India clears 23 previously blocked films for Kerala documentary festival

India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted permission for 23 films that were initially denied clearance for screening at the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala. The films are among 31 selected for the festival whose screening permissions had been withheld. The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy began legal action seeking clearance for all of them, prompting the Kerala High Court to issue notice to the ministry.

The court was scheduled to hear arguments on the matter on Saturday. Academy sources said eight films were still awaiting clearance, including five entries in competition categories such as long documentary and short fiction. Films that received permission are due to begin screening on the third day of the festival.

Organisers said a revised schedule would be published on the festival website, while delegates would receive updates by SMS. The cleared titles include films in the Short Film Competition, Focus, International and Festival Winners sections. They include “Globe”, “Bhintila Paath”, “A Handshake”, “Mother Tongue”, “Unstrung”, “Chapter Two”, “Birds of War”, “Inside” and “Melatonin”.

Other approved films include “Raha”, “Memories of a Window”, “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk”, “My Father and Gaddafi”, “Silenced”, “Landmarks”, “The Match”, “Cover-up”, “Fifty-Eighth” and “Shot Reverse Shot”. One approved film had been submitted from the waiting list and will not be shown as part of the official programme. Among films still awaiting clearance are “Sanitised Republic: Cast(e) and Contracts” and “Parliament Street”, according to the supplied report.