Centre approves 23 films for Kerala documentary festival after court intervention

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has cleared 23 films for screening at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), reversing an earlier decision to deny them censor exemption. The move follows judicial intervention by the Kerala High Court, which had issued a notice to the ministry after the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy challenged the original denial.

The Academy had filed legal action demanding screening permission for all 31 films that were initially blocked from receiving exemption from certification requirements. The Kerala High Court's intervention prompted the ministry to reconsider its position, leading to approval for the majority of the disputed films.

The approval of 23 films represents a partial reversal of the ministry's earlier blanket denial. However, eight films from the original list of 31 remain without censor exemption, indicating that the ministry maintained its restrictions on a smaller subset of the submissions.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between film festival organizers and regulatory authorities regarding documentary and short film screening standards in India. The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy's successful legal challenge underscores the role of judicial review in arts and culture administration.