Sun Mar 23 15:11:00 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Prison Hosts First-of-its-Kind International Film Festival
**Thrissur, Kerala, March 24, 2025** – The Viyyur Central Prison and Correctional Home is hosting the inaugural Thiruthu Film Festival, a five-day event showcasing over 25 films from around the globe. This unprecedented initiative, a collaboration between the International Film Festival Thrissur (IFFT), Kerala State Film Development Corporation, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, and the State Prison department, aims to use cinema as a tool for prisoner rehabilitation and social change.
The festival, inaugurated today by V.S. Prince, president of Thrissur district panchayat, will feature classic and contemporary films from countries including India, France, the Netherlands, Georgia, Japan, Bangladesh, Italy, Peru, and the U.S.A. The diverse selection includes works by renowned directors such as Satyajit Ray, Akira Kurosawa, and Charlie Chaplin.
IFFT chairman M.P. Surendran emphasized the festival’s goal of fostering social change and stimulating dialogue on important social issues often overlooked. The organizers believe the films will offer solace and a creative outlet within the prison environment.
The event will also include discussions with prominent figures from the arts and sports, including poet Rafeeq Ahmad, actor Sunil Sukhada, and footballer I.M. Vijayan, who will share their perspectives on cinema’s transformative power.
IFFT executive director Cheriyan Joseph described the festival as a transformative experience for prisoners, paving the way for creative expression and positive change. He sees it as a pioneering step in Indian cinema festivals, highlighting the vital role of art and culture in rehabilitation. The festival is expected to grow in future years.
First Piper 