IFFK to Screen All Films as Scheduled Despite Centre’s Clearance Denial: Resul Pookutty

Thiruvananthapuram: The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will go ahead with the screening of all films as per the announced schedule, despite the Centre denying clearance for more than a dozen titles, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairman Resul Pookutty said on Tuesday.

The festival is being held in Thiruvananthapuram from December 12 to 19.

In a video message, Pookutty said the decision was taken to put an end to the uncertainty surrounding film screenings at the festival. “I am happy to inform you that, putting to rest all the controversy related to screenings at IFFK, we are proceeding with all films as scheduled, in accordance with the notification issued by the Kerala government. Long live cinema,” he said.

The decision follows the Kerala government’s stand to uphold freedom of expression after delays in securing official censor exemptions for around 15 films. These include films related to the Palestine issue and Sergei Eisenstein’s century-old classic Battleship Potemkin.

Earlier in the day, the Centre granted censor exemptions to four of the 19 films that were awaiting approval for screening at the festival.