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International Film Festival of Kerala 2025: Major controversy has erupted at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) 2025 after the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) denied censor exemption to 19 films, triggering widespread criticism and forcing several screenings to be cancelled during the ongoing festival.
The decision has drawn sharp reactions from filmmakers, festival organisers and political leaders, who have questioned both the lack of explanation and the cultural implications of the move.
The 30th edition of IFFK, organised by the Kerala Chalachitra Academy under the state Department of Cultural Affairs, began on December 12 and is scheduled to conclude on December 19. This year’s festival features 206 films from 82 countries, making the disruption particularly significant for delegates and international guests attending the event.
As per existing regulations, films screened at festivals without a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate must receive a special censor exemption from the I&B Ministry. Festival authorities have stated that despite submitting all required documentation, clearance was denied to 19 selected titles.
Academy vice-chairperson Cuckoo Parameswaran confirmed the development and said discussions were ongoing. “We are in touch with the I&B Ministry officials and have furnished all details they have demanded. We expect that these films will be granted censor exemption,” she said, expressing hope that the situation would be resolved soon.
According to a senior academy functionary, no official reasons were communicated for the denial. “These films do not fall into any particular category. The Ministry has not cited any reasons for the decision. If not granted, the screening of these films will have to be cancelled,” the official said. So far, seven screenings have been cancelled, including that of the internationally acclaimed Russian silent classic Battleship Potemkin.
The list of films denied clearance includes A Poet: Unconcealed Poetry, All That’s Left of You, Bamako, Battleship Potemkin, Beef, Clash, Eagles of the Republic, Heart of the Wolf, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, Palestine 36, Red Rain, Riverstone, The Hour of the Furnaces, Tunnels: Sun in the Dark, Yes, Flames, Timbuktu and Wajib. Of these, three films are by Palestinian filmmakers, while a film by an Israeli director has reportedly been granted exemption, raising further questions among organisers.
Veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan strongly criticised the decision, suggesting it reflected a lack of cinematic understanding. “They may not have any idea about these films. Many of these are world classics and have been screened at several festivals. The decision should be reviewed. A film should not be judged on its title,” he said. Speaking to ANI separately, he added, “To advertise one’s ignorance like this is very bad for the government… It looks like sheer ignorance, nothing else.”
Filmmaker Kamal also voiced his anger, calling the ban deeply disappointing. “Very disappointing and very much angry with this ban… The history of cinema starts from Battleship Potemkin. Why are they banning it?” he asked.
The issue has also sparked political responses. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the situation as “most unfortunate” and criticised what he termed bureaucratic “cinematic illiteracy”. Writing on X, he said denying clearance to Battleship Potemkin was “laughable” and added that refusing Palestinian films reflected “over-cautiousness rather than cultural breadth.” Tharoor urged Ashwini Vaishnaw and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to grant expeditious clearance to avoid further embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Kerala Culture Minister Saji Cherian responded sharply, stating that the controversy had been “intentionally created to cause problems.” He emphasised that IFFK remains a model international festival and noted that no such issues had occurred in previous editions.
