IFFK fever to hit capital city from Friday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 28th Kerala International Film Festival will begin on Friday, setting the stage for a seven-day-long film screening. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event online at Nishagandhi Auditorium at 6 pm. Bollywood actor Nana Patekar will be the chief guest, Film Academy Chairman Ranjith announced in a press conference.

Mayor Arya Rajendran will present Spirit of Cinema Award to Kenyan director Wanuri Kahiu. Festival Curator Golda Sellam will introduce this year's packages. 175 films will be screened in the fair. The Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi will be presented at the closing ceremony of the festival.

V.K. Prashant MLA, District Panchayat President D. Suresh Kumar, International Competition Section Jury Chairperson and Portuguese Director Rita Azevedo Gomez, Latin American Package Curator Fernando Brunner, Sound Designer and Director Rasool Pookutty, Film Academy Chairman Ranjith, Vice Chairman Prem Kumar, Director Shyama Prasad, KSFDC Chairman Shaji N. Karun, Cultural Workers Welfare Board Chairman Madhupal, Culture Department Secretary Mini Antony, Film Chamber President BR Jacob and Academy Secretary C. Ajoy will participate. ‘Goodbye Julia’ directed by Mohamed Kordofani will be screened after the opening ceremony.

Suvarna Chakoram for the best film will get a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh. The best director eligible for the Rajata Chakoram will get Rs 4 lakh and the debutant director will get Rs 3 lakh. The director of the film who is eligible for the Audience Award will receive Rs.2 lakh and the best debutant director in India who is eligible for the KR Mohanan Endowment Award will receive Rs.1 lakh.