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The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is poised to enhance the cinematic landscape with its 30th edition, taking place in Thiruvananthapuram from December 12 to 19. This year, festival organizers have assembled a diverse collection of 14 international films that reflect a range of cultures, from the captivating Khasi Hills of India to the dynamic regions of Latin America, East Asia, and the Middle East.
The festival will feature local talents, including Sanju Surendran’s If on a Winter’s Night, presented in both Malayalam and Hindi. Another significant entry is Unnikrishnan Avala’s Life of a Phallus, which showcases Kerala’s rich storytelling heritage. The Indian representation is further highlighted by Pradip Kurbah’s Khasi-language film The Elysian Field and the collaborative work Shadowbox by Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi.
Latin American cinema takes center stage
This edition prominently features films from Latin America. Ecuador’s Ana Cristina Barragán presents Hiedra, while Swiss-Argentine director Milagros Mumenthaler contributes with The Currents. Chile’s Nayra Ilic showcases Cuerpo Celeste, and the Argentine representation is strengthened by Luis Zorraquín’s Kissing Bug and the collaborative effort Before the Body by Carina Piazza and Lucía Bracelis.
Exploring Central and West Asian narratives
The lineup also features engaging projects from Central and West Asia, including Black Rabbit, White Rabbit from Tajikistan-U.A.E. by Shahram Mokri and The Settlement, a cross-cultural drama directed by Mohamed Rashad that weaves narratives from Egypt, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Turkish-Iranian filmmaker Gözde Kural adds depth with her film Cinema Jazireh.
East Asia’s vibrant contributions
From East Asia, the festival will showcase Tom Shu-yu Lin’s Taiwanese film Yen and Ai-Lee alongside Two Seasons, Two Strangers by Japanese director Sho Miyake. These films not only highlight the cinematic prowess of their respective regions but also enrich the festival’s overall narrative.
In addition to the competition section, IFFK emphasizes its commitment to showcasing Malayalam and broader Indian cinema. The Malayalam Cinema Today segment includes numerous new works such as All the Living, Ambrosia, and Await. This diversity reflects the vibrant and evolving nature of Kerala’s filmmaking landscape.
Indian cinema expands its horizons
The Indian Cinema Now section broadens the festival’s scope with films in Kannada, Hindi, Bengali, and other languages. Key titles include Don’t Tell Mother, Flames, and the Venice-winning Songs of Forgotten Trees. This expanded vision showcases the artistic diversity present within Indian cinema.
A glimpse into the Kaleidoscope section
The Kaleidoscope segment enhances the festival experience by presenting eight films that have garnered acclaim on the global festival circuit. Among these is the Tamil feature Bad Girl, the Sundance-awarded Marathi film Cactus Pears, and the Hindi film Homebound, which is positioned as India’s Oscar contender this year. This rich tapestry of narratives underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing innovative and regionally diverse works.
This year, the Country Focus will spotlight Vietnam, featuring a curated selection of five films that exemplify the country’s emerging presence on the global festival stage. Titles such as Cu Li Never Cries and Don’t Cry, Butterfly will reflect Vietnam’s unique storytelling traditions.
Honoring cinematic legends
The festival will also pay homage to contemporary Indonesian filmmaker Garin Nugroho with a dedicated segment featuring his works, including A Poet: Unconcealed Poetry and Birdman Tale. Retrospectives will honor two significant Indian filmmakers: Ritwik Ghatak, showcasing classics like Meghe Dhaka Tara, and Saeed Mirza, featuring renowned titles such as Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan.
The festival will feature local talents, including Sanju Surendran’s If on a Winter’s Night, presented in both Malayalam and Hindi. Another significant entry is Unnikrishnan Avala’s Life of a Phallus, which showcases Kerala’s rich storytelling heritage. The Indian representation is further highlighted by Pradip Kurbah’s Khasi-language film The Elysian Field and the collaborative work Shadowbox by Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi.0