IFFK 2025: Kerala's Cultural Minister orders screening of all films that were banned by the Centre

IFFK 2025

Saji Cherian, Kerala's Minister for Cultural Affairs, told the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on On Tuesday (December 16) to go ahead with the screening of all the films that are part of the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).

This includes 15 films that are still waiting for censor exemption from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).

The Minister made a strong statement against the Union government, saying that it was hurting Kerala's long-standing progressive cultural values.

He called the Centre's actions "anti-democratic" and said that any attempt to mess with the festival's artistic spirit would be met with strong opposition.

Also Read: IFFK 2025: Centre bans screening of 19 films, sudden decision causes gaps; Read the entire list of banned movies

"We can't accept an approach that hurts the tradition and progressive nature of IFFK." Cherian said, "The State government will not back down from any attacks on artistic freedom."

The Minister also said that all 19 films that were first denied Central approval have since been recognized and well-received by audiences around the world. He said that festival delegates had a good reason to see these movies, since the titles had already been officially listed in the festival schedule and catalog that were sent out ahead of time.

Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister, also spoke out against the Union government's decision. He said in his statement that the restrictions on the festival showed authoritarian tendencies meant to silence a wide range of creative voices. "Kerala won't give in to this kind of censorship." The Chief Minister said, "Every movie that has been denied permission to be shown will be shown at IFFK."

The festival, which has been held every year for more than 30 years, faced an unprecedented crisis when the censor exemption was denied. Many politicians, cultural figures, and filmmakers spoke out against the Centre's move, saying it was a direct attack on freedom of speech. On Monday night, there were protests at the Tagore Theatre, which is the main venue. Members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) protested against the restrictions.

Partial Approval Given

The I&B Ministry gave the green light to five of the 19 films early on Tuesday, though. Some of the titles that were approved are Beef, Eagles of the Republic, Heart of the Wolf, Yes, and Once Upon a Time in Gaza.

But some well-known movies are still not allowed to be shown. Palestinian titles like "Palestine 36" and "All That's Left of You," as well as Sergei Eisenstein's famous 1925 Soviet-era classic "Battleship Potemkin," which is widely considered a landmark in film history. The Ministry also turned down Santosh, a movie about police violence and caste discrimination.

Timbuktu and Bamako, directed by Abderrahmane Sissako, are also affected. This year, Sissako will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the IFFK. Bamako looks closely at how global financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank affect Africa's economic problems.

Several of the banned movies, such as the Egyptian drama Clash and the Argentine movie The Hour of the Furnaces by Fernando Solanas, had been shown at earlier versions of the festival. Other movies that were not allowed to be certified are Red Rain, Riverstone, Tunnels: Sun in the Dark, and Flames.

Even though the standoff is still going on, festival officials said that screenings would go on as planned, as the State government had ordered.