Thiruvananthapuram: Screenings of several films, including a full package of Palestine themed titles, were stopped at the International Film Festival of Kerala after the Centre denied special permission required for festival screenings. The decision has triggered strong reactions from filmmakers, cultural leaders and political figures, and has disrupted the programme of one of India’s most prominent film festivals.
Festival organisers said permission was denied for 19 films scheduled to be shown at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala. Among them were all films included in the Palestine focus section, which was planned as a special segment of this year’s festival. Some internationally recognised classic and political films were also affected.
Officials associated with the festival said the denial was communicated by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Films that do not have certification from the Central Board of Film Certification require a special exemption from the Centre to be screened at international film festivals. In this case, the exemptions were either delayed or not granted, forcing organisers to cancel or postpone screenings.
The Kerala Chalachitra Academy, which organises the festival, said applications for the required permissions were submitted well in advance. However, approvals did not arrive before the scheduled screening dates, leaving the organisers with no option but to remove the films from the programme.
Several screenings had already been cancelled by Monday, including that of the 1925 classic Battleship Potemkin. Delegates who gathered for the shows expressed disappointment, while protest voices were raised at festival venues by film lovers and cultural activists demanding that the screenings be allowed.
Political reactions followed quickly. CPM leader M A Baby criticised the Centre’s move, alleging that it was an attempt to curb cultural freedom and interfere in the independent functioning of film festivals. He said international festivals exist to present diverse voices and viewpoints and should not be restricted through selective permissions.
Veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan also questioned the logic behind denying permission to films that are screened and studied worldwide. He described the situation as unreasonable and appealed to the authorities to reconsider the decision in the interest of artistic freedom.
Festival organisers said discussions with the Centre are continuing and expressed hope that permissions may still be granted, allowing some of the affected films to be screened later during the festival. They also said alternative arrangements outside official festival venues were being explored.
The controversy has once again brought the issue of censorship and state control over cultural expression into public debate, casting a shadow over a festival long known for showcasing bold and socially relevant cinema from across the world.