Amid Dileep’s allegations, Kerala govt and IFFK reaffirm support for survivor in 2017 actress assault case: ‘Avalkkoppam’

The opening ceremony was also notable for the presence of Abdullah M Abu Shawesh, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to India, who was welcomed by the attendees with thunderous applause. Speaking on the occasion, an overwhelmed Shawesh thanked the people of the state for their “unequivocal support for the cause of Palestine.” He added, “Tonight, through cinema, a small window opens into the soul of my people.” On the occasion, Shawesh also slammed the United Kingdom (UK), stating that it was the British who planted the seeds of “Palestinian misery.” In a powerful gesture of solidarity, Saji and Shawesh raised their hands together, reflecting a shared stand for justice and humanity.

Saji Cheriyan at 2025 IFFK opening ceremony.

While the event was vibrant, the absence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Kerala State Chalachithra Academy (KSCA) chairperson Resul Pookutty did not go unnoticed. For the unversed, the IFFK is hosted by the KSCA on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. However, Saji revealed that Resul’s absence was due to a work-related commitment he had taken on before assuming the KSCA head’s office. He did, however, assure that the Oscar-winning sound designer would be present during the closing ceremony. On the occasion, the minister also presented the Spirit of Cinema Award to Canadian filmmaker Kelly Fyffe-Marshall.

Following the event, director Annemarie Jacir’s historical drama Palestine 36 (2025), centred on the 1936 Palestinian revolt against British colonial rule, was screened as the opening film, making the festival’s pro-Palestine stance clear once again. Interestingly, the organisers have, this time, put together a category called From Under The Olive Tree, featuring films from Palestine. In addition to Palestine 36, movies such as All That’s Left of You, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, and The Sea will also be screened in this category in the coming days.

Widely regarded as one of Kerala’s biggest celebrations of cinema, this edition of the festival will screen 206 films from 82 countries. A total of 14 movies are in contention in the International Competition category this time. Director Sanju Surendran’s Malayalam-Hindi feature If on a Winter’s Night (Khidki Gaav), Unnikrishnan Avala’s Malayalam movie Life of a Phallus, and Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi’s Tillotama Shome-starrer Bengali drama Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi) are the Indian titles that have clinched spots in the category. Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof serves as the head of the jury for the International Competition, with the panel comprising Spanish actor Ángela Molina, Vietnamese director Bui Thac Chuyen, Malaysian filmmaker Edmund Yeo, and British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri.

The 30th IFFK will honour Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The current edition of the festival will conclude next Friday, December 19.