‘Zwigato’ to premiere in India at 27th International Film Festival of Kerala
The film has been selected as the opening film in the Kaleidoscope section of the festival. The screenings are on the 10th and 13th of December 2022.
IFFK 2025: On a night meant for cinema lovers, red carpets, and powerful stories from across the world, confusion quietly crept into the halls of Kerala’s most loved film festival. At the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), screens went dark not because films failed, but because permission never arrived.
What followed was not just a festival disruption, but a sharp face-off between the Kerala government and the Union government, turning IFFK 2025 into one of the most talked-about editions in its history.
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The shock decision that changed the festival
On December 16, Kerala’s Minister for Culture, Saji Cherian, made a strong announcement. He said the state government would ensure that all films cancelled by the Union government at IFFK would still be screened.
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The statement came after an unprecedented move by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which cancelled 19 films that were already scheduled to be screened at the festival in Thiruvananthapuram.
Why were the films cancelled at IFFK 2025?
Films shown at IFFK do not require a censor certificate unlike commercial movie releases. However, they do need a special censor exemption from the Union government.
According to organisers, the exemption was not granted for the 19 cancelled films leading to their removal from the festival schedule. This became the official reason behind the cancellations.
The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, which organises IFFK, had sent the full list of films nearly 10 days before the festival to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, following the usual process.
But just one day before the festival opened, the Academy received a letter listing the films that would not be allowed to screen.
Some films get late clearance
After strong reactions from the Kerala government and discussions between state and Union authorities, a few films were eventually granted censor exemption.
These include: ‘Once Upon a Time in Gaza’, ‘Eagles of the Republic’, ‘Tunnels: Sun in the Dark’.
Films from across the world affected
The cancellation list covered a wide range of countries and languages raising concerns about artistic freedom and global representation.
Among the cancelled titles were four films from Palestine, one film from Israel. There were several films from Egypt and Vietnam, Spanish-language films from Peru, Colombia, and Argentina.
Even classics and award winners were not spared
One of the biggest surprises was the cancellation of ‘Battleship Potemkin’. It is a 100-year-old Soviet classic widely regarded as a landmark in world cinema.
Also on the list were two films by Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako. He was selected for this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award at IFFK.
Adding to the controversy, two films that had earlier won IFFK’s top honour, the Suvarna Chakoram, ‘Clash’ and ‘Wajib’, were also denied permission.
Indian films on caste also blocked
The issue was not limited to international cinema. Two Indian films focusing on casteism, ‘Santosh’ and ‘Flames’, were also not allowed screening.
Their removal further intensified the debate. Many felt the decision reflected discomfort with sensitive social themes that exist even today.
“This is political,” says filmmaker Kamal
Veteran filmmaker Kamal, a former chairperson of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, openly criticised the Union government’s move.
Speaking to the media, he said the cancellations were political, not bureaucratic.
He explained that IFFK has always followed the same process, sending the film list in early December because confirming film availability takes time.
“Films have been denied permission without reason,” Kamal said. He added that the sudden cancellations point to political motives rather than administrative delays.
Strong words from Kerala government
Minister Saji Cherian described the Union government’s action as “anti-democratic” and said Kerala would not accept it.
“This is an attack on the rich culture of the state and the progressive nature of the festival,” he said. He also asserted that Kerala would stand by artistic freedom.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also issued a sharp statement, calling the decision “unacceptable.” He said the censorship reflected an attempt to suppress dissenting voices and diverse creative expression in the country.
“Enlightened Kerala will not bow to such acts of censorship,” Vijayan said.
Shashi Tharoor calls it an ‘unfortunate development’
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also weighed in, calling the controversy surrounding IFFK an “unfortunate development.”
Speaking to reporters, he said India has a strong tradition of respecting cinema and hosting international film festivals. He cited Goa and Kerala as examples.
“No film should be denied,” Tharoor said, adding that some earlier bans were “laughable.”
He warned that such decisions harm India’s global image and urged bureaucrats to develop a more refined understanding of cinema.
Earlier, in a post on social media, Tharoor had criticised the denial of clearance to all 19 films scheduled for screening.
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