The festival, organized by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, will run from September 25 to 30 at the Kairali, Sree and Nila theatres in Thiruvananthapuram, showcasing a slate drawn from roughly 1,800 submissions.
Out of those entries, a jury shortlisted 347 films, which were then forwarded to the central censor board for clearance. The Union Ministry has refused exemption for 31 titles and indicated that several others require further review, prompting the minister’s call for expedited processing.
Speaking at the inauguration of delegate kits on Wednesday, Vishnunandh assured filmmakers that “steps are being taken to complete these procedures and ensure the screening of all selected films.” He also opened the festival office at Kairali Theatre.
Renowned actors Shyam Mohan and Parvathy R. Krishna received the delegate kits, with Mohan noting the festival’s role in fostering appreciation for world cinema and attracting younger audiences that raise the overall quality of Indian filmmaking.
The ceremony was attended by K. Inbasekar, Director of the Department of Culture, Academy Secretary‑in‑Charge Sajith C.C., and Deputy Director (Festival‑in‑Charge) N.P. Sajeesh. Delegates can register online at https://registration.iffk.in, paying a fee of ₹590 for general participants and ₹354 for students, with offline registration also available at the Kairali venue.
The clearance issue underscores the delicate balance between artistic freedom and regulatory oversight in India; any delay could affect the festival’s schedule and the exposure of emerging documentary talent.