Kerala Film Festival Announces Lineup for 31st Edition with New Critics Section

Film Lineups Announced

The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy announced the film list for the 31st International Film Festival of Kerala, which takes place in December. The international competition features ten films, including Chinese film Embers directed by Aoqian Sun, Brazilian film Gugu's World directed by Allan Deberton, Mexican film I am Mario directed by Sharon Kleinberg, Filipino film Silenced Nights directed by Lawrence Fajardo, Iranian film Slumber directed by Mani Moghaddam, Uzbek-Kazakh co-production Ouroboros directed by Tatiana Lyutaeva, Iranian film People's Child directed by Mahmoud Karimi, Uruguayan film Sweet Violence directed by Jeremias Segovia, Bangladeshi film Bonolata Sen directed by Masud Jassan Ujjal and Mexican film The Silent Virgin directed by Xavi Sala.

Indian and Malayalam Selections

Four Indian films join the competition: Padayaatra directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Chevittorma directed by Leo Thaddeus, Selvi directed by Sailesh Rethnakumar and Members of the Problematic Family directed by Ramalingam Gowtham. The Malayalam Cinema Today section includes A Duck Tale by Arun Verghese, Ottanjaavalmaram by Shruthi Sharanyam, Domestic Circus by Ajmal Hamsa, Metro Paramo by Shinos Rahman and Sajas Rahman, Eko by Dinjith Ayyathan, Leftover by Salim Ahamad, Moscow by Nainan Anto, Not a Cinema by Manu Viswambharam, Ekadesham by Don Palathara, Rivo Rukaiah by Jaachii I, Kallalan by Ajai Prasad and Trace of Wind by Sharon Manuel Joy. The Indian Cinema Now section features Hunter's Moon by Ridham Janve, Master Bantoo by Arsh Jain, Urmi by Deba Prasad Behera, An Evening Ballad by Bishal Swargiary, The Ink Stained Hand and the Missing Thumb by Yashasvi Juval, Rehmat by Gurvinder Singh and Whispers of the Shadow by Romi Meitei.

Critics Discovery Section

A new Critics Discovery section launches to strengthen international representation of Malayalam cinema. This project introduces artistically distinctive Malayalam films to prominent global critics and industry figures to gain wider audience attention at festivals. The films in this section are Vasara directed by Lekshmi Pushpa, Sudeeptham directed by Deepesh T., Ezhu Niramulla Swapnam directed by Priyanandanan T.R., Tharkam directed by Sajin Baabu and Nebula directed by Mithun Narayan.

Context

Film festivals serve as vital platforms for independent and regional cinema to reach global audiences and secure international distribution. Events like this help spotlight diverse cinematic voices from different countries and languages that might not otherwise find mainstream global screens.