Kerala culture minister says Centre gave no reasons for blocking 31 festival films

At the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, scheduled for later this month in Thiruvananthapuram, 31 of the 347 chosen films have not been cleared for screening by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Culture minister PC Vishnunadh said the ministry has not offered any justification for the denial, merely providing a list of films that were approved. After the ministry requested detailed synopses for several titles, the Kerala team submitted them the next day but still received no permission.

The Kerala State Chalachitra Akademi has formally requested an exemption for the blocked films and is waiting for a reply. The disputed titles cover topics such as Delhi hospital sanitation workers during Covid-19, memories linked to Parliament Street, life in conflict-torn Gaza through video calls, and the tribal community of Attappady.