THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The eager wait for rare midnight screenings at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is about to become a thing of the past. The film festival is set to break free from conventional screening hours, turning cinema into a round-the-clock experience.
Starting this year, the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy plans to screen films through the day and night across multiple venues for six days of the festival, barring the opening and closing days. The 31st edition of the internationally acclaimed festival will be held from December 11 to 18 in Thiruvananthapuram.
According to the organisers, the extended schedule is intended to accommodate senior citizens, office-goers and younger audiences while easing the rush during daytime shows.
Academy chairperson Raveendran said the decision to make the festival 24X7 was taken considering the audience’s perspective. “Delegates come to IFFK not just to watch movies, but to experience cinema. We want to create a space where they can watch films at any time of the day or night,” Raveendran told TNIE.
Tagore Theatre, the main venue of IFFK, will be turned into a round-the-clock festival hub. The academy is also planning to add an average of two extra show slots per day across multiple venues.
‘Move aimed at reducing massive rush at venues’
On introducing 7am screenings, he said the early slot is particularly convenient for senior citizens and regular office-goers.
“Senior citizens can go for their morning walk, drop into the theatre to watch a film, and then go home to rest and relax for the day. We are calling it a ‘cinema with a morning walk’ concept!,” he said.
The late-night shows are expected to draw younger audiences, particularly Gen Z cinephiles who may prefer watching films at night.
“The primary goal behind extending the timing — late into the night and early in the morning — is to reduce the massive rush and long queues at venues. By adding show slots and using larger auditoriums, we give more delegates the opportunity to watch popular films,” said Raveendran.
“Logistically, we cannot control multiple venues late into the night due to police permission and security considerations. So we decided to keep one central venue fully illuminated and active 24x7, where delegates can walk in, watch a movie and leave at any hour. We are also checking whether we can extend Nishagandhi Auditorium and other select venues into a full-night screening space rather than restricting it to just two evening shows,” he added.