THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the prestigious International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK ) turns 25, the festival complex announced by the successive governments still remains a dream for the state. Though four acres of land in Kinfra Park was identified for the project, plans to buy the property and build a festival complex there have been put on hold. The current setback is due to the COVID induced economic crisis.

Initially, the government planned to assign the KSFDC for making the project a reality as it felt that KIIFB would allot a fund of Rs 150 crore. However, KIIFB sanctioned Rs 67 crore for projects other than the complex. The government then decided to put the project on hold as it felt that a large amount will be required to maintain the complex once the 16-day festival comes to an end.

When the LDF government came to power, it decided to build a festival complex on the premises of Chitranjali studio. However, KSFDC opposed the move as it felt that there was not sufficient space for a film complex. which did not even have space for a film studio.