Censorship Row Erupts as Indian Government Blocks Screening of Gaza-Related and Other Films at Kerala Festival

Censorship Row Erupts as Indian Government Blocks Screening of Gaza-Related and Other Films at Kerala Festival

Thiruvananthapuram, India — A major controversy has erupted at the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) after the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denied permission for 19 films — including several addressing Palestine and Gaza — to be screened at the prestigious cultural event, drawing sharp criticism from artists, activists and politicians who say the move signals political censorship. 

Federal Government Blocks Films Without Public Explanation

On December 15, the central government refused to grant the mandatory censor exemption certificates required for festival screenings to a group of 19 films selected for IFFK 2025, effectively halting their scheduled showings. Among the affected titles were Palestinian narratives such as Palestine 36 and Once Upon a Time in Gaza, as well as internationally recognized works including Sergei Eisenstein’s classic Battleship Potemkin. 

Officials have not publicly stated a specific reason for the denial, a decision that has puzzled festival organizers and filmmakers given that applications were reportedly submitted well in advance. Industry veterans have called the move inexplicable from a cultural standpoint. 

Critics Call It Censorship of Pro-Palestine Expression

Critics argue that the denial goes beyond routine procedural oversight and amounts to political suppression. Activists and student groups have condemned the action as an attempt to curb voices of solidarity for Palestine at a moment of heightened global attention to the conflict in Gaza. 

The Film and Television Institute of India Students’ Association described the denial of Palestinian films as “censorship by omission” and an effort to let geopolitical alignments dictate what Indian audiences are permitted to see. 

Kerala Government Defies Centre, Moves to Screen Films

In response, the Kerala state government, which organizes IFFK through the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, announced it would screen all 19 films despite the Centre’s directive, calling the central action a “narrow-minded intrusion into the state’s cultural sphere.” 

Culture Minister Saji Cherian said that IFFK has long been a platform for diverse global cinema and that the state would ensure audiences see the films as planned. 

Political and Industry Backlash

The decision has drawn bipartisan criticism. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the block on films — including a renowned classic like Battleship Potemkin — as evidence of “bureaucratic shortsightedness” that could tarnish India’s reputation in the international film community. 

Filmmakers and festival insiders have also raised concerns that the situation sets a troubling precedent for artistic freedom and cultural engagement in India. 

Partial Clearances and Ongoing Standoff

In recent days, the Ministry has granted censor exemptions to a few of the previously denied titles, but several Palestinian-themed films remain in bureaucratic limbo. Festival organizers and state officials continue to negotiate with central authorities as the week-long event unfolds.