Lack of a Permanent Venue triggers audience grievances


The demand for constructing a permanent venue for IFFK has been raised by many for years. Had the demand been fulfilled it would have saved lakhs of rupees being paid as rent to the private theatres. This year films will be screened in 10 private cinema halls in the capital.

IFFK was relocated from Calicut to Thiruvananthapuram in 1998. Since then it has succeeded in luring audience from all over the world. A permanent venue complex comprising of theatres, cafeteria, rest room and an amphitheatre would have proved handy for the delegates. Travelling from one theatre to the next is a big issue. Free autorickshaw service instituted by the chalachitra academy has alleviated the issue to an extent. Yet waiting for auto rickshaw and rushing to the next venue appears quite tedious and time consuming for the audience.

Earlier editions of IFFK had witnessed instances where the theatre staff misbehaved with the delegates. Many theatres were reluctant to switch on the air conditioning systems. Complaints were even leveled against the murkier state of lavatory premises. A government appointed committee led by Mr Adoor Gopalakrishnan has made the proposal for construction of a permanent venue for IFFK. But the proposal has been lying unnoticed. As the 15th film festival is fast approaching the uproar for a permanent venue is gaining momentum among the public.