The 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala has encountered a major setback after the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry denied censor exemption to 31 films scheduled for the event.
The decision has placed the screenings in doubt just days before IDSFFK 2026 opens in Thiruvananthapuram on September 25. The Kerala government has requested the Centre to reconsider the decision, saying no reasons were provided for rejecting the applications.
The affected list includes 18 films from the official selection, nine titles from the International Non-Fiction section, three from the Festival Winners category and one from the Nepal Package. The Malayalam film Globe is among the titles that have not received permission.
Films presented at recognised festivals do not always need a regular certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification. However, uncertified titles require a special exemption from the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry before they can be publicly screened.
Ministry denies exemption after reviewing 40 films
The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy initially submitted 347 films to the ministry for exemption from certification requirements. The applications included synopses describing the content, themes and subjects of the selected films.
The ministry subsequently requested additional information about certain titles. In response, the academy submitted detailed synopses and screening copies of 40 films for further examination. Of these, 31 were denied exemption. The affected titles include Parliament Street, Sanitised Republic: Cast(e) and Contracts, Globe, Memories of a Window, Birds of War, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk and Our Land.
The films explore a wide range of political, social and humanitarian subjects. Sanitised Republic: Cast(e) and Contracts examines the experiences of sanitation workers at Delhi hospitals during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. It also explores contractual employment and caste-related aspects of sanitation work. Parliament Street examines the relationship between personal memories, public history and one of Delhi’s most recognisable locations. Globe focuses on the lives and experiences of tribal communities in Attappady.
Kerala government asks Centre to review decision
Kerala Culture Minister P.C. Vishnunadh has urged the Union government to reconsider the denial of screening exemptions. He said the ministry had not explained why the 31 films were refused permission. Several international titles affected by the decision deal with conflict and political unrest. Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk documents life in Gaza through video conversations between filmmaker Sepideh Farsi and Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassouna.
Memories of a Window examines protests in Iran using footage recorded by civilians. Birds of War draws on the archives of a Lebanese journalist and a Syrian activist to explore revolution, conflict, displacement and exile.
The controversy resembles a dispute at the 2025 International Film Festival of Kerala, when 19 films were initially denied exemption. Some of those titles were later cleared for screening. With the festival scheduled to begin on September 25, organisers are awaiting a response from the Centre. Unless the decision is revised, the 31 films may have to be removed from the IDSFFK 2026 screening schedule.
