Sarath ChandranKerala, Dec. 17 -- The 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), held in Thiruvananthapuram from December 12 to 19, has been thrown into controversy after the union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting refused to grant censor exemption certificates to 19 films, including several with Palestinian themes.
The festival, organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, now faces unprecedented disruption as scheduled screenings had to be altered for the first time in its history.
Films without a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate such as foreign titles and documentaries require a special exemption from the Ministry to be screened at Indian festivals.
Despite applying in advance, the ministry h...