Chalachithra Academy fights pandemic odds; set for grand film carnival

Thiruvananthapuram: Final preparations are currently on for the 25th International Film Festival of Kerala, with the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy (KSCA) making sure that all precautionary measures are in place for the major event of the year that takes place when the world is fighting a pandemic of mega proportions. 

The Covid-19 pandemic had set obstacles that hinder the smooth coordination of the festival. However, Chalachithra Academy has decided to go ahead with the mega event by strictly adhering to all Covid protocols.

The festival is scheduled to run between February 10th and 14th in Thiruvananthapuram, February 17th-21st in Kochi, February 23rd-27th in Thalassery and March 1st-5th in Palakkad. The inaugural ceremony and the award distribution functions will be held in Trivandrum and Palakkad respectively. The fest duration has been reduced to five days of screening, in 6 theatres, at each venue. 

The registration for all the categories at different venues commenced on January 30th. A reduction in the registration fees - Rs 400 for students and Rs 750 for general category delegates - has been made. Passes are issued two days prior to the start of the fest and free antigen tests are in place. Delegates are required to carry their test results while entering the cinema hall. 

Availability of seats is subject to reservation. This time around, the delegates will be assigned prescribed seat numbers along with the reservation confirmation message. Reservation for a film closes two hours before the screening starts. 

All necessary Covid protocols, including social distancing, are to be followed. Theatre entry will be only half the maximum capacity. The Chalachithra Academy and the Department of Cultural Affairs are collectively working towards making the event a grand success.

Women Power Yet Again at IFFK

The 25th IFFK would bring to the fore a bunch of films made by female filmmakers. The 25th edition of IFFK will kick start with the film 'Quo vadis, Aida?' by Jasmila Zbanic. This film, which was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, is a war drama set in a small town called Srebrenica, Bosnia. The director received the Silver Lion Award for Best Director for the same film at Venice. The film also bagged numerous other awards and nominations, and its presence makes it a major highlight of the 25th IFFK. 

Debut director Kavya Prasad's 'Vaanku' will screen under the category Malayalam Cinema Today. Written by Unni R, ace Malayalam screenwriter, the film is an unorthodox take on the traditions the Muslim community follows. The film is currently running successfully in theatres across Kerala.

'Desterro' directed by Maria Clara Escobar, had recently received huge accolades when it was screened in the Tiger Competition category at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR). The movie narrates the journey of a couple and the mysterious events that follow their journey. Andrea Martinez Crowther's 'Observar Las Aves'(Birdwatching) which was screened at the Los Cabos International Film Festival tells the story of an Alzheimer's patient who decides to film herself falling into a state of oblivion. Both these films will run for the 'Suwarna Chakoram' (Golden Crow Pheasant Award) for Best Film in the International Competition category at the IFFK.

'Never Gonna Snow Again', featuring under the World Cinema category, is a Polish-German comedy-drama directed by Malgorzata Szumowska along with her co-director Michal Englert. It was the official Polish entry to the 93rd Academy Awards for the Best International Feature Film and was also nominated for the Golden Lion Award at the Venice International Film Festival. The film is an intriguing social satire. Kaouther Ben Hania's 'The Man who sold his skin', a Lebanese drama that narrates the story of a Syrian refugee who offers his back as a canvas for a famous tattoo artist. The director received the Orizzonti Award for Best Director for this film along with various other nominations in the same award ceremony.