The 76th International Film Festival of Malappuram began at Anand Cine Palace here on Friday evening. Inaugurating the festival, filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan said cinema would be the recreation of many lives and that experience would bring in culture and civility to people.
Festival director Manambur Rajanbabu presided. P. Ubaidulla, MLA, felicitated Mr. Gopalakrishnan on behalf of Malappuram district. Malappuram municipal chairperson C.H. Jameela honoured the filmmaker on behalf of the people of Malappuram. Filmmaker Sanju Surendran released the festival signature film. Film critic A. Meerasahib released the festival souvenir. Mr. Gopalakrishnan released a book, Kazhchayude Prathimughangal , penned by S. Sanjay and S. Gopu.
Municipal councillors Haris Amiyan and K.V. Vatsalakumari, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) secretary Binosh Kunhappan, Noushad Mannisseri, Paloli Kunhimohammed, Paloli Abdurahman, G.K. Rammohan, and Anil K. Karupan spoke.
Malayalam cinema Aedan: Garden of Desire was the inaugural film. Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Naalu Pennungal , Russian film Loveless , Romanian film Ana, Mon Amour , Pablo Larrain’s Neruda , and French film BPM (Beats Per Minute) will be screened on Saturday.
Actor Nilambur Aysha will inaugurate an open forum on women and cinema on Saturday afternoon. Chelavoor Venu will inaugurate the valedictory function on Sunday evening.
Rasmi Film Society is organising the three-day festival in association with the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, the Film Society Federation of India, the Department of Information and Public Relations, the District Tourism Promotion Council, and Malappuram Municipality.
