The 29th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), the state’s largest celebration of cinema, kicked off in style in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Nishagandhi Auditorium, drawing an audience from various sections of society. While Bollywood icon Shabana Azmi graced the ceremony as the chief guest, celebrated Hong Kong (SAR PRC) filmmaker Ann Hui received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
During the event, the Chief Minister lauded the festival’s international reputation as a champion of political and progressive storytelling, which distinguishes it from other film festivals. He stressed the importance of cinema as a medium to portray diverse social realities and cautioned against the growing influence of corporate interests on filmmaking. “Creating films that cater only to corporate interests can harm the essence of cinema,” he added.
The CM also highlighted IFFK’s commitment to shedding light on the struggles faced by marginalised communities, pointing out that this year’s “Country Focus” section celebrates Armenian cinema, renowned for addressing themes like genocide, civil war and displacement. “Through this festival, we bring the living conditions of the oppressed to the world,” he said.
Acknowledging the all-women lineup of honorees this year, he remarked, “In honouring Ann Hui, it is IFFK itself that is honoured. Let’s not forget that Shabana is not only an artiste but also an activist. The government is committed to creating an environment that ensures dignity for all women aspiring to join the film industry,” he concluded.
Speaking on the occasion, Shabana Azmi recalled attending the closing ceremony of IFFK’s inaugural edition in 1994 as the chief guest “Now, I am back and that reflects a long-standing association with the festival. Filmmaking is inherently collaborative, but actors often receive most of the awards because their faces are in front of the camera. However, countless people work tirelessly behind the scenes. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me on this journey. It is always a pleasure to visit Kerala and engage with its people, who have a taste for good cinema,” she said.
Check out glimpses from IFFK 2024 opening ceremony here:
Art transcends mere enjoyment – it reflects the spirit of our times, inspires change, and critiques societal realities. Embodying this vision, the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala begins today, celebrating the richness of global cinema and its innovative artistic… pic.twitter.com/uPxXgNl2Mv
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) December 13, 2024
While addressing the gathering after receiving her first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, Ann Hui expressed heartfelt gratitude and acknowledged the unwavering support of fans and film enthusiasts worldwide. “Together, we make films, not just the filmmakers. I would like to share this award with the fans and all movie audiences,” she said.
Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian presided over the event, which opened with a dance performance titled “Ende Keralam,” presented by Kerala Kalamandalam. Ministers V Sivankutty and GR Anil, Kerala State Chalachithra Academy (KSCA) chairman Premkumar, Director of Cultural Affairs Divya S. Iyer, and Kerala State Film Development Corporation Ltd. (KSFDC) chairman Shaji N. Karun were among the attendees.
A total of 177 films from 68 countries will be screened across 15 theatres in the capital city during this edition of IFFK. The festival’s opening film was the Portuguese political biographical drama I’m Still Here (2024). Guided by the theme of “intersectionality” in its logo and branding, IFFK will run for eight days, concluding on December 20. At the closing ceremony, filmmaker and Cannes Grand Prix winner Payal Kapadia will be honoured with the Spirit of Cinema Award, which includes a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a memento, to be presented by the Chief Minister.
On the second day, IFFK 2024 will showcase 67 films, including director Mohan’s Rachana (1983) and Utpalendu Chakraborty’s Chokh (1983) under the Homage category. Mooladhanam (1969), directed by P Bhaskaran and set against the backdrop of Kerala’s Communist movement in the 1960s, will also be screened as part of the Centennial Tribute category. Widely acclaimed films Emilia Pérez and Kishkindha Kandam will be featured during the day.
Ann Hui will open the digital art exhibition “Cinema Alchemy: A Digital Art Tribute” at the Tagore Theatre on Saturday. Curated by renowned director TK Rajeev Kumar, the exhibition honours 50 legendary filmmakers from around the world. Razi Muhammed, an artiste and filmmaker, has created digital paintings that capture the unique styles and visions of iconic directors like Akira Kurosawa, Alfred Hitchcock, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, G Aravindan, KG George, Agnès Varda, Márta Mészáros, Mira Nair and others. Meanwhile, Manaveeyam Veedhi in Thiruvananthapuram will be the hub for various art and cultural events throughout the festival.
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