Distribution of pass has been started

The state government has decided to set up a film city and theatre complex at Chithranjali within two years. The theatre complex, which will have multiple screenings at the same time, will facilitate the smooth conduct of IFFK, said Minister for Culture A.K Balan.  He was inaugurating the festival office and pass distribution of 21st IFFK at Tagore Theatre on Wednesday.  A total of 100 crore rupees would be earmarked for this purpose, he said.

The film city, coming up at Chithranjali, will encourage artists and create more job opportunities, the minister said. In order to bring back the culture of cinema talkies, the government has decided to construct 100 theatres  in suburban and semi-urban regions across  the state.  Initially, 20 theatres will be set up as part of this initiative. The government also considers setting up of district-wide cultural complexes across district headquarters in order to encourage various cultural activities and traditional arts, he said.

The Minister also said that the state would take initiatives to conduct children’s film festival in collaboration with the national film festival.

Actor Manju Warrier received the first delegate pass from the minister.  As part of the festival’s transgender-friendly gestures,  Manju Warrier handed over the IFFK delegate pass to transgender activist Sheetal Shyam.  Festivals like IFFK would help in wiping away the gender biases, said Sheetal Shyam.

Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman Kamal delivered the presidential address. “There is considerable increase in the number of delegates this year. The maximum number of delegates we can afford is 9000. But this year it has risen to 13000. We hope everyone will understand and cope with the limitations”, said Kamal.Cultural affairs secretary Rani George , Chalachitra Academy secretary Mahesh B, KTDC chairman M Vijayakumar, directors  Lenin Rajendran and T V Chandran, and Kerala Chalachitra Academy vice-chairperson Bina Paul were present on the occasion.

The distribution of delegate pass has been started .Registered delegates can collect the pass along with the festival kit on producing  the fee receipt at the delegate cell ,Tagore theatre .There will be separate counters for students and differently abled citizens. Delegates can collect the pass from 9am to 8 pm.