IFFK: Academy's alternative to film buffs

Thiruvananthapuram: To most, world cinema after IFFK would mean a browse through pirate DVD haunts, or downloading films. But there are legitimate alternatives,  some of them provided by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy itself.

Competition Films

The Academy keeps a stash of most of the competition films at the Academy library.  But it still has to ask the makers whether they would be ready to make it available here. “We don’t own the films. These are commercial films, and they would not want to give it to us for exhibition without payment,” says Academy Vice-chairperson Bina Paul. However, when asked if the more popular ones like ‘Clash’ would be made available, she said that they will try for it.  

Book a screening

You can book for a screening at the Academy’s preview theatre on any day for Sunday. Contact them a day before and pick a movie from the library. It has more than 2,000 films including world cinema classics, according to its librarian Gopeekrishna S. “You won’t find world movies released in recent years. As technology advanced, the filmmakers don’t submit their films in DVDs anymore. They provide a link, which becomes inactive when the festival gets over,” says Gopeekrishna. For three people, the viewing fee is Rs 90, and for every additional person, you will be charged Rs 20 each. The theatre has a maximum capacity of 20 people.

Touring Talkies

Touring Talkies was launched by Chalachitra Academy to take films from its archive to schools, colleges and halls across state. “There were more than 65 screenings this year, before the IFFK,” says Academy Chairperson Kamal. The talkies will continue  rounds throughout the year.

Small Film Festivals

In towns, far away from the IFFK venue, the Academy plans to hold film festivals of a smaller scale. “Last year the festival was at Nilambur,” says filmmaker Sibi Malayil, an executive council member of the Academy.