30th IFFK begins in Thiruvananthapuram with grand ceremony

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thirty lamps were lit at Nishagandhi as the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) began in the capital. Minister Saji Cherian inaugurated the festival. Over eight days, 206 films from 82 countries will be screened across 16 theatres.

During the opening ceremony, the minister presented the Spirit of Cinema Award to Canadian filmmaker Kelly Fyffe-Marshall. The award includes Rs 5 lakh, a sculpture, and a citation. The minister said that Malayalees can be proud that IFFK is the only film festival in the country to complete 30 editions. He added that its clear political stance is what makes this festival different.

A book on director Shaji N. Karun titled Karunayaude Camera was released by the minister, who handed the first copy to Anasooya Shaji. Director Rajeev Nath, who completed 50 years in cinema, was honoured at the event. Academy Vice Chairperson Kukku Parameswaran presided over the function. Chilean director Pablo Larraín was the chief guest. Palestine Ambassador Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh and German Ambassador Dr Philipp Ackermann attended as special guests.

Spanish actor and jury member Ángela Molina, Vietnamese filmmaker and jury member Bui Thac Chuyen, director Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Culture Department Director Dr Divya S. Iyer, KSFDC Chairman K. Madhu, T.K. Rajeev Kumar, director Kamal, Beena Paul, Chief Secretary Dr Jayathilak, Academy Secretary C. Ajoy, and Madhupal were among those present. After the ceremony, Palestine 36, directed by Annemarie Jacir, was screened.