Section 9 of the Cinematograph Act empowers the Central Government to grant exemption from the certification requirements, the route by which a festival screens uncertified films

Background

Under Section 9 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 the Central Government is empowered to grant exemption from the certification requirements. Festival organisers apply for that exemption in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. A film that does not get the exemption can still be screened if it carries CBFC certification. The body now using this route, the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, submitted applications seeking exemption in respect of 347 documentary and short films selected for the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Keralam (IDSFFK), a non-commercial festival intended for registered delegates including filmmakers, film society organizers, film technicians, critics, media persons and students. The Academy withdrew one film, leaving 346 for consideration; of those, 315 were permitted to be screened and another 24 received CBFC certification. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas of the Kerala High Court declined interim relief on the remaining seven documentaries, six of which had been referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs and one to the Ministry of External Affairs for inputs on their content.