IDSFFK: Efforts on to secure screening permission for all selected films, says minister

Efforts are under way to secure screening permission for all films selected for the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), state Cinema Minister P C Vishnunath said on Wednesday.

Vishnunath said around 1,800 films were submitted for the festival, of which 347 were selected after a detailed screening process and sent for permission to be screened.

"The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has informed us that some of the films for which permission is yet to be received need to be viewed once again. Efforts are under way to complete those procedures and screen all the films," he said.

The minister was speaking after inaugurating the distribution of delegate kits for the festival, scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram from September 25 to 30.

He handed over delegate kits to actors Shyam Mohan and Parvathy R Krishna and also inaugurated the festival office at Kairali Theatre.

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had earlier denied censor exemption to 31 films scheduled to be screened at the 18th IDSFFK.

The development came after similar restrictions during the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) last year, when 19 films were initially denied exemption before permission was granted for some of them.

Shyam Mohan said the IFFK had played an important role in helping people understand world cinema and develop a passion for films.

He also said the growing participation of young people was contributing to improvements in the quality of cinema.

The IDSFFK, organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, will be held at Kairali, Sree and Nila theatres.

Delegates can register online or at the delegate cell at Kairali Theatre. The delegate fee, including GST, is Rs 590 for the general category and Rs 354 for students.