Kerala advances IDSFFK 2026 to Sept 25-30

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 14 (PTI) The 18th IDSFFK, Kerala's premier festival for documentaries and short films, will now be held here from September 25 to 30, instead of the earlier announced dates of October 2 to 7, state Tourism, Culture and Film Minister P C Vishnunadh said on Tuesday. The government later issued a statement revising the festival schedule for the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, saying the dates had been advanced "considering technical facilities and organisational arrangements." The statement said the festival, organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, would be held in Thiruvananthapuram from September 25 to 30. "It has now been decided to complete all festival-related procedures on time," it said. Earlier in the day, the minister had told reporters that the IDSFFK would be organised at Kairali, Sree and Nila theatres, with preparations already under way. IDSFFK is the only international film festival in India dedicated exclusively to documentaries and short films that is organised by a state government. Over the years, it has become an important platform for innovative cinema, socially relevant films and emerging filmmakers from India and abroad. The minister said the festival enjoys international recognition as an Oscar-qualifying event. Award-winning documentaries at IDSFFK become eligible for direct consideration for the Academy Awards, making the festival an attractive platform for filmmakers from across the world. A total of 1,741 entries have been received for this year's edition from India and overseas. The selection process is underway to shortlist films for the competition, non-competition and Malayalam non-competition sections. Separate selection committees have been formed to evaluate entries in the Long Documentary, Short Documentary, Short Fiction, Animation, Music Video and International Campus Films categories. The films will be selected through a transparent process in line with international standards, the minister said. Preparations for the six-day festival include upgrading technical facilities, screening arrangements, delegate services, academic programmes and guest participation to ensure the event is conducted in international standards. PTI TGB ADB