In 1998, Thiruvananthapuram hosted the International Film Festival of India. The festival caused a surge of interest in serious cinema in the state of Kerala. Soon after the festival, a number of film societies emerged throughout the state. They hosted screenings of classic films from all over the world and discussions on various aspects of cinema. The film society movement helped the Government of Kerala realize the need for a major film festival that would promote cinema in the state.
The inaugural edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala was held in 1996 in Kozhikode, also known as Calicut. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of cinema, the festival screened 100 films. In 1999, the festival was accredited by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Association) as a competitive specialized film festival, and its program expanded to include a competition section.
The competition section features no more than 14 films made in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The main award of the International Film Festival of Kerala is the Golden Crow Pheasant Award (Suvarna Chakoram). It is given to the best feature film. The award is accompanied by a monetary prize shared equally by the producer and the director. The jury also awards two Silver Crow Pheasant Awards: to the best director and to the best debut director.
Other awards given at the IFFK include the Audience Award, the FIPRESCI Award for the Best Malayalam Film, the FIPRESCI Award for the Best International Film, the NETPAC Award for the Best Malayalam Film, and the NETPAC Award for the Best Asian Film.
Along with the competition section, the program of the festival also includes non-competitive sections such as Malayalam Cinema Today, Indian Cinema Now, Country Focus, World Cinema, Contemporary Masters in Focus, Korean Panorama, First Look, Women Power, Based on True Story, 3D Experience, Restored Classics, Jury Films, and Lifetime Achievement Awardee Films.
Photo: iffk.in
