The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has denied permission for the screening of 19 films at the 2025 International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), including four films related to Palestine.
The Palestine-themed films barred from screening are Palestine 36, Yes, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, and All That’s Left of You. These films had already cleared the festival’s initial selection process. Notably, Palestine 36, presented in Arabic and English, was selected as the inaugural film of the festival.
Other films denied clearance include A Poet: Unconcealed Poetry, Bamako, Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 classic Battleship Potemkin, Spanish film Beef, Clash, Eagles of the Republic, Heart of the Wolf, Red Rain, Riverstone, The Hour of the Furnaces, Tunnels: Sun in the Dark (Địa Đạo: Mặt Trời Trong Bóng Tối), Flames, Timbuktu, Wajib, and Santosh.
As per procedure, the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, which organises IFFK under the state’s Department of Cultural Affairs, submits the list of films to the Union Ministry in advance for approval. The Ministry has the authority to deny permission to films it considers potentially harmful to diplomatic relations.
Kerala authorities stated that no specific reasons were communicated for the denial of permission for these films.
IFFK, held annually in Thiruvananthapuram, attracts thousands of delegates, filmmakers, and cinema enthusiasts from India and abroad. The festival commenced on December 12 and will conclude on December 19.
Reacting strongly, CPI(M) state general secretary M.A. Baby criticised the decision, calling it an attempt to undermine the film festival, and urged artists, filmmakers, and democratic voices to oppose what he described as an unjustified move.
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