While the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has faced its share of issues over the years, matters escalated to another level this time when the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denied censor exemption to as many as 19 films slated for screening. Although the Centre later approved 13 of them, the screenings of six films were ultimately cancelled. The physical absence of Resul Pookutty, chairperson of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (KSCA), which hosts the festival on behalf of the Kerala government’s Department of Cultural Affairs, during the initial days also became a hot topic throughout the week. After facing such uproars, the 30th IFFK concluded in Thiruvananthapuram on a grand note on Friday, December 19. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was absent during the opening event on December 12, inaugurated the closing ceremony at the Nishagandhi Auditorium in the capital city. State Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan presided over the event, which was attended by Resul Pookutty as well. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister tore into the central government for …