Archive · 17 Dec 2025
IFFK to Screen All Films Despite Central Denial
The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has decided to show all the movies they planned to, even though the central government hasn't given permission for more than a dozen of them.
The Kerala government and the festival organizers want to protect the freedom to express ideas through films.
They had some discussions with the central government to try and get permission for the remaining films, and four of the films waiting for clearance were approved.
The festival will still go ahead with all the movies as planned, including those that are still waiting for approval.
This includes some movies that talk about the Palestine conflict and a very old classic movie called Battleship Potemkin.
The organizers and the Kerala government believe it's important to show all these films, no matter what the central government says.
Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congress leader, criticized the central government's decision, calling it a sign of bureaucratic illiteracy and over-cautiousness.
IFFK will screen all selected films as scheduled despite the central government's denial of clearance for more than a dozen titles.
Kerala government defends freedom of expression and directs festival organizers to screen all selected films.
Four out of 19 films awaiting clearance were granted censor exemptions.
Discussions held with the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to seek permission for the remaining films.
Shashi Tharoor criticizes the central government's decision, calling it bureaucratic illiteracy and over-cautiousness.
- Who
- International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) and Kerala Chalachitra Academy
- What
- Decision to screen all selected films despite central government's denial of clearance for more than a dozen titles
- When
- Festival scheduled from December 12 to 19
- Where
- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Why
- To uphold freedom of expression and proceed with the festival as planned
Kerala Government and Festival Organizers
Central Government
Freedom of Expression
Kerala Government and Festival Organizers
Defend the right to screen all films, including those awaiting clearance, to uphold freedom of expression.
Central Government
Deny clearance to certain films, citing bureaucratic and possibly political reasons.
Film Selection
Kerala Government and Festival Organizers
Argue that the denied films, including classics and those previously screened in India, should be shown without censorship.
Central Government
Maintain that some films require clearance and should not be screened without approval.
- Festival
- International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK)
- Dates
- December 12 to 19
- Location
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Films Denied Clearance
- More than a dozen
- Films Cleared
- 4 out of 19 awaiting clearance
- Controversial Films
- Titles linked to Palestine conflict and Battleship Potemkin
- Organizer's Stance
- Proceeding with all films as scheduled
- Government's Stance
- Defending freedom of expression
- Shashi Tharoor's Criticism
- Bureaucratic illiteracy and over-cautiousness in denying clearance
Sources
IFFK To Screen All Selected Movies Despite Centre Denying Clearance
Will screen all movies denied censor nod at Kerala film festival, Pinarayi Vijayan says
"Bureaucrats Have To Grow Up": Shashi Tharoor On Kerala Film Fest Row
'Extraordinary Degree Of Cinematic Illiteracy': Shashi Tharoor Reacts To Kerala Film Fest Row
IFFK 2025 Censorship Row Explained: Why 19 Titles Were Denied Screening? Kerala Government's Defiance Of Centre
