The 2025 edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is set for a grand finale this Friday, promising cinephiles a rich and diverse cinematic experience on its closing day. The festival will screen a total of eleven carefully curated films, spanning Palestinian narratives, world cinema, regional gems, and timeless classics, before drawing to a close with an evening ceremony.
A Diverse Finale: From Palestine to World Cinema
The closing day's schedule is a testament to the festival's global outlook. A dedicated Palestinian cinema section will feature 'The Sea' by Shai Carmeli Pollak. This poignant film, which follows a 12-year-old boy yearning to see the ocean, holds the distinction of being selected as Israel's official entry for the 98th Academy Awards. The World Cinema category will present 'Six Days in Spring' by Joachim Lafosse, a moving story centered on a divorced mother and her children.
The day's lineup is packed with acclaimed works from across the globe. Audiences can look forward to Susanna Mirghani's 'Cotton Queen', Carla Simón's 'Romeria', and Shang Lu's 'Gloaming in Luwomu'. The schedule also includes Lalith Ratnayake's 'Riverstone' and Christian Petzold's 'Mirrors Number 3', a film that earned the special jury award at the Lisbon festival.
Honouring Legends and Historical Focus
The final day also serves to honour cinematic masters. It will screen works by two filmmakers receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards. From Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako, the festival will present 'Waiting for Happiness'. The legendary Youssef Chahine's landmark work 'Cairo Station' will also be shown, celebrating his Cannes Lifetime Achievement Award.
Adding historical and regional depth, the program includes 'Once Upon a Love Story' by Trinh Dinh Le Minh. This film is part of a Country Focus segment marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Furthermore, the Latin American section will feature 'Inside the Wolf' by noted Peruvian director Francisco J Lombardi.
The Grand Conclusion in Thiruvananthapuram
All festivities will culminate at the Nishagandhi auditorium. The official closing ceremony is scheduled for 6 pm. Following the ceremony, attendees will be treated to the screening of the film that wins the prestigious Golden Crow Pheasant Award, bringing the cinematic celebration to a fitting end.
The closing day of IFFK 2025 successfully encapsulates the festival's spirit, offering a powerful blend of contemporary stories, directorial excellence, and historical reflections, all contributing to a vibrant close for one of India's premier film events.
