International Film Festival of Kerala ()

Festival start: 10 December 2021      Festival end: 17 December 2021

26th International Film Festival of Kerala

10-17 December 2021

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Organised by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala

Cash Prizes: 52,600€

Official Awards

The Festival Jury will be the final and only authority to judge the films for international competition. The following are the awards in the International Competition section.
1.Best Film: Suvarna Chakoram (Golden Crow Pheasant) – memento, certificate and cash award of INR 20,00,000 (approx. USD 27,000) to be shared equally between the Producer and Director of the Best Film.
2.Best Director: Rajata Chakoram – a memento, certificate and cash award of INR 4,00,000 (approx. USD 5400) to the Best Director.
3.Best Debut Director: Rajata Chakoram – a memento, certificate and a cash prize of INR 3,00,000 (approx USD 4000) for the Best Debut Director.
4.Technical Excellence: (In any technical area) (Special Mention): Only Certificate
5.Performance Award (Special Mention): Only Certificate
6.Jury Prize: Only Certificate

Audience Poll: In addition to the above, the Festival Audience will vote one film as their Best Film in an Audience Poll, which will get Rajata Chakoram and a cash prize of INR 2,00,000 (approx. USD 2700) which will be shared between the producer and director of the film.

Other Awards
1. FIPRESCI Award: An independent jury set up by FIPRESCI will choose the Best Film from the International Competition and FIPRESCI Award for the Best Malayalam Film from the first or second film of a Director from the International Competition & Malayalam Cinema Today sections.
2. NETPAC Award: An Independent Jury set up by NETPAC will adjudge the Best Asian Film and the NETPAC Award for the Best Malayalam Film from the International Competition and Malayalam Cinema Today sections.
3. FFSI KR Mohanan Award: An Independent Jury set up by Federation of Film Societies of India (Kerala Region) will present a cash prize for the first or second film of a director from the Indian films in International Competition section, Malayalam Cinema Today and Indian Cinema Now sections. A cash prize of 100,000 INR will be given to the Director of the film.

Rules Regulating International Film Festival of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Department of Cultural Affairs Government of Kerala


The dates for the 26th IFFK are the following due to the Covid19 situation:

 Festival Dates: 10-17 December 2021.
 Films Completed between 01 September 2020 and 31 August 2021 are eligible to apply.
 Entry Submission period: 11 August to 10 September 2021.
 Preview Material deadline: 10 September 2021.
 Publishing of List of Selected Films: 20 October 2021.
 Deadline for Submission of Screening Materials:
25 November 2021.

Article 1. Organisation
The International Film Festival of Kerala will be held in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the capital city of Kerala, during the month of December every year. The international film and media professionals the world over have cherished the previous editions of the festival for its enthusiastic audience, wide representation and its warm hospitality. The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (The Motion Picture Academy of the State of Kerala, India) which conducts this festival is a body devoted to the promotion and propagation of quality cinema.

Article 2. Aims and Objectives
The festival aims at presenting a selection of the best of World Cinema and an International Competition section especially for films from Asian, African and Latin American countries. In order to encourage young and upcoming filmmakers, there is yet another award for the Best Debut filmmaker from these countries. The IFFK also showcases the Best of Malayalam Cinema for international audience.

Article 3. Sections

3.1 International Competition Section: Films with a minimum length of 70 minutes produced or co-produced in a country from Asia, Africa or Latin America in the last one year or which had its first theatrical screening after 1st September of the previous year of the Festival are eligible for applying to the International Competition section of the festival.

3.2. Malayalam Cinema Today Section: This section will showcase the best Malayalam films over the last one year. It aims to promote new talent and innovative styles of filmmaking. Emphasis will be given to films with high aesthetic value, experimentation with both content and form, and will be inclusive of gender and class diversity. It will be a window to Malayalam Cinema for the world to see.

Entry for the Malayalam Cinema Today section is for films in the Malayalam language. A maximum of 14 films will be selected in this section. Of 14 films, 6 films should be the first and/or second films of the directors. Of the 14 films, 2 films will be recommended by the selection committee for the International Competition.

3.3. Indian Cinema Now Section: Showcasing a selection of films from all regions of India. Entry for the Indian Cinema Now section is for films produced or co-produced in India in an approved Indian language other than Malayalam with a premier show in Kerala. A maximum of 9 films will be selected. Of 9 films, 2 films will be recommended for the International Competition Section.

