States » SouthPosted at: Sep 25 2026 10:14PM


IDSFFK 2026 inaugurated: Kerala plans special scheme for young documentary filmmakers

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 25 (UNI) The Kerala Government is considering a special scheme to encourage and support young documentary filmmakers by bringing together the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, film societies, universities and media institutions, Culture Minister P. C. Vishnunath said on Friday.
Speaking after inaugurating the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) at Kairali Theatre here, the Minister said Kerala was the first State in the country to grant industry status to cinema and assured that necessary steps would be taken to support the film sector and its workers.
He said film festivals played an important role in nurturing new filmmakers, pointing out that several people who had participated in festivals as delegates had later established themselves in the film industry.
The Minister said legal efforts were continuing to facilitate the screening of all films selected for the festival. He also said the required office-bearers of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, including its Chairperson, were expected to assume office before the closing ceremony of the festival.
Describing IDSFFK as India's only documentary festival organised by a State, Vishnunath said the festival had Oscar-qualifying status. He said the dates of the festival were changed from October 2-7 to September 25-30 in accordance with requirements related to Oscar qualification.
Filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, said it was a matter of pride that Kerala had a festival dedicated to documentaries and short films.
He underlined the importance of film festivals as platforms for exposure to cinema and discussions on filmmaking, and said Kerala was fortunate to have a Culture Minister who loved and understood cinema.
The festival catalogue was released by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who handed it over to screenwriter, actor and Fiction Jury member Mrunmai Lagoo. The festival daily bulletin was released by Non-Fiction Jury Chairperson Ruchir Joshi, who handed it over to Lipika Singh Darai.
Fiction Jury Chairperson Sanju Surendran released the fellowship books. The three books are Thirayatam by Sreedevi P, Cinemaye Kelkumpol by Ajith Kumar A. S. and Veshangalude Drishyabhasha by Vidya Mukundan.
Felicitation speeches were delivered by Ruchir Joshi, Sanju Surendran, Mrunmai Lagoo, Lipika Singh Darai and Fiction Jury member Arun Karthick.
Sanju Surendran suggested that mentoring sessions and high-profile masterclasses could further enrich the festival. Lipika Singh Darai spoke about the challenges faced by single women in Odisha and said she was honoured to be part of the jury of the prestigious festival.
Arun Karthick said Kerala was an inspiration for its admirable film culture and recalled his experience of working as an assistant to Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
The six-day festival, being held from September 25 to 30, brings together documentary and short-film makers, jury members, delegates and film enthusiasts from different parts of the country and abroad.
UNI DS
Tags: #IDSFFK 2026 inaugurated: Kerala plans special scheme for young documentary filmmakers
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