Kerala's IFFK to Screen All Films Despite Centre Denial
Kerala's IFFK to Screen All Films Despite Centre Denial
Kerala's film festival pledges to screen all scheduled titles even as the Centre withholds censor exemptions, igniting a clash over artistic freedom.
The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has decided to screen all films as scheduled, even after the information and broadcasting ministry denied censor exemption to more than a dozen movies slated for screening. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the Centre’s move unacceptable and said Enlightened Kerala will not bow to what he described as censorship aimed at stifling dissent and diverse creative voices. Culture Minister Saji Cherian joined in, criticizing the decision as an unnecessary intrusion into Kerala’s cultural space and promising that the festival would move ahead with full programming.
The list of films facing denial includes Palestinian titles Once Upon a Time in Gaza, All That’s Left of You, and Wajib, along with A Poet: Unconcealed Poetry, Clash, Yes, Flames, and Eagles of the Republic. Another film, Santhosh, was withdrawn because it did not have a CBFC certificate. The standoff appears to stem from delays in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting granting censor exemptions to several titles, even as the festival directory pressed ahead.
Festival director Resul Pookutty has argued that censor exemptions should not suppress art, and observers note that some titles began receiving permission after broader outreach and interventions. Delegates and cinema lovers in Thiruvananthapuram continue to engage with a program built around diverse voices and urgent social themes, with screenings moving forward as scheduled. The episode highlights a broader debate about how central policies intersect with Kerala’s cultural ambitions, especially as the festival runs in the state capital.
As the festival advances, audiences are encouraged to reflect on the balance between regulatory norms and artistic expression, and to consider what censorship means for cinema that seeks to challenge established narratives.
