Films denied permission, will be screened at Kerala festival: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

After the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry refused permission to screen 19 films at the 2025 International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram, the state government announced that the films would still be screened as part of the festival.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan argued that film festivals are platforms for artistic expression and debate, not instruments for ideological control. In a strongly worded response, Vijayan said, “All films that have been denied permission to screen will be screened at the festival. The Union Government's action of denying permission to films that were to be screened at the 30th Kerala International Film Festival is unacceptable. The censorship at the film festival is a direct reflection of the totalitarian rule of



the Sangh Parivar regime, which suppresses diverse voices and creative expressions in the country. Enlightened Kerala will not give in to such censorship.”

The event, which began on December 12 and runs till December 19, is organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and typically draws thousands of delegates from across the globe. The list of barred films includes several titles focused on Palestine and the Spanish film Beef, resulting in schedule gaps and widespread criticism from attendees and organisers.

Among the films denied are Palestine 36, Yes, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, and All That’s Left of You, all of which address Palestinian themes. Notably, Palestine 36 was selected as the festival’s inaugural film and had already been screened.