The 2025 International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has been forced to withdraw three films from its schedule following a stern warning from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The ministry raised strong objections and threatened legal action if the movies were screened, citing potential risks to national safety and security.
MEA's Firm Stance Forces Festival's Hand
At a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, Resul Pookutty, the chairperson of the state-run Chalachitra Academy which organises the festival, revealed the development. Pookutty stated that the organisers decided against screening the films after the MEA communicated that proceeding would not be in the interest of the country's safety. The ministry explicitly warned that it would have to invoke other legal sections if the festival violated its directive.
"So, without political consultation, the academy decided on its own not to screen these movies," Pookutty told reporters. The festival is set to conclude on Friday.
A Rollercoaster of Censor Exemptions
The controversy revolves around six films that ultimately did not receive the censor exemption necessary for festival screening. These films are:
- 'All That's Left of You'
- 'Yes!'
- 'Eagles of the Republic'
- 'A Poet'
- 'Flames'
- 'Clash'
Pookutty explained that initially, none of the films had received exemptions. Clearances were then granted in batches, leaving these six in the lurch. Interestingly, three of them—'Eagles of the Republic', 'A Poet', and 'Flames'—had already been screened earlier in the festival. This was after the state government had declared it would show all films regardless of permission, following the denial of exemptions to many entries.
Confusion and Last-Minute Changes
The entire process caused significant confusion behind the scenes. Pookutty noted that the venues for some films had to be changed at the last minute due to the initial uncertainty over whether they could be screened at all. The festival organisers found themselves navigating between the state government's initial defiant stance and the federal ministry's firm legal warning.
The decision to pull the three remaining films marks a cautious retreat, prioritizing compliance with the MEA's advisory over a potential confrontation. The episode highlights the complex interplay between artistic expression, festival curation, and governmental regulations concerning content deemed sensitive to national interests.
