Mon Dec 15 13:32:27 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewritten news article:

Summary:

The 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is facing a significant setback as the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has denied censor exemption to 19 films slated for screening. This unprecedented mass denial includes Palestinian films, Sergei Eisenstein’s classic “Battleship Potemkin,” and internationally acclaimed works. The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy reports no specific reason or pattern for the denials. The cancellations have disrupted the festival’s schedule, disappointing delegates and sparking criticism. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) accuses the Union government of undermining the festival and dictating cultural life.

News Article:

IFFK Rocked by Unprecedented Censorship as 19 Films Denied Screening

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA – December 15, 2025 – The 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has been thrown into chaos after the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denied censor exemption to a staggering 19 films scheduled for the event. The move, described as unprecedented by organizers, has led to cancellations and widespread disappointment among festival attendees.

Among the films barred from screening are Palestinian works, including “Palestine 36” and “Once Upon a Time in Gaza,” as well as Sergei Eisenstein’s seminal Soviet-era masterpiece, “Battleship Potemkin.” Other notable films denied exemption include the Spanish film “Beef” and Sandhya Suri’s “Santosh,” which has garnered international acclaim. Even works by Abderrahmane Sissako, the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, have been affected.

The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy reports a lack of clarity or specific justification from the Ministry regarding the denials. Critically, several films that were approved for screening at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa have been rejected for the IFFK.

The mass censorship has drawn sharp criticism. M.A. Baby, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), condemned the Union government’s actions, stating they represent an attempt to undermine state-level cultural events and dictate the cultural landscape of the country. “These actions… are a sign of the dangerous situation that the country is currently heading towards,” said Baby.

Festival organizers are scrambling to fill the gaps left by the cancelled screenings, but the incident has cast a shadow over the 30th edition of the IFFK, raising concerns about artistic freedom and government censorship in India.

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