3.4 Rules covering the International Competition, Indian Cinema & Malayalam Cinema sections: Selection committees recommend films for the International Competition. The IFFK invites the films as per the recommendation of the committees. Unless a special waiver is granted, only those films meeting the following conditions are chosen:

3.4.1. Entry for the International Competition is for films produced or co- produced in an Asian, African and Latin American countries. The nationality of the Director will not be taken into consideration. Indian films including Malayalam ones cannot apply for International Competition directly. Two films each from the Malayalam Cinema Today and Indian Cinema Now sections will be recommended by the respective selection committees for the International Competition.

3.4.2. Films that have been produced/or had first theatrical screening on or after
1st September of the preceding year of the festival and having English

subtitles are eligible to participate. For International films, where no proof is available, the date of the first theatrical screening will be considered. For all Indian films the date on the certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification will be considered. If no certificate is available, a signed affidavit on Rs 200 Stamp Paper stating date of completion of film will be considered. Theatrical screening dates will not apply to Indian Films. Censor certificate/affidavit should be submitted while applying.

3.4.3. Films selected for International Competition (except Indian & Malayalam Films) should not have participated in the competition section of any other International Film Festivals in India. An affidavit to this effect is to be submitted by the Producer prior to the final screening.

3.4.4. Selection of films for International competition, Indian Cinema and Malayalam Cinema are done by the respective Selection Committee set up by the Executive Board of the Academy. The decision taken by the Selection Committee will be considered as final and non-appealable. The Festival Director has a special right to waive any condition for participation in the International Competition.

3.5. Festival Kaleidoscope (Indian): The section is designed to showcase Indian Films that have received accolades in festivals around the world and the works of practising Indian Masters.

Indian films that have participated in any festival outside India (after 1st September of the preceding year of the Festival) from the following categories will be eligible in this section.

1. FIAPF-affiliated Competitive Feature Film Festivals
2. FIAPF-affiliated competitive specialised Feature Film Festival
3. FIAPF-affiliated Non-Competitive Specialised Film Festivals
4. Films by practising Indian Masters
5. Malayalam Film that has won the Best Film at the National Awards
6. Malayalam Film that has won the Best Malayalam Language Film at the National Award
7. Malayalam Film that has won the Best Film at the Kerala State Awards
The number of films in this section will not exceed eight. An internal committee set up by the Executive Board of the Academy will recommend the films adhering to the above mentioned criteria. The official information regarding the festival entry should be submitted by the producer. No special entry will be invited for this section.

3.6. World Cinema (Out of competition): Films except those in English must be in their original version with English subtitles. A Selection committee set up by the Executive Board of the Academy will recommend films for the non- competitive section called World Cinema. The films of Indian Masters can be included in the World Cinema section, if not submitted to any section of the festival.

3.7. Curated Sections: The following curated sections are also included in the festival:
1) Retrospectives 2) Homages and 3) Focus as per Festival programme

Article 4. General Rules
4.1. No legal claim can be filed for participation in the International competition.
4.2. No confirmed film shall be withdrawn from the festival programme.
4.3. During the festival, before the official screening, none of the invited films shall be screened outside the festival venue by the film makers or entrants.
4.4. Selection at any other International Festival does not ensure selection to IFFK.
4.5. Films or revised version of films submitted in a previous edition and screened before the Nomination or Selection Committee of the festival will not be considered for International Competition/Indian Cinema/Malayalam Cinema Sections but may be considered for inclusion in non-competitive sections.
4.6. Films selected in the International Competition, Indian Cinema and Malayalam Cinema sections will be screened by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy as part of its non-commercial screening activity in other parts of the State and outside the State with the permission of the rights holder.
4.7. All films screened in the Festival will be in the Original Language with English subtitles.
4.8. For all films without a Certification from the CBFC, the Festival will apply for an exemption to the I&B Ministry, Government of India, for the period of the Festival. The film will be screened subject to receiving this exemption. Regarding Indian Films, if the exemption from I&B Ministry is rejected, the producer can produce a CBFC Certificate within a stipulated time given by the festival failing which the film will be removed from the festival and a new film from the list given by the selection committee will be included at the discretion of the Festival Director.
4.9. A film submitted and not recommended by the selection committee, cannot be included in any other section (except Kaleidoscope, if eligible) in the same edition of the festival.
4.10. All disputes or issues if any, arising and relating to IFFK shall be governed by and construed in all respects with the Indian Laws and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts in Thiruvananthapuram.

