THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The silver jubilee edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will officially kick-off on February 10 adhering to strict COVID-19 health protocol in the backdrop of the pandemic, the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy said. For the first time in the history of the festival, the venues have been divided into four different regions of the state--Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thalassery and Palakkad-- due to the pandemic.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the festival at 6.00 PM on Wednesday at the Nishagandhi auditorium here, followed by the screening of the inaugural film, ''Quo Vadis, Aida?

The Academy said prominent guests from across the world will join the festival online and the five-day first phase of the festival will conclude on February 14.

"The festival is scheduled to run between February 10 and 14 in Thiruvananthapuram, February 17-21 at Ernakulam, February 23-27 at Thalassery and March 1-5 at Palakkad.

The inaugural ceremony and the award distribution functions will be held in Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad respectively.

The festival duration has been reduced to five days of screening, in six theatres, at each venue, a release issued by the Academy said.