Thiruvananthapuram is all set to host a spectacular cinematic celebration as the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) kicks off tomorrow. Scheduled from December 12 to 19, this year’s festival promises an extraordinary feast for cinephiles with 206 films from 82 countries, showcased across 26 diverse categories.
Delegate pass distribution begins today at 11 a.m. at Tagore Theatre, where actress Lijomol Jose will receive the first delegate kit. The festival opens with the powerful Palestinian film Palestine 36, directed by Anne-Marie Jacir, bringing the struggles and resistance of the Palestinian people to the big screen.
Celebrated Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako will be honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his immense contribution to global cinema. As part of the birth centenary tribute to Egyptian cinema legend Youssef Chahine, IFFK will feature a special retrospective of his acclaimed classics including Cairo Station, Alexandria Again and Forever, and The Other.
The festival also shines a spotlight on Indian parallel cinema with three landmark works by Saeed Mirza. A vibrant collection of 57 world cinema titles adds further depth, while five acclaimed films by Indonesian auteur Garin Nugroho will be screened under the Contemporary Filmmaker in Focus section, offering audiences a rich and diverse cinematic experience.
