The event took place at Nishagandhi Auditorium, Kanakakunnu Palace, Thiruvananthapuram.
In the event 175 films were screened, out of which two Malayalam films were selected for the competition.
The 28th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) kicked off yesterday with a virtual inauguration led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Nishagandhi Auditorium, Kanakakunnu Palace, Thiruvananthapuram. Bollywood actor Nana Patekar graced the event as the chief guest. The festival featured 175 films, with two Malayalam films—Family by Don Palathara and Thadavu by debutant Fazil Razak—shortlisted for the final round of the competition.
In the Malayalam Cinema Today category, notable works included Aattam by Anand Ekarshi, Ennennum by Shalini Ushadevi, Five First Dates by K Rinoshun, Neelamudi by V. Sarathkumar, Applechedikal by Gagan Dev, B 32 Muthal 44 Vare by Shruthi Sharanyam, Scheherazade by Vignesh P Sasidharan, Valasai Paravakal by Sunil Kudamaloor, Dayam by Prashant Vijay, Anand Monolisa Marunavum Kathu by Satish and Santhosh Babusenan, O Baby by Ranjan Pramod, and Kathal, The Core by Jeo Baby.
Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran presented the Spirit of Cinema Award to Kenyan director Wanuri Kahiu, while the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Polish producer, director, and screenwriter Krzysztof Sanusi.
Awards at the festival included the Suvarna Chakoram for Best Director (Rs 20 lakh prize), Rajatha Chakoram (Rs 4 lakh), Best Debutant Director (Rs 3 lakh), Audience Award (Rs 2 lakh), and FFSI KR Mohanan Endowment Award for Best Debutant Director in India (Rs 1 lakh).
The international competition category’s Best Film will be chosen by a jury headed by Portuguese director Rita Acevedo Gómez, featuring Latin American director Pablo Cesar, New York-based film scholar Boukari Savadogo, film critic and curator Kiki Fung, and filmmaker Pan Nalin, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts directorial branch.
Fiprasky Awards will be decided by a jury including Pierre Simon Gutman, a Paris-based professor of film history; Melis Behlil, a film professor at Istanbul University; and Dr. Meenakshi Dutta, a cultural studies professor at Assam Women’s University.
The NETPAC Award jury includes Sri Lankan director Prasanna Vithanage as chairman, South Asian researcher Mara Mata, and Vidyashankar N, former artistic director of the Bangalore International Film Festival. The winner will be announced by K.R. Mohanan.
