Thiruvananthapuram: The 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), one of India’s most prestigious film events, is set to begin on December 12 — and it will open with the globally acclaimed Palestinian drama Palestine 36. Directed by Annemarie Jacir, the film has earned international praise for its powerful depiction of the 1936 Palestinian uprising against British rule.
The movie, which won Best Film at the Tokyo International Film Festival and represents Palestine in the Oscars race for Best International Feature, promises an impactful start to this milestone edition of IFFK.
Celebrating three decades of world cinema excellence, this year’s festival will showcase over 200 films from nearly 70 countries across 16 theatres in the Kerala capital. The international competition section will be judged by a distinguished panel led by award-winning Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, adding global weight and prestige to the event.
Along with world cinema, the festival will feature popular sections like Indian Cinema Now, Malayalam Cinema Today, retrospectives, and special tributes — offering film lovers a rich and immersive cinematic experience.
As IFFK marks its 30-year legacy, the opening with a powerful story of resistance and identity sets the tone for a week of thought-provoking and world-class cinema.
