# 31st Kerala film festival announces competition lineup

> The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy reveals films for the International Film Festival of Kerala, including a new section to boost Malayalam cinema globally.
- Title: 31st Kerala film festival announces competition lineup
- Summary: The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy reveals films for the International Film Festival of Kerala, including a new section to boost Malayalam cinema globally.
- Keywords: 31st international film festival of kera, kerala state chalachitra academy, international competition, malayalam cinema, critics discovery section, indian films, malayalam cinema today, indian cinema now, The Hindu
- Source: The Hindu — https://thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/31st-iffk-international-competition-and-indian-film-selections-announced-new-critics-discovery-section-introduced/article71698778.ece
- Author: The Hindu Bureau
- Published: 2026-11-13T15:24:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: 31st international film festival of kera, kerala state chalachitra academy, international competition, malayalam cinema, critics discovery section, indian films, malayalam cinema today, indian cinema now, news, politics
## Kerala festival announces competition films
The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy announced the International Competition section for the 31st International Film Festival of Kerala, to be held in December this year.
## Ten international films selected
The competition includes Embers from China, Gugu's World from Brazil, I am Mario from Mexico, Silenced Nights from the Philippines, Slumber from Iran, Ouroboros from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, People's Child from Iran, Sweet Violence from…
## Four Indian films in competition
The Indian films selected are Padayaatra directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Chevittorma directed by Leo Thaddeus, Selvi directed by Sailesh Rethnakumar and Members of the Problematic Family directed by Ramalingam Gowtham.
## Malayalam Cinema Today section announced
The academy announced twelve films in the Malayalam Cinema Today section, including A Duck Tale, Ottanjaavalmaram, Domestic Circus, Metro Paramo, Eko, Leftover, Moscow, Not a Cinema, Ekadesham, Rivo Rukaiah, Kallalan and Trace of Wind.
## Indian Cinema Now selections revealed
Seven films were selected for the Indian Cinema Now section: Hunter's Moon, Master Bantoo, Urmi, An Evening Ballad, The Ink Stained Hand and the Missing Thumb, Rehmat and Whispers of the Shadow.
## New Critics Discovery section launched
The academy introduced a Critics Discovery section to introduce notable and artistically distinctive films in Malayalam to prominent figures and critics in the international film industry and provide them with more international audience attention and…

> to introduce notable and artistically distinctive films in Malayalam to prominent figures and critics in the international film industry and to provide them with more international audience attention and representation at film festivals
## Five Malayalam films in Critics Discovery
The Critics Discovery section includes Vasara directed by Lekshmi Pushpa, Sudeeptham directed by Deepesh T., Ezhu Niramulla Swapnam directed by Priyanandanan T.R., Tharkam directed by Sajin Baabu and Nebula directed by Mithun Narayan.
## Key takeaway

The 31st International Film Festival of Kerala announced its competition films and introduced a Critics Discovery section to increase international attention for Malayalam cinema.