IFFK to be held from Feb 10 in four phases

Forced by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic situation, the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy has decided to organise the 25th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala in four phases, across four regions spread out across the State.

Thiruvananthapuram: The 25 th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will commence from February 10, 2021. The conduct of IFFK will be subjected to the evolving situation of the global pandemic COVID-19 in a phased manner, said State Culture Minister A K Balan on Friday.

Speaking to media persons, Balan said, "Forced by the COVID situation, the film festival which was to be held in December was postponed to February. The silver jubilee edition of the IFFK would be conducted strictly in compliance with the COVID guidelines in four phases."

The four phases of the film fest would be spread out in four regions across Kerala; Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thalassery and Palakkad. To start with, the first phase of the IFFK would be at Thiruvananthapuram from February 10 through February 14.

The later phases have been scheduled as follows:

• Ernakulam: February 17 through February 21
• Thalassery: February 23 through February 27
• Palakkad: March 1 through March 5

In each region, the films would be screened in 5 theatres. A maximum of 200 persons would be allowed entry to each screening.

The inaugural ceremony of the IFFK would be held at Thiruvananthapuram and the Closing ceremony would be held at Palakkad. Only 200 persons would be allowed to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies also. Besides, antigen test facilities for the delegates would be arranged. No other public events in connection with the IFFK would be conducted during the festival.

All regular events such as Meet the Director, Press meets and the participation of foreign guests would be conducted through online platforms. All the movies listed for screening in this edition of IFFK would be screened in all the 4 regions. Four movies would be screened at each theatre per day during the festival. World movies and International movies sections would have two screenings and other sections would have one screening each on the festival days.

Considering the COVID situation, the delegate fees for the general category has been slashed to Rs 750 and that for student passes would be Rs 400.

Entry to the theatres would be based on the registration for screening. All theatres would be sanitised after each show. Besides, all COVID norms including physical distancing, masks and sanitisation, would be ensured. The delegate pass would be issued only on producing a COVID negative certificate after testing within 48 hours.

Minister A K Balan said the reopening of theatres in the State will be decided only after evaluating all aspects. However, the State Chief Minister, later in the evening on Friday, had announced that the State's theatres would be reopened by permitting half seating capacity from January 5.

The State Film Awards 2020 would be distributed on January 29 and the Television awards would be distributed on January 9, the Culture Minister added.