Former IDSFFK jury members urge Kerala State Chalachitra Academy to let jury watch competition films withheld by Union I&B Ministry
Though the five films have been selected for the competition category at the ongoing 18th IDSFFK, they have not yet been screened as the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has denied censor exemption
Members of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Keralam (IDSFFK) jury have written to the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, urging them to allow the jury to view five films that have been denied screening permission by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B). These films, which were selected for the competition category at the ongoing 18th IDSFFK, have not yet been screened due to the I&B Ministry's decision to withhold censor exemption.
The jury members, including Rakesh Sharma, Pankaj Rishikumar, Jabeen Merchant, Ranajit Ray, Rintu Thomas, and Faiza Khan, expressed disappointment in the academy's decision not to provide the jury with access to the films. They emphasized that while the Ministry has only denied public screenings, there is no legal restriction or ban from private screenings for the jury.
The letter also highlighted that several filmmakers whose works are in competition are considering boycotting the awards ceremony, which could harm the festival's reputation.
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