VIBGYOR International Film Festival: Presenting the colors of reel life

Unlike its more glamorous avatars, this is a film festival with solid substance. Rooted in its belief that life must be a celebration of perseverance and the enduring human spirit, the VIBGYOR International Film Festival (VIFF) promises to be a no-nonsense affair welcoming creative and skilled filmmakers to speak their mind and portray their perceptions of pressing social issues. Held every year at the Sangeet Natak Akademi in Thrissur (Trichur), Kerala’s cultural capital, the festival offers a spectrum of themes and emotions under categories such as Gender and Sexuality, Human Rights, Nation State, and Culture and Media.

 

What to expect?

Under the leadership of its Festival Director, yesteryears actress Kavita Joshi, the festival has a central theme, usually an issue of national or international relevance, which is reflected in film screenings, discussions, exhibitions and recitals held during this time. This year’s festival, scheduled from February 7-12, will focus on the theme of ‘Stolen Democracies’, centering on questions of identities and diversity. This is not just any festival that screens a variety of films. Instead, it encourages participants to engage in debates, discussions and lectures providing a platform for views and opinions that matter. Besides the flurry of activities  during the actual festival, there are a number of unique and creative events organised to mark the run up to the fest. These include touring festivals through which relevant films on social issues from previous festivals are screened in various parts of Kerala. Campus VIBGYOR and Village VIBGYOR organise film screenings in association with film societies in schools as well as village panchayats. It goes beyond screening of films during the festival and actually makes the effort to take these important messages to ordinary men and women in other parts of the state.

Who should go?

 It’s a great place for aspiring film enthusiasts because a film workshop for budding and talented filmmakers coincides with the actual festival. This allows participants the opportunity to interact with established names in the industry. The festival also provides fellowships to talented filmmakers.

Exploring Kerala

Through the years, VIBGYOR IFF has become an important and much-awaited cultural event in Kerala and one which has put the state on the world map not just as a surreal holiday destination, but as a hub of culture and traditions. With participants from all across the globe, it is with each passing year, becoming an event to reckon with, drawing the attention of the amateur, talented and seasoned filmmakers and audiences alike.

Having become a runaway success, it is yet another reason for travelers to make a trip to the beautiful state of Kerala, to not just breathe in the serenity of its backwaters, but to also stimulate the senses and the mind with a thought-provoking addition to the itinerary.