Union I&B Ministry clears 23 of 31 films denied censor exemption at Kerala fest

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted clearance for 23 of the 31 films that were initially denied censor exemption at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK).

The decision comes after the Kerala High Court issued a notice to the Ministry following legal action by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, which had sought screening permission for all 31 films. Eight films remain withheld from the clearance.

The development resolves part of the dispute over festival film screenings, though questions persist regarding the criteria applied to the remaining rejected films.