Sun Dec 08 16:54:57 UTC 2024: ## Kerala’s IFFK Embraces Social Relevance, Celebrates Women Filmmakers

**Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 8, 2024** – The 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), set to run from December 13th to 20th, will showcase 177 films from around the globe, emphasizing social relevance and celebrating women’s contributions to cinema. Higher Education and Social Justice Minister R. Bindu inaugurated the festival’s media cell, praising IFFK’s commitment to bringing quality, socially conscious cinema to the public. She highlighted the festival’s role in showcasing diverse life experiences and offering viewers a cinematic journey across the world.

The Minister lauded the festival’s increased participation of women filmmakers, reflecting the Kerala government’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality in the film industry. This year’s IFFK will feature notable figures including Lifetime Achievement awardee Ann Hui, Spirit of Cinema awardee Payal Kapadia, and International Jury chairperson Agnès Godard, along with four women directors featured in the “Malayalam Cinema Today” segment.

Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairman Prem Kumar echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of this year’s lineup, particularly the involvement of festival curator Golda Sellam. Sellam herself stressed the vital role of media in the success of such festivals, noting that the IFFK is among the world’s best. The inauguration ceremony, presided over by Kerala Media Academy chairman R.S. Babu, also saw the presence of KSFDC chairman Shaji N. Karun.

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