Filmmaker protests at film fest venue in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: Filmmaker Kunjila Mascillamani staged a protest at the International Women's Film Festival venue at Kozhikode on Saturday over the organizer's decision to not include her film in the festival. According to sources, she came to the venue of the festival 30 minutes before the inauguration and sat on the chair meant for PWD minister P A Mohamed Riyas on the dais.

She also addressed the crowd from the stage. Initially, she raised slogans supporting Vadakara MLA K K Rema, who has been subjected to severe verbal attacks by various CPM leaders. Later on, she protested against the exclusion of her film from the festival. She was taken into custody by the police and was later let off.

Mascillamani, the director of the recently released 'Asanghatithar', which was part of an anthology of films addressing women's issues, had earlier released a screenshot of the WhatsApp message she had sent to Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairman Ranjith seeking clarification on the criteria used for selecting the films in the festival.