The 15th edition of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala will open this Friday

The 15th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), held by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, will go off this Friday with a screening of German director Steffi Niederzel's Persian Documentary Seven Winters in Tehran. The documentary, which won the Compass- Perspektive Award at this year's Berlin Film Festival, focuses on the Iranian legal system's inherent sexism, which condemns a rape victim to death for acting in self-defense against the rapist. The documentary will be shown at Kairali Theatre at 6 p.m.

During the festival, which runs until August 9, more than 300 documentaries and short films from across the world will be exhibited. The films will be shown in 23 different categories, including tribute, jury films, animation films, music videos, campus films, focus long documentary, and focus short documentary. 

Deepa Dhanraj, a seasoned filmmaker, will receive this year's Lifetime Achievement Award. Her broad filmography exposes issues like women's health, political engagement and resistance, education, and human rights. She is known for her intersectional approach, which is reflected in her documentary. The prize will be presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the closing ceremony on August 9.