The prestigious International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has become the centre of a major controversy involving artistic freedom and state versus central authority. The festival's organisers, led by Kerala Cinema Academy President Resul Pookutty, have decided to screen all scheduled films, directly defying the central government's denial of permission for several entries.
Pookutty Condemns "Illogical" Censorship
Oscar-winning sound designer and Academy President, Resul Pookutty, has launched a sharp critique against the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The ministry denied permission to screen approximately 19 films at the festival, including works focusing on Palestinian narratives and the Spanish film 'Beef'. Pookutty highlighted the absurdity of censoring films already in the public domain.
Taking to social media platform X, he pointed out the case of 'Battleship Potemkin', a classic film freely available on YouTube. "What @iffklive is showing is a restored version. When this film is available on Youtube, what censorship is #I&B doing?! It's illogical," Pookutty stated, echoing sentiments expressed by MP Shashi Tharoor. He condemned the move as a strange and inappropriate method of control.
Kerala Government Stands Firm on Artistic Freedom
In a powerful show of defiance, the IFFK organisers, with the full backing of the Kerala state government, proceeded to screen all films as originally planned. The festival is being held in Thiruvananthapuram from December 12 to December 19, 2025.
In a video message, a determined Resul Pookutty announced, "Forgetting all the controversies... all films are being screened as planned as per the announcement of the Kerala government. Long live cinema!" Among the banned films were 'Palestine 36', 'Yes', 'Once Upon a Time in Gaza', and 'All That’s Left of You'. Notably, 'Palestine 36' was the festival's chosen opening film and was screened before the central government's intervention.
Political Backing and International Resonance
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan delivered a strong statement at the festival's ceremony, framing the issue as one of fundamental rights. "Film festivals should be a platform for artistic expression and debate, not a tool for controlling opinion," he asserted. He confirmed that all denied films would be screened and labelled the Centre's actions as inappropriate and a "show of kindness by the Sangh Parivar regime." He declared that a wise Kerala would not tolerate such censorship.
State Culture Minister Saji Cherian expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause, which was further underscored by the presence of Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah M. Abu Shavesh, at the ceremony. This collective stance from the state government, festival authorities, and the diplomatic community has turned IFFK 2025 into a significant flashpoint in the ongoing national debate about creative liberty and political oversight in the arts.
