Thiruvananthapuram | The 26th International Film Festival kicks off today in Ananthapuri. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the fair on Friday at 6.30 pm. Culture Minister Saji Cherian will preside over the function at the Nishagandhi Theater.
The Chief Minister will honor the Kurdish director Lisa Challan, who lost both her legs in the bombing by IS militants in Turkey, with the Spirit of Cinema award. Director and Bollywood newcomer Anurag Kashyap will be the chief guest. Public Education and Labor Minister V Sivankutty and Transport Minister Antony Raju will release the festival book.
Food and Public Distribution Minister GR Anil will hand over the festival bulletin to Mayor Arya Rajendran. The festival edition of the film review will be released by Advocate VK Prashanth MLA and KSFDC Chairman Shaji N Karun.
The inaugural film is ‘Rahana’, a joint venture between Bangladesh, Singapore and Qatar. Ahead of the inauguration ceremony, Gayatri Ashokan will sing songs in tribute to the late playback singer Lata Mangeshkar. Accordionist Suraj Sathe will accompany the concert.
