The proposed permanent venue of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will be located within the city, State Chalachitra Academy Chairman Kamal has said.
Dismissing reports of the Chalachithra Academy zeroing in on a location away from the city in Akkulam, he said that neither the government nor the academy has taken such a decision.
He was addressing his first press conference here on Monday after taking charge as the Chairman of the academy.
“The IFFK is very much part of the capital city’s culture. It is known widely for popular participation and is accessible to common people. We have to keep these things in mind when we make any plan. We have identified three acres of land near the Kowdiar Palace. The land is currently under the Revenue Department and we have to take steps to transfer the land for the work to begin,” he said.
Revenue model
The festival complex will serve as a normal multiplex theatre except during the one week of IFFK.
This will be a revenue generation model, which could in future fund the running of the entire festival, he said.
“It could be turned into a complex for cultural activities. The Chalachitra Academy can have its permanent office there. There will be separate screens for award screenings and other facilities like conference hall. We need to see whether we can have a food court and other facilities available in a mall. This decision has to be taken by the government,” said Mr. Kamal.
There will be more focus on the marketing segment of the film festival from this year.
Unfulfilled promise
He admitted that the marketing segment in the previous years failed to fulfill its purpose.
The Chalachitra Academy is also planning to take cinema to the rural areas.
The ‘Touring Talkies’ programme will be revived.
Screenings
“The main question that has to be addressed is whom are we showing these films to. Usually, such screenings are limited to a few people. We have to ensure that these films reach even those who are not considered ‘cinema-literate.’ Screenings can be done in villages after giving an introduction on the kind of cinema they are about to watch. We can involve grassroots organisations such as Kudumbasree in this,” he said.
On lease
Two acres of land has been taken on lease at the KINFRA park to set up film archives.
A project of Rs.10 crore has also been submitted to the government for this purpose.
On the past allegations of corruption and questionable appointments in the academy, he said that action will be taken if required.
The festival complex will serve as a normal multiplex theatre except during the one week of IFFK.
