The 31st International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) plans to keep films running through the night for the first time. The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy has scheduled the festival for December 11 to 18, 2026, in Thiruvananthapuram, as stated in its official notice of October 9 on iffk.in.
Academy chairperson Raveendran outlined the plan to The New Indian Express. He said delegates come to IFFK to experience cinema, not just to watch films, and the Academy wants them to be able to watch at any hour of the day or night. Nothing below is final yet, and the schedule and venue list are still to be announced.
What changes for delegates
- Day and night on six days: the Academy plans round-the-clock screenings on the six middle days of the festival. The opening and closing days keep regular hours.
- Tagore Theatre as the hub: the main IFFK venue is set to become a 24x7 festival hub, where delegates can walk in, watch a film and leave at any hour.
- 7 AM shows: early screenings are aimed at senior citizens and office-goers. Raveendran described it as a cinema with a morning walk idea.
- Late-night shows: these are pitched at younger viewers, especially Gen Z cinephiles who prefer watching at night.
- More slots: the Academy plans to add about two extra show slots a day across venues.
Why only one venue runs all night
Raveendran told TNIE that the Academy cannot manage several venues late into the night because of police permission and security concerns. That is why one central venue will stay open and lit 24x7. The Academy is also checking whether Nishagandhi and other select venues can host full-night screenings instead of just two evening shows.
The stated goal is to cut the long queues and crowding at daytime shows. More slots and larger auditoriums should give more delegates a chance to see the most popular films.
IFFK 2026 at a glance
Edition: 31st IFFK
Dates: December 11 to 18, 2026
City: Thiruvananthapuram
Main hub: Tagore Theatre, planned as the 24x7 venue
New slots: 7 AM shows, late-night shows and about two extra slots a day (planned)
Pending approvals: All-night shows at Nishagandhi and other venues are still being checked; the final schedule is not out
Where the films will play
The festival's official venue list currently names Tagore Theatre, Nishagandhi, Kalabhavan, Kairali Sree Nila, New Theatre, Aries Plex SL Cinemas, Ajanta, Sree Padmanabha, PVR Kripa and Hotel Horizon. The list may change before December.
What to watch for next
The Academy has not yet opened delegate registration for 2026 or released the screening schedule. Those announcements will show exactly which slots run overnight and whether more venues join Tagore Theatre. Entries for the competition sections closed on September 10.
For more festival news, read about Jude Anthany Joseph at the MACTA-Rajagiri film festival, Malavazhi's win in Pune and the Citylight TV-IRMU short film awards.
