Nineteen films, which were not allowed to be screened at the film festival in Kerala, have become a controversy at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). The reason for this controversy is the denial or delay of mandatory censor exemption certificates by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which are required for screening. Among the affected films are several Palestine-themed and Spanish-language works. As a result, the organisers have had to cancel or postpone their scheduled screenings during the festival in Thiruvananthapuram, which is happening concurrently.
The list of films that were not allowed includes internationally acclaimed titles such as Battleship Potemkin, Once Upon A Time in Gaza, Palestine 36, All That’s Left of You, Beef, and Wajib, among others. A significant number of the films that have been denied relate to political conflicts, colonial history, or social resistance; hence, the criticism has been that the denials not only go beyond procedural delays but also signify that the content of politically sensitive materials is being subjected to increased scrutiny.
The festival officials mentioned that the applications for exemption certificates were submitted on time, but they did not get the approvals in time. Due to this, 19 films which were barred from the Kerala film festival couldn't be legally screened. The cancellations have affected the festival schedule and have left the audiences and filmmakers frustrated, especially since some of the films were a part of curated international sections.
The organisers stated that there were no specific reasons communicated for the denial of the permission, which added to the confusion and the anger of the film community. Senior filmmakers and cultural personalities condemned the decision and described it as an unprecedented move for a major international festival. They asserted that film festivals are usually considered as venues for the worldwide exchange of cinema and academic viewing, unlike commercial theatrical releases.
Political reactions were not delayed, with leaders and cultural organizations in Kerala blaming the Centre for the destruction of artistic freedom and meddling with the state-funded festival. Protest talks and public statements took place at the festival location, while the schedules were reshuffled to accommodate the changes at the last minute. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is yet to provide a full explanation to the public.
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