177 films from 68 countries; IFFK to kick start in Thiruvananthapuram today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 29th International Film Festival of Kerala will kick off today at Nishagandi. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the function at 6 pm. Minister Saji Cherian will preside. Famous actress Shabana Azmi will be the special guest. The Chief Minister will give the Lifetime Achievement Award to Hong Kong director Ann Hui. The award consists of Rs 10 lakh and a sculpture. Then the opening film "I'm Still Here" directed by famous Brazilian director Walter Salles will be screened.

Ministers V. Sivankutty, G. R. Anil, V. K. Prashanth MLA, Mayor Arya Rajendran, Zilla Panchayat President D. Suresh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Culture Department Dr. Rajan N. Khobragade, Director of Department of Culture Divya S. Iyer, Film Academy Chairman Premkumar, Festival Curator Golda Sellam, Jury Chairperson Agnès Goddard, KSFDC Chairman Shaji N. Karun, Cultural Workers Welfare Board Chairman Madhupal, Film Chamber President B.R. Jacob, Academy Secretary C. Ajoy will be present. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the Spirit of Cinema Award to director Payal Kapadia at the closing ceremony on the 20th.

177 films from 68 countries

• 14 films in the International competition category
• Various categories like Malayalam Cinema Today, Indian Cinema Now, World Cinema, Festival Favorites, Country Focus, The Female Gays, Latin American Cinema, Kaleidoscope, Midnight Cinema, Animation, Restored Classics, Homage etc.
• There will also be Open Forum, In Conversation, Meet the Director, Aravindan Memorial Lecture and Panel Discussion.
• About 13,000 delegates and 100 filmmakers
• 70 percent of total seats in theatres can be reserved
• Skip-the-line entry for senior citizens
• Free e-bus service for delegates