News from Civsy, based on generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data search

The 2025 International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) became the centre of a national debate on cultural policy and state control when the Union government blocked 19 films from being screened, including several Palestinian titles and canonical works of world cinema. Subsequent reporting shows that while the initial denials caused serious disruption and sparked protests, some of the affected films were later cleared after political intervention and public outcry.

Already scheduled and promoted
During the 30th IFFK in Thiruvananthapuram, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting refused to grant festival exemptions for 19 films that had been selected for various sections of the programme. Among those initially barred were Palestinian films such as Once Upon a Time in Gaza and other Palestine‑themed titles, as well as Sergei Eisenstein’s classic Battleship Potemkin, both of which had been widely advertised in the festival line‑up.

The decision affected films that had already been scheduled and promoted, forcing last‑minute cancellations and changes to the festival calendar. Delegates and programmers criticised the disruption as unprecedented in scale for IFFK, noting that the festival has long been known for showcasing politically engaged cinema from around the world.

Exemptions and procedure
Under Indian law, public screenings generally require certification from the Central Board of Film Certification, but international festivals can apply for special exemptions that allow uncertified films to be shown on a limited basis. For IFFK 2025, the organisers submitted the required exemption applications in advance for all relevant titles, including the Palestinian and Spanish films that were later blocked.

Reports indicate that the Union government declined to grant exemptions for a specific set of 19 films, without publicly issuing a detailed, title‑by‑title explanation for the denials at the time the decision became known. Media coverage and festival statements emphasised that the organisers had followed the same procedural steps as in previous years, reinforcing concerns that the intervention marked a departure from past practice.

The blocked and later cleared films
Contemporary coverage lists Once Upon a Time in Gaza and other Palestinian works among the films that were initially denied clearance, alongside titles from Spain and other countries. Classic films like Battleship Potemkin were also on the blocked list, drawing particular criticism because of their long‑established status in film history and previous circulation in India.

However, the situation evolved over the course of the festival. Following sustained protests by filmmakers, delegates and political leaders in Kerala, several of the initially barred films were later cleared for screening, and some reports describe the controversy as shifting from a blanket ban to a contested, negotiated reversal on a case‑by‑case basis.

Official silence and critical framing
Crucially, there has been no verified public statement from the Union Ministry explicitly citing ideological or political reasons, such as the films’ Palestinian themes, as the official basis for the denials. Official communication has largely framed the matter in bureaucratic terms, referring to certification and security procedures rather than openly acknowledging any political motive.

The stronger language describing the decision as ideological or arbitrary emerges primarily from filmmakers, commentators, opposition politicians and civil society voices reacting to the pattern of exclusions and the types of films affected. Their critiques argue that targeting Palestine‑related and politically charged works at a major festival undermines India’s image as a hospitable space for diverse global cinema, even if such assessments remain interpretive rather than grounded in explicit government justifications.

The blocking of 19 films at IFFK 2025 has triggered one of India’s most serious cultural censorship controversies in recent years. With Palestinian films and even globally recognised classics denied screening exemptions, without public explanation, the episode raises urgent questions about transparency, artistic freedom, and political interference in cultural spaces.

International festivals thrive on dialogue, dissent, and diversity. When those foundations are undermined, the impact goes far beyond one festival.

#IFFK2025 #FilmCensorship #FreedomOfExpression #WorldCinema #CulturalPolicy #ArtisticFreedom #IndianCinema #PalestinianCinema