18th IFFK Inaugurated; Film World shrinks to Trivandrum for the Next seven Days

 “As Onam for Malayali, so is the International Film Festival of Kerala for the Movie buzzers around the world”-said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in his inaugural speech of the 18^th International Film Festival of Kerala. The ceremony began with mourning over the sad demise of great anti-apartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Chief Minister presented this years’ Life time Achievement Award of IFFK 2013 to the veteran Spanish film maker and photographer Carlos Saura. A citation on Carlos Saura was read by Chalachitra Academy Vice Chairman Gandhimathi Balan reveling the recipient’s career brilliance to the spectators. A book on Carol Saura, published by the KSCA ’Works Of Saura’, by Nelan , was released in the function. Actress Manju warrier received the first copy from Minister of Health V.S Shiva Kumar.

Guest of Honor, Female Actor Shabhana Azmi pampered her memories of her last visit, fifteen years back for the Inauguration of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (KSCA). Festival Catalog was handed over to Azmi by Minister of Tourism, A P Anil Kumar .

A special Cultural event directed by Ranjith commemorating hundred years on Indian Cinema blazed the spirit of the Festival to its heights.

The 85-minute long single sequence inaugural film ‘Ana Arabia ’, by Amos Gitai cheered the spirit of the movie buzzers.

Cultural Secretary of the state Rani Geroge IAS, gave away the welcome.

Minister of Cultural affairs K C Joseph presided over the function while Secretary, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy S. Rajendran Nair proposed the vote of thanks.Chief Secretary of Kerala StateE.K Bharat Bhusan received the daily bulletin from Director Priyadarshan Chairman KSCA.Bina paul Artistic director of the festival introduced the Jury Members.

Amma Secretary, Edavela Babu, Kerala state Film Development Corporation Sabu Cherian, were also present.