Indian State Of Kerala To Host Film Market Alongside Festival
Event to run alongside IFFK will feature a projects market, rough cut lab and video library, among other initiatives.
Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) is launching a film market, International Film Market of Kerala (IFMK), in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, capital of the Indian state of Kerala, scheduled to take place December 13-16.
The new event, which will feature a projects market, rough cut lab and video library, among other initiatives, will run alongside the long-established International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK, December 12-19).
Organised by KSFDC in association with Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, the new market was soft launched in 2023 and 2024 as an industry platform with masterclasses and panels. It was initially conceived by award-winning filmmaker and former KSFDC chairman, the late Shaji N Karun.
The event is now being rebranded and expanded into a global-facing market with the intention of building infrastructure for international co-production, financing and global market access. Leena Khobragade, former director for Film Bazaar in Goa, organised by India’s National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), has been brought on board as a consultant.
Highlights of the inaugural IFMK include:
Project Market – facilitating project pitches to producers, distributors, film festivals and international producers for co-production.
Fine Cut Lab – enabling selected filmmakers to present their films at the post-production stage and get valuable advice on the edit from international mentors.
Industry Talks – panels, in-conversations and masterclasses focused on current and future trends in global film production, policy, distribution and technology.
Video Library – secure digital viewing spaces for films seeking distribution, completion funds or festival exposure.
Stalls & Showcase Zone – exhibition space for film commissions, production service providers and tech innovators.
Current KSFDC chairman K. Madhu said: “The International Film Market of Kerala marks a significant leap forward in our state's cinematic journey. As a filmmaker, I understand how vital professional platforms are for creators to take their stories to the world. IFMK will offer just that – a space where ideas meet opportunity, and where film professionals can engage with the global market on equal footing.”
Premkumar, actor and chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, said: “IFFK has long been celebrated for its artistic excellence and cultural relevance. With the launch of IFMK, we are complementing that legacy by creating an industry arm that focuses on outcomes – on financing, distribution, and professional partnerships. This is a vital step for our ecosystem, and I'm proud to see it take shape here in Kerala.”
