Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Dispute Grows Over Screening Permissions at Kerala Film Festival
A film festival in Thiruvananthapuram is facing a disagreement over which films can be shown.
The festival organizers say permission was denied for 31 films.
They asked the Union information and broadcasting ministry to change that decision.
The organizers had submitted information about 347 films.
They also sent detailed information and copies of 40 films after the ministry requested them.
The ministry says it has not refused permission to any film.
It says six films need more detailed descriptions and that some are being reviewed by other authorities.
Shashi Tharoor criticized the reported restrictions as harmful to free expression.
The festival is scheduled for September 25 to 30.
The Keralam State Chalachitra Academy asked the Union information and broadcasting ministry to reconsider screening restrictions affecting 31 films.
The 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival is scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram from September 25 to 30.
The academy had submitted 347 films and later provided detailed synopses and copies of 40 films at the ministry’s request.
The academy said the Centre still denied permission for 31 films, while the ministry said no film had been denied permission.
The ministry said six films require more detailed synopses and that some were sent to sectoral authorities for review.
- Who
- The Keralam State Chalachitra Academy, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shashi Tharoor, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw are involved.
- What
- The academy has asked the ministry to reconsider reported screening restrictions involving films selected for the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival.
- When
- The festival is scheduled for September 25 to 30; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
- Why
- The academy says permission was denied for 31 films despite submitting requested materials, while the ministry says six films need more detailed synopses and some are under review by sectoral authorities.
Academy and Critics
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Whether films were blocked
Academy and Critics
The Keralam State Chalachitra Academy says the Centre denied screening permission for 31 films even after it submitted additional materials.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
The ministry says permission has not been denied to any film selected for the festival.
Reason for the review
Academy and Critics
The academy and Shashi Tharoor view the reported restrictions as an unacceptable threat to freedom of expression and the festival’s international standing.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
The ministry says six films need more detailed synopses and that some films were sent to sectoral authorities for review based on their subjects.
Government response
Academy and Critics
Shashi Tharoor urged Ashwini Vaishnaw to overrule the officials responsible for what he called an appalling decision.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
The ministry has publicly clarified its position, saying the process involves requests for more information and reviews rather than outright bans.
- Festival
- 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival (IDSFFK)
- Location
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Scheduled dates
- September 25–30
- Films submitted
- 347
- Copies provided
- 40 films, after a ministry request
- Academy’s claim
- Screening permission was denied for 31 films
- Ministry’s clarification
- No film had been denied permission; six films were asked to provide more detailed synopses