“This is my time, the annual holiday I look forward to.” Bengaluru-based software engineer Neethu Surendran is not talking about visiting any tourist destination. She is referring to her annual visit to Thiruvananthapuram every year in December as a delegate to the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). The 29th edition of the prestigious week-long festival begins on December 13, with 13,000 delegates having registered for the event. Neethu is among those cinephiles living outside Kerala who make sure to mark their presence at the film festival.
“For me, cinema is not just a medium of entertainment, it is a serious art, no matter the language. My friends, some of whom are now working in cinema, television and media, introduced me to IFFK in 2015. Once I got a taste of it, I couldn’t stop myself from coming here every year,” says Neethu, a native of Kollam. He is part of a group of film lovers, around 25 of them from within and outside Kerala, who visit the festival almost every year.
Neethu Surendran Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
These include Deepak Keloth, a US-based design engineer working with Intel. “I got introduced to world cinema while studying in Bengaluru. Once I started working there, I came to know about IFFK from my friend Jinesh [Jinesh P Joseph]From 2008 until I moved to the US in 2016, I participated in the festival. I have not been regular since going abroad. However, this year I had already planned well,” says Deepak, a native of Kannur.
Meanwhile, Jinesh, who is currently working as a microchip designer in Germany, will not have to attend the festival this time. “I have been attending this festival since 2007, thanks to my friend Nishant, and once I moved to Germany I have come four times. For me it has always been like knowing a new world through films. It is also about celebrating camaraderie,” says Jinesh, a native of Kozhikode, who was present at IFFK last year with his leg bandaged. “I twisted my ankle during a football match with friends. The doctor had advised rest for six weeks. But I didn’t want to miss going there at any cost!” he says on the phone from Germany.
Deepak Keloth Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The annual gathering of films showcasing acclaimed masterpieces from across the world is no less than a festival, says Deepak. “The whole of Thiruvananthapuram knows that a film festival is happening. I don’t think this happens any other place and that is why I love coming here,” says Deepak.
In the case of A Sripathy Parvataraja, an emerging actor from Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, serendipity brought him to the festival in 2022. “I registered for it thinking it was the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala.” IDSFFK). But what I did proved right and I have decided to come as long as I can,” says Sripati.
One Shripati Parvatraj. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
He admits that it took him time to understand and enjoy films in general. “There were times when I dozed off during the screening. But thanks to my friend I understood the story and the craft,” says Sripati, adding that his favorite whale, paloma,Jail 77, Pada, I am captain, And attam among others. He further added, “If I am unable to reserve a seat for a show, I go for the screening at Nishagandhi, where reservation is not required.”
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One of the many true ‘IFFK-ians’ is Mumbai-based writer and cinema lover Munaf Hasan. “Kerala takes it to another level when it comes to film festivals. I have been a regular at IFFI (International Film Festival of India) and MAMI Mumbai Film Festival and have also been to Kolkata International Film Festival a few times. But, I believe IFFK is king,” says Munaf, who has been a regular for eight years.
Munaf Hasan Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
He adds, “Even if you miss some gems in any other festival, you can find them in the IFFK package. Plus, there are a few surprises every year. Even when the schedule hasn’t been announced, you may blindly take delegate passes and book hotels because you know you’re going to one of the best film festivals in the world. I am completely biased towards IFFK. For me, it’s like the Cannes festival,” says Munaf, who has been a regular since 2016.
Vijayakumar RA, a graphic designer from Bengaluru, is one of the stalwarts of the festival, having been a regular since his student days at the College of Fine Arts in the capital city since 2003. “I somehow manage to take leave during this period. The Competition section is a must see, followed by the World Cinema section. Coming here is like a college reunion for me as most of our seniors and juniors from college will definitely be there,” says Vijayakumar.
Vijaykumar RV at last year’s edition of IFFK | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Coimbatore cinema artist Ashok Kumar says that the atmosphere of the festival has always been wonderful. “I’ve been coming here since 2006. The festive mood, the friendly people, the affordable food and accommodation, and above all, the bouquet of films – there’s a lot to love about IFFK. Once I visit the screenings, the venues and the food, especially After I finish my daily quota of Azad ki biryani, I also explore the city,” says Ashok, an ad filmmaker who also runs a few YouTube channels.
IFFK | Ashok Kumar (second from right) with his friends at a screening of. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
He says it’s usually a group of them that joins in the festivities. “I ran a film society, Cinema Club of Coimbatore, for a few years. Many members of the club frequented IFFK and some of us continue to do so,” he mentioned.
He also values the friends he makes at the festival. “I found cameraman S Venkatesh at IFFK for my YouTube channel. We struck up a conversation while waiting in line for a screening!” He says.
Vishwanath Sundaram Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
His association with the fetus affected some of his other friends. Like his friend Vishwanath Sundaram, who works in concept design and visual development in the film industry. Hyderabad-based Vishwanath says Ashok and other friends have been urging him to come to IFFK for almost six years. “This is my first visit to any film festival. It is going to be a different experience for someone like me who has been working purely in commercial films,” he says referring to the films he has worked in such as bahubali 1 and 2, RRR, Ponniyin Selvan, Salaar, Pushpa And Saaho“I was in Thiruvananthapuram last month for pre-production work Polymera 3. The city is beautiful…the temples, the beach and everything.”
Representatives say the aim is to see as many films as possible. One can reserve only three movies a day, so one has to stand in long queues for hours to watch the remaining movies. For most of them this is not an issue. While Ashok and Sripati like to limit it to three movies a day, there are some delegates who watch more movies than that. For example, Neethu’s quota is six.
A group of film lovers at IFFK Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Neethu adds, “I like to watch alone and stand in queues for hours. Iranian films top the list, followed by Spanish and films that have been in the news. The size of the theater is also a factor.
Discussions and debates are part of the whole experience. “Once we watch the opening film at Nishagandhi the gang sits down to decide on films to watch the next day. We don’t see in groups, each on his own. But at the end of the day, we come together and discuss what we saw. My record is 24 movies in four or five days… back-to-back movies with food or coffee/tea breaks in between. After the festival we calculate the total expenses and calculate each person’s share. Earlier we used to do it on Excel sheets!” Deepak says.
Meanwhile, Sripati has some suggestions for the organisers. “It would be great if the transportation system between theaters becomes streamlined. Sometimes we miss watching the entire movie. There is always chaos regarding reservation and it should be resolved.
The 29th IFFK, running from December 13 to 20, will feature 177 films from 68 countries, which will be screened on 10 screens. Details on website iffk.in
published – December 12, 2024 01:05 PM IST
