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Naseeruddin Shah, jury member of the 12th International Film Festival of Kerala was all praise for the fete. He said: The delegates’ love of good cinema is remarkable. But then where else could you expect this but in Kerala? It’s heartening to see full houses for all the screenings. For instance, the inaugural film ‘Buddha Collapsed In Shame’ was by a debutante filmmaker but the audience turnout was tremendous. I doubt we’d see that kind of response in Mumbai even if the film was screened free of cost. Moreover, the delegates patiently wait for the film to develop, even when it is a slow film.

Jafar Panahi, chairman of the jury for IFFK, appreciated the delegates who make the festival a celebration. “People’s response to the festival has been warm and good. Even if they don’t like a film, delegates won’t leave theatres in the middle of a screening. I really appreciate that, and it shows the etiquette of the viewers. Of course it’s not a Grade A festival like those Cannes or Berlin: but the IFFK is well-organised despite financial limitations. It leaves you with a positive impression,” he said. His film ‘Circle’ was one of the films that drew a large audience though it had been screened in Kerala before.

The Bollywood star created a stir among press photographers and mediapersons when he reached the media centre on the premises of Kairali and Sree Theatres. It was Anil Kapoor, the producer, who was in town with his film, ‘Gandhi My Father.’ “IFFK is considered the most prestigious film festival in India. The accent is on cinema and not on glamour and glitz. It is an honour for your film to be invited for the festival,” said Mr. India.

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