Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday termed the denial of permission to screen seven films at 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) an attack on the freedom to select films for festivals.Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the festival, Satheesan said govt would take steps to screen the films if permission is granted, adding that govt has approached the court in the matter.Kerala High Court did not grant an interim order on govt’s plea and posted the case for hearing next month.Satheesan also announced that govt would establish permanent venues for screening short films and documentaries in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.Tourism and culture minister P C Vishnunadh said govt had immediately appealed to Union ministry of information and broadcasting after the films were denied screening permission.He also announced that award-winning Malayalam films screened at International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) would be screened at 17 theatres owned by the state govt from the upcoming edition of the festival, scheduled to be held from Dec 11 to 18.The decision followed representations from award-winning directors who said they are finding it difficult to get theatres to screen their films.Filmmaker Ruchir Joshi, speaking at the event, called for new legal and constitutional approaches to counter what he described as attempts at censorship by Union govt. “The last week was a learning experience for all of us. Let’s push back with every bit of freedom we have to fight the censorship,” he said.Friends of Jilipibala, directed by Debalina Majumder, won the Best Short Documentary award. Close Up, Up Close – The Making of Political UBU, directed by Kamal K M, was adjudged the Best Long Documentary. Bhintila Paath, directed by Shekhar Bapu Rankhambe, won the Best Short Fiction Film award.
