The Covid 19 pandemic adversely affected many film festivals across the world and several of the festivals went hybrid. However, Kerala was resolute in its decision to go ahead with the 25th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), while striving to ensure a safe environment for viewers.
The industry was hard hit and several people depending on it for their livelihood had hard times to make ends meet. The pandemic had put a halt to the release of several films. The International Film Festival of Kerala 2021 edition that that kickstarts on February 10 aims to revive the hard hit industry and help reconnect people. About 44 films at the 25th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala are the ones produced either partially or fully during these testing times, a release said.
OPENING FILM
The opening movie ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’, which portrays the Bosnian genocide of 1995, was entirely shot during the pandemic.
The film was nominated to the 93rd Academy Awards as the Bosnian entry for the Best International Feature.
FILMS
As per the schedule, nine out of 14 films in International Competition category, 6 films in the Indian Cinema Now category, 7 films in the Malayalam Cinema Today category are the ones that had made their way out through the pandemic, the release said.
‘Churuli’, a science-based horror fiction directed by filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery will have its premiere at the festival. ‘C U Soon’ a computer screen experimental film entirely shot on iPhone during Covid times will also be screened in this International Film Festival of Kerala.
