Kerala film festival opens amid row over censorship of 31 documentaries

The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy launched the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) on Wednesday, but uncertainty clouds the event following the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's refusal to grant censor exemption for 31 films selected for the festival programme.

The contested films, primarily documentaries, would normally require approval from the ministry to be screened without undergoing the standard censorship process. The denial has left festival organisers in a bind as they prepare to showcase international and Indian independent cinema to audiences across the state.

The Kerala State Minister for Cultural Affairs stated that the Academy is pursuing all available channels to resolve the impasse, including exploring legal options to challenge the ministry's decision and secure clearance for the disputed films. Officials have not specified which documentaries face restrictions or the ministry's stated reasons for the denials.

The festival, which attracts filmmakers and documentarians from across India and abroad, typically features works addressing social, political and cultural themes. The censorship row highlights ongoing tensions between cultural institutions in states and the Centre's regulatory apparatus over screening permissions for documentary content.

Festival organisers are expected to announce further developments regarding the status of the blocked films in the coming days as the event proceeds with its scheduled screenings.