'Kerala in solidarity with Palestine', Minister inaugrates state Film Festival

The curtains went up for the 16th edition of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) at the Kairali theatre in the state capital on Friday evening.
Inaugurating the ceremony, Kerala Minister for LSG, MB Rajesh said the festival is an expression of Kerala’s solidarity with the people fighting for justice in Palestine.

"The people there are struggling against the mindless violence perpetrated on them and the screening of four Palestinian films (An ode to resilience: Tales from Palestine) in the festival is a symbol of our support, he said. He also said that at a time when it is crucial to stress on tolerance of multiple perspectives in the country, the open spaces for debate that the IDSFFK festival provides is a symbol of Kerala’s democratic model."

Following his address, the minister presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to noted wildlife documentary filmmakers Naresh Bedi and Rajesh Bedi (Bedi brothers). In his acceptance speech, Naresh Bedi spoke of how the festival is a boost to young documentary filmmakers and stressed on the archival importance of these films.

The festival catalogue was released by Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Cultural Affairs, Dr. Rajan N Khobragade who presented it to noted screenwriter and the festival’s fiction jury chairperson Urmi Juvekar. Chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) Shaji N Karun released the festival daily bulletin by presenting it to award-winning documentary filmmaker Rakesh Sharma, who is the festival’s non-fiction jury chairman.
Film curator Amudhan RP, who has curated a package on social justice films for the festival, and Chalachitra Academy vice chairman Premkumar who gave the introductory speech at the event, also took part in the ceremony. The inaugural event concluded with a vote of thanks by Chalachitra Academy secretary C Ajoy.

Following the inaugural ceremony, celebrated filmmaker Raoul Peck’s documentary ‘Ernest Cole: Lost and Found’ was screened.(UNI)