Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has decided to do away with the inaugural ceremony of the 22nd International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in view of a trail of tragedy left by Cyclone Ockhi.
The government wants to conduct the festival without any luxurious event. The Kerala government has come under severe criticism from various corners for alleged failure to handle properly the rescue operations during the onslaught of the cyclone.
The decision was taken at a meeting attended by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, cultural affairs minister A K Balan and office-bearers of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.
The festival will kick off with the screening of French-Lebanese film The Insult (L’insulte Ziad) at Nishagandhi auditorium in the capital city on December 8.
The Insult, directed by Ziad Doueiri, is a courtroom drama that explores questions of guilt, justice, and honor in Lebanon.
This year's festival will focus on identity and space and will have 190 films from 65 countries.