20th International Film Festival of Thrissur kicks off, women directors and new talents take the spotlight

The 20th edition of the International Film Festival of Thrissur (IFFT) is set to kick off on Friday (October 24, 2025), celebrating the theme ‘Diversity and Resistance.’ The week-long festival will showcase over 52 films, including 11 directed by women and 26 by debut filmmakers, reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity and creative freedom.

The festival is set to be inaugurated by noted journalist Sashi Kumar at Sree Theatre, Thrissur. Acclaimed filmmakers Biju Damodaran and Priyanandan will be the guests of honour.

Delegate passes are available at the IFFT office in the Kairali Complex, according to organisers.

Screenings will be held across Thrissur at Kairali/Sree and Ravikrishna theatres. Several film societies, including Chithrangana Film Society, Nanma Artist Association, Wadakkanchery Film Society, Darshana Film Society and Perinjanam Film Society, are part of the organising group.

This year’s festival is dedicated to the late filmmaker Shaji N. Karun.

Four major awards will be presented to outstanding debut directors across Asian, Indian, and Malayalam cinema categories — each carrying a cash prize of ₹1 lakh and a sculpture.

Awards include Shaji N. Karun Film Award; Aruna Vasudev Film Award (Asian Section); K. Ravindranathan Nair Film Award (Malayalam Section) and Dorothea Machingal Film Award (Indian Section)

A special Chellavoor Venu Film Award, carrying a cash prize of ₹25,000 and a sculpture, will honour an individual or film society for lifetime contributions to the film society movement.

As part of the festival, an art and photography exhibition curated by artist Joshua will be held at the Kairali/Sree theatre complex.