Centre rejects Keralam allegations that 31 movies were denied screening at film festival

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Monday rejected the Keralam government’s allegations that the Centre had denied permission to screen 31 movies at an international documentary and short film festival in the state.

On Saturday, Keralam Culture Minister PC Vishnunadh alleged that the Union government had not given any reasons for denying the permission to screen the movies at the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival.

The information and broadcast ministry had “only sent us the list of films that have been granted permission”, the Hindustan Times quoted Vishnunadh as saying. It had asked for synopses for several films, “which we sent the next day”, the minister had added.

The film festival will be held between September 25 and September 30 at Thiruvananthapuram.

While movies being screened at film festivals do not require a censor board certificate, the information and broadcasting ministry must grant them an exemption from censorship.

Among the films allegedly denied permission for screening are Sanitised Republic: Cast(e) and Contracts. It is about the lives of sanitation workers employed at hospitals in Delhi during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The list also includes Parliament Street, a film that explores public and personal memories associated with the Delhi road of national importance.

Put Your Soul On Your Hand and Walk, a 2005 Arabic-language documentary on the list, explores life in Gaza through video calls between...

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