The Samikhsya Correspondent
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The much awaited silver jubilee edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will kick off on February 10.
Online registration for delegates commenced on Saturday.
Hosted by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, the festival will be held in four cities this year.
It will begin in Thiruvananthapuram on February 10 and end on February 14 followed by Kochi (February 17 to 21), Thalassery (February 23 to 27) and Palakkad (March 1 to 5).
Registration fee for the delegates in general category is Rs 750 while the student-delegated have to pay Rs 400.
Delegates are required to register at the venue closest to their place of living, the festival officials have informed.
IFFK Lifetime Achievement Award of the year will be presented to renowned French-Swiss filmmaker and critic Jean-Luc Godard who is known as a pioneer of the French New Wave cinema movement.
The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.
The Academy has decided to issue a maximum number of 8,000 passes this year. While Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi will have 2,500 each, Thalassery and Palakkad will have 1,500 each.
Each venue will screen films in six theatres for five days each. Half of the seats will be occupied during a screening to maintain safety in view of the prevailing Covid situation.
Passes will be distributed two days before the festival begins. Only those who test negative for the coronavirus will be issued the passes.
The Academy has announced to have antigen testing facilities for intending delegates.
IFFK will showcase 80 films this year that covers the categories of international competition, Malayalam cinema today, Indian cinema, world cinema, homage and retrospective.
