, with the academy prepared to revise the lineup if the necessary approvals are granted. The Union I&B Ministry had forwarded some of the films for approval to the Defence Ministry, while others were sent to the External Affairs Ministry. Vishnunadh expressed his desire to screen all selected films for the festival, noting that the I&B Ministry had sought detailed synopses for 40 films, resulting in the holdup of 31 films.
Although rumors suggested the Minister would announce the chalachitra academy chairperson at the opening ceremony, Vishnunadh clarified that the announcement would be made before the festival's conclusion. The minister also highlighted the government's efforts to grant industry status to Malayalam cinema, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by the sector in comparison to other industries.
Filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, the festival's chief guest, praised the event as a vital platform for serious cinema and its potential to attract young documentary filmmakers through collaborative opportunities with academia and film societies. The festival's opening film, "A Fox Under a Pink Moon," directed by Mehrdad Oskouei, featured the story of Afghan artist Soraya's five-year struggle to leave Iran for Austria.
On the second day, the competition section screenings were set to begin, with notable short documentary films such as Syed Ahmad Rufai's "Anhad: A Way of Looking," Malavika V.N.'s "At Reel’s End (Viraamam)," and Debalina Majumder's "Friends of Jilipibala."
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