THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 26th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala kicked off at the Nishagandhi auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram. Actress Bhavana was a special guest at the function inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. It was Chalachitra Academy Chairman Ranjith who welcomed Bhavana to the stage. He addressed Bhavana as the ‘female symbol of struggle’.
Bhavana had been away from Malayalam cinema for the last few years. The actress, who is active in Kannada films, will return to Malayalam cinema through the film 'Ntikkakkakkoru Premandaarnnu.'
As many as 173 films from across the globe will be screened at the film festival. Films will be screened in categories such as International Competition, World Cinema, Retrospectives of major filmmakers, Indian Cinema Now and Malayalam Cinema Today.