THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 21st edition of International Film Festival of Kerala starting on December 9 will include screening of movies in print format. Six films in print will be showcased at Sree Theatre at 9 pm under ‘night classic’ category. “We want to give viewers in the current generation a feel of the older technologies and the experience associated with it. We do hope that the print projector at Sree will be maintained for this purpose.” said Chalachitra Academy Chairman Kamal.
Screening of movies will start from the inaugural day. 185 films from 62 countries will be screened at 13 theatres here between December 9 and 16. Migration is the theme of this year’s festival. Navid Mahmoudi-directed Afghan movie ‘Parting’ will be the first one to be screened.
The festival which is touted as one of the best in Asia has received overwhelming response from the public. 15,000 people have registered for the festival in three days and out of which passes have been limited to 13,000 delegates. The 13 theatres have a capacity to seat 9,000.
The festival will have various programmes along with the screening of movies. There will be a folk festival, exhibition that includes video installations of late film personalities. Tagore theatre will be the main venue for the festival. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the festival on December 9 at Nishagandhi auditorium.
The closing ceremony will be held at the same venue on December 16.
Controversies
The organisers said they were still awaiting the Central Government nod to screen controversial ‘Muhammad- The Messenger of God’ by noted Iranian director Majid Majid.
National anthem will be played before starting the movie as per the Supreme Court verdict. “Those who have a problem with the verdict can approach the court. We, as an organisation working under the government, will abide by the ruling,” said Kamal. On playing the anthem at Nishagandhi open theatre the organisers said they would seek legal opinion before taking a decision.