The Hindu : Front Page : Splendid start to film festival of Kerala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 09, 2006
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Splendid start to film festival of Kerala

Special Correspondent

Huge crowd of international filmmakers, artistes grace the occasion

MEMORABLE EVENT: O.N.V. Kurup releasing the IFFK festival book by presenting a copy to jury chairman Elia Suleiman. From left: Navya Nair, Sarada Muraleedharan, M.A.Baby and Anavoor Nagappan. — Photo: S. Mahinsha (another photo on page 4)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Honouring prominent artistes and technicians of Malayalam cinema and invoking memories of valiant struggles of the oppressed in different parts of the world, the 11th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) got off to a splendid start here on Friday evening.

In the presence of a huge crowd of international filmmakers and artistes, 20 prominent personalities of Malayalam cinema jointly inaugurated the festival, which turned out to be one of the memorable events in the golden jubilee year of the formation of the State. The artistes who graced the occasion expressed their gratitude to the organisers for bringing together different generations of the tinsel world on the festival platform. Patricio Guzman who was expected to head the IFFK jury was laid up due to cardiac illness and the festival organisers have entrusted the job to Palestine filmmaker Elia Suleiman. Mr. Suleiman's presence invoked valorous memories of the Palestinian struggle. Cultural Affairs Minister M.A. Baby, in his presidential address, and poet O.N.V. Kurup, in his felicitation, reminded the crowd of cineastes that Indians, especially Keralites, had always sympathised with the oppressed and aspired to become the universal citizen.The highlight of the inaugural ceremony was a cultural programme, Incredible Kerala, conceived and conducted by Nataraja Krishnamoorthy. Over 200 folk artistes participated in the programme. Culture Secretary Saradha Muralidharan welcomed the gathering. Festival director Beena Paul Venugopal gave an overview of the festival. Vice-chairman V.K. Joseph introduced the jury. Academy chairman K.R. Mohanan spoke. Secretary K.S. Sreekumar proposed a vote of thanks.

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