The 28th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala commenced on Friday

The 28th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) opened its doors in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. As part of the State Cabinet's participation in the Navakerala Sadas, a mass outreach campaign, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke to the assembly via recorded video. "The IFFK's steadfast political content sets it apart from the largest festivals in the nation. One illustration of such is the collection of films that show support for Palestine. There aren't many events that demonstrate this kind of unity," he remarked.

Wanuri Kahiu, a Kenyan director who won this year's Spirit of Cinema Award at the festival, was praised by Mr. Vijayan for her resistance to her nation's censorship system. "Even after imperialist forces left Kenya, the effects of colonialism can still be seen there, as seen by the suppression of artists and filmmakers," the speaker declared.

Mayor Arya Rajendran of Thiruvananthapuram gave Kenyan director Wanuri Kahiu, who is renowned for using her work as a protest against the traditional norms of her nation, the Spirit of Cinema Award for the year.

“Cinema is the language of love, of life. Stories were created before us. As filmmakers, our joy is to express these stories. There can never be a film that is banned or censored because the story comes before the filmmakers. These are stories of human experience and existence. My film Rafiki may live in exile now, but I know one day it will come home to Kenya. Filmmakers and storytellers in this country and beyond will find a way to be the vessel for such stories,” said Ms. Kahiu. Actor Nana Patekar, chief guest of the function, thanked the people of the State for the warmth and love extended to him.

More details, visit https://iffk.in/