THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After regaling movie buffs in the capital over the past one week with over 184 critically-acclaimed films from 62 countries, curtains came down on the 21st edition of the International Film Festival Of Kerala (IFFK) on Friday.
This year’s IFFK witnessed the largest number of delegates - 14,000 - even though theatres in the city, where the films were screened, could accommodate only 9,000 spectators.
This year’s film fete this year had many firsts to its credit. It was the first film festival in Asia to give transgender persons identity and space. The meet had its share of controversies too. The Supreme Court order that people in cinema halls should rise for the national anthem elicited opposition from a section of the delegates whose defiance led to a few arrests.
On the concluding day of the festival, Culture Minister A K Balan said IFFK was able to overcome the controversies surrounding the national anthem and also withstand the demonetisation drive. With the IFFK drawing such a large number of international visitors, the government is now mulling attractive tour packages to coincide with the festival.