Article 5. Entry deadlines & selection of films
5.1. The deadline for receiving the online submission form is 10th September of

each year or such other deadline specifically prescribed by the Executive Board of the Academy and preview material should reach Kerala State Chalachitra Academy by 12th September of each year of the festival. The DVD/pen drive/hard disk/online screener (.mov/mp4 file) with English subtitles should reach the Academy before the above-mentioned date. While sending preview material value may be declared as less than US $5. The parcel should be super scribed ‘No commercial value. For Cultural purpose only’. The Festival will not bear the cost of transportation of preview material. It will be returned on request at the owner’s cost. Preview materials can also be online links with permission to watch during the entire selection period.

PREVIEW DVD/DRIVE SHOULD BE SENT BY POST / COURIER ONLY. DELIVERY IN PERSON WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

5.2. Rules for Selection Committee
1. The Executive Board of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy will appoint the Selection committees consisting of eminent persons including filmmakers and others from different fields.
It is open to the Executive Board of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy to include in the Selection Committees such of the members of the General Council of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy who are associated with the film industry besides film critics and film activists.
2. The Executive Board of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy will implement a two-tier selection process if the number of entries is high. A Nomination Committee appointed by the Executive Board of the Academy will shortlist films for screening to the Final Selection Committee. The Nomination Committee will consist of persons associated with cinema. The two-tier selection process will not be applicable to the Malayalam Cinema Today section.
3. Members of the Selection Committees and the Nomination Committee should submit a signed affidavit in the prescribed format stating non-involvement of themselves or any close relative in the entries.
4. The Selection Committee can suggest films for screening in Sections other than
the entrants’ choice.
5. The Selection Committee has to view each film online or through physical sittings. But how much portion of the film to be viewed will be at the discretion of the Selection Committee. Detailed records will be maintained by the Academy.
6. The screening for selection to the following sections of the Festival can be either through online or through physical sittings: International Competition, Indian Cinema Now and World Cinema. The screening for selection to Malayalam Cinema Today will be only through physical sittings.
7. The festival will not provide feedback on the submitted films or specific reasons for the rejection of any film.

Article 6. Juries& Awards
6.1. Jury:
1. An independent International Jury appointed by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy will determine the prizes. The decision of the Jury will be final.
2. The Jury will sit in judgment of films chosen by the Selection Committee for International Competition.
3. In addition to the Cash Awards, the Jury is free to award Special Jury Awards and Mentions to any aspect of filmmaking. These will not carry any cash prizes.
4. For all other awards the Festival will facilitate the viewing of the films and the hosting of the Juries.

6.2 Awards
6.2.1. Official Awards
The Festival Jury will be the final and only authority to judge the films for international competition. The following are the awards in the International Competition section.
1. Best Film: Suvarna Chakoram (Golden Crow Pheasant) – memento, certificate and cash award of INR 20,00,000 (approx. USD 27,000) to be shared equally between the Producer and Director of the Best Film.
2. Best Director: Rajata Chakoram – a memento, certificate and cash award of INR 4,00,000 (approx. USD 5400) to the Best Director.
3. Best Debut Director: Rajata Chakoram – a memento, certificate and a cash prize of INR 3,00,000 (approx USD 4000) for the Best Debut Director.
4. Technical Excellence: (In any technical area) (Special Mention): Only Certificate
5. Performance Award (Special Mention): Only Certificate
6. Jury Prize: Only Certificate
6.2.2. Audience Poll: In addition to the above, the Festival Audience will vote one film as their Best Film in an Audience Poll, which will get Rajata Chakoram and a cash prize of INR 2,00,000 (approx. USD 2700) which will be shared between the producer and director of the film.

6.2.3. Lifetime Achievement Award: In the year 2009 the IFFK has instituted an Award for the International Film personality who has contributed to the art of cinema through their lifetime work: INR 10,00,000 (approx. USD 13,500) and a memento will be awarded.

6.2.4. It is open to the General Council to revise the amount of the Cash Award / Prize Money every year.

Other Awards
6.2.5. FIPRESCI Award: An independent jury set up by FIPRESCI will choose the Best Film from the International Competition and FIPRESCI Award

for the Best Malayalam Film from the first or second film of a Director from the International Competition & Malayalam Cinema Today sections.
6.2.6. NETPAC Award: An Independent Jury set up by NETPAC will adjudge the Best Asian Film and the NETPAC Award for the Best Malayalam Film from the International Competition and Malayalam Cinema Today sections.
6.2.7. FFSI KR Mohanan Award: An Independent Jury set up by Federation of Film Societies of India (Kerala Region) will present a cash prize for the first or second film of a director from the Indian films in International Competition section, Malayalam Cinema Today and Indian Cinema Now sections. A cash prize of 100,000 INR will be given to the Director of the film.

