The 18th Kerala International Documentary and Short Film Festival (IDSFFK), organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, will be held in Thiruvananthapuram from September 25 to 30, 2026, Tourism, Culture and Cinema Minister P.C. Vishnunadh has announced.The festival was initially scheduled to be held from October 2 to 7. However, considering technical and organisational arrangements, the date of the festival has been rescheduled, said the Minister at a press meet in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday (July 14, 2026).The IDSFFK has the distinction of being the only international film festival in India for documentary and short films organised by a State government. The festival has played a significant role in providing an international platform for innovative filmmaking, socially responsible films and new generation of filmmakers.As many as 1,741 entries have been received for this year’s festival. The process of selecting the documentaries and short films for the competition, non-competition and Malayalam non-competition categories from these entries from various parts of the country and abroad is in progress, said the Minister.Special selection committees have been constituted to select the films. The best works will be selected for the festival through a transparent and international standard selection process, he said.Around 300 films will be screened in the festival in around 30 categories, including documentaries, short films, animation, music video, campus film, homage, international films, festival winners, and jury films in the competition section. The Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given in consideration of comprehensive contributions to documentary filmmaking, will be presented to a prominent personality in the field.The Minister also informed that all preparations are progressing for the six-day festival, including international standard screening facilities, representative services, academic programmes, and guest participation, at the Kairali, Sree, and Nila theatres in Thiruvananthapuram. Published - July 14, 2026 08:40 pm IST