2 more films omitted from competition section of IFFK

Two more films chosen for the prestigious competition section of the 16th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) have been omitted on technical grounds, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Chairman and Festival Director Priyadarshan said today.

Aadaminte Makan Abu, the Malayalam film directed by Salim Ahamed and an Oscar entry for best foreign film and "Palawan Fate' by Philippines director Auraeus Solito was being omitted as they had participated in competition at the IFFI at Goa, he told reporters here.

Aadaminte Makan Abu had also won the Rajatha Mayooram" award at the IFFI.

As per the IFFK festival by-law, no film which had participated in another film festival in India was not eligible for selection for competition section.

Aadaminte Makan Abu and "Palawan Fate" was being omitted from the competition section purely on technical grounds. The renowned Malayalam film would be shown in the "Malayalam Cinema Now' section with the permission of its producer and the director, Priyadarshan said.

"Palawan Fate" would be screened as part of the World Cinema section, he said.

With the omission of Aadaminte Makan Abu the competition section with films comprising from Asia, Latin America and Africa, is devoid of any Malayalam film.

Earlier, the film "Aadimadhyantham" (where the end begins and neginning ends) directed by debutant director Sherrey was omitted from the competition category on the ground that it was submitted before the Jury in an incomplete format before completion of shooting.

The prestigious "golden pheasant" award for best film carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh. Now the competition would be among 11 films as against the scheduled 14, Academy sources said.