Article 7. Malayalam Language Films selected in IFFK
7.1. The selection committee set up by the Executive Board of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy will recommend a maximum of 14 Malayalam language films for the International Competition and Malayalam Cinema Today sections.
7.2. Malayalam language films selected for the International Competition section and Malayalam Cinema Today sections of the IFFK will be entitled to a grant of INR 1,00,000 (Rupees One Lakh only) each to the Producer and Director.
7.3. The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy will pay for the cost of the new English subtitled digital copy (DCP) of the Malayalam language films selected for the International Competition section and Malayalam Cinema Today section of the IFFK.
7.4. The Digital copy (DCP) will belong to the Academy and will be used for non- commercial and academic screening purposes with the permission of the rights holder.

Article 8. Insurance & Shipping
8.1. The festival will incur shipping cost of films invited for the Festival.
8.2. All films must be sent through the festival freight agent. The festival will not be responsible for films sent through any other means. Films are insured from Airport to Airport.
8.3. Films will be sent back to the participants in the address indicated in the entry form or as instructed in writing.
8.4. IFFK will pay storage and insurance costs of films selected for the festival throughout the period during which the cinematographic materials are held in the custody of festival authority. In case of print loss or damage, the liability of the festival authority will not exceed the value indicated in the official entry forms.
8.5. Any claim in case of any damage to the print must be communicated to the Festival within one month of return of the print.

8.6. The supplier of the film must ensure KDM Delivery and other material.
8.7. Digital Screening Material is insured. In case of damage in transportation the festival will not be responsible.

Article 9. Copies for archive
Film selected in the International Competition & Indian Sections can deposit an English subtitled Blue Ray / DVD copy of the film for use by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy for non-commercial, academic screening.

Article 10.
The Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy as Director of the festival has the authority to settle all cases not covered by the present rules. All appeals maybe addressed to the Festival Director.

Article 11.
No cuts or changes will be made in the films by the festival management for any reason. Festival undertakes to abide by International Regulations for Film Festivals not to screen an entry more than three times (excluding Jury screening).

Article 12.
12.1. The final DCP of each selected film must reach the Academy by 15th November of each year of the festival.
12.2. Acceptable formats are 35mm Print/DCP (Unencrypted, DCI Compliant – J2K, Interop or SMPTE DCP – Note: J2KInterop DCP to be only in 24/25 fps).
12.3. For films selected in the International Competition, World and Indian Cinema sections, it is expected to submit unencrypted DCP together with two DVD copies. If it is not received by 20th November of each year of the festival screening is liable to be cancelled.

Article 13.
The import, distribution & commercial exhibition of all films to be presented in any section of the festival will be exempted from customs duty.

Article 14.
Films will be presented within the official section of the festival, only if they have been produced following cinematographic professional rulings in the country of production and if their priority destination is for normal and continued theatrical exhibition.

Article 15.
List of films selected for the festival will be posted on the Academy website by 20th October of each year of the festival. Only the entrants of films selected will be informed in writing.

Article 16.
The festival will ensure that the films are screened at the best available theatres. The names of the theatres and their seating capacities will be made available for information. The festival will also make available a schedule of the entire programme that will take place during the festival period.

Article 17.
All relevant information regarding a film (press kit) should be furnished in the entry form for inclusion in the official festival book.

Article 18.
The festival will not present any film to any person or organisation (other than the International jury) before the official public screening or eventually, before the general screening for the journalists, unless specifically asked for by the producer.

Article 19.
19.1. Director or one Producer of a film selected for International Competition will be invited with full hospitality for participation in the festival.
19.2. In the World Cinema Section accommodation will be provided only for the director of the film or a written nominee.
19.3. Director and one Producer of a film selected in the Indian and Malayalam sections will be invited to participate in the festival. Invitation will be sent in the address mentioned in the entry form.
19.4. The Festival Director reserves the right to invite any person or persons connected with the film as guests for participating in the festival.

Article 20.
Participation in the festival implies acceptance of all the aforementioned regulations and selection conditions.

Article 21.
Preview materials should be sent by post/courier. (This is not applicable for entries with online preview screeners). Delivery in person will not be accepted.

All materials may be sent to the following address:

Executive Director International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK)
Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Kazhakuttom, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 585, Kerala, India
Tel: +91 8137990822 +91 471 2754 422, +91 471 2756 622, +91 471 2755 322
programme@iffk.in deputydirector@iffk.in
www.iffk.in www.keralafilm.com