Centre relents; 24 more films cleared for 18th IDSFFK after Kerala initiates legal action

Thiruvananthapuram: In a major relief for delegate members and festival organisers, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted screening clearance for 24 additional films out of the 31 movies that were previously denied censor exemption for the ongoing 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK).

The Central Ministry’s clearance comes on the heels of legal action initiated by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, which had issued a formal notice to the Ministry demanding screening approval for all 31 withheld titles. The Union Ministry issued the permissions as the court was preparing to hear the matter.

Cleared films across various categories

Among the films granted permission are key selections across competition, focus and international categories.

Short film competition: Globe, Bhintila Paath and A Handshake.

Focus category: Mother Tongue, Unstrung and Chapter Two.

International category: Birds of War, Inside, Melatonin, Raha, Memories of a Window, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, My Father and Gaddafi, Silenced, Land Marks, The Match, Cover-Up, Fifty Eighth and Shot Reverse Shot.

Festival winners: Guided Tour, Rehearsals for a Revolution, One in a Million, and the Nepalese entry Band-Aids.

The Chalachitra Academy clarified that one of the cleared titles had been submitted as a waitlisted entry and will not be part of the official festival schedule.

Screenings to resume from Day 3

The newly cleared films will be integrated into the festival schedule starting from the third day of the event.

The Chalachitra Academy confirmed that the revised screening schedule will be uploaded directly to the official IDSFFK website, and registered delegates will be notified about the updated showtimes via direct mobile SMS.