IFFK 2025 row: Kerala govt to screen all films despite Centre's delay in giving clearance

Thiruvananthapuram: Triggering yet another Centre vs State political row over film censorship, the Kerala government has decided to go ahead with screening of all films scheduled for the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) 2025 irrespective of the the nod pending from the Centre.

Alleging that screening permission to many films were being denied as part of Sangh Parivar agenda, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed the organisers of IFFK 2025 to screen all the films without waiting for the Centre's nod.

"Censorship on film festivals is yet another move to impose the Sangh Parivar agenda of suppressing diversity and voices of dissent. It's yet another instance of trying to impose dictatorship. Kerala society will not succumb to such moves. All films scheduled to be screened at IFFK will be screened," Vijayan said.

Cultural affairs minister Saji Cheriyan said that such moves by the Centre would put the conduct of international film festivals in serious crisis. Hence it should be strongly resisted. During the Kolkata film festival also, there was a similar issue and the West Bengal government also decided to go ahead with the screening, he said.

As per norms, films that do not have censorship certificate require exemption certificate from the Information and Broadcasting ministry for screening at film festivals in the country.

The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, which is the organiser of the event, had sought permission to screen 187 films at the IFFK 2025. Exemption was pending for 19 films, of which four were given nod by Tuesday.

The row deepens as films related to Palestine conflict, including Palestine 36, were among those awaiting Centre's nod. Some of the films were already screened at film festivals in India earlier.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who also took up the matter with the Centre, said in a social media post that the denials defy logic, are disheartening to all who seek to promote India on the world stage, and diminish our cultural standing both abroad and at home.

Meanwhile, the row over the screening permission has also triggered a parallel confrontation over the absence of Chalachitra Academy chairman Academy award-winner sound designer Resul Pookutty at IFFK 2025 owing to his other schedules. 

Filmmaker Kamal came out in the open stating that persons like Pookutty who are having busy schedules should have been spared from such responsibilities. The academy officials are stating that even as Pookutty was not physically present, he was discharging his responsibilities.