This announcement follows opposition from various organisations, including the CPI(M), May 17 Movement, Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association, and the Students' Federation of India (SFI).
Published May 27, 2025 | 1:18 PM ⚊ Updated May 27, 2025 | 1:18 PM
Movie screening. Representative image. (iStock)
Synopsis. The ICAF has announced the postponement of the Israeli Film Festival, which was scheduled to take place in Chennai from 29 May. The event faced stiff resistance from several progressive organisations.
The Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation (ICAF) postponed the Israeli Film Festival, which was scheduled to take place from 29 May to 31 May at the Tamil Nadu Government Music College campus in Chennai, sources said on Tuesday, 27 May.
This announcement follows opposition from various organisations, including the CPI(M), May 17 Movement, Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association, and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI).
Amid the backlash, the Israeli film festival has now been postponed indefinitely. Thangaraj Emanadar, Director – Administration of ICAF and Festival Director Emeritus of the Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF), confirmed the development to South First.
The Israeli Film Festival was originally planned to be held at the Tagore Theatre within the Tamil Nadu Government Music College in Chennai.
The event faced stiff resistance from several progressive organisations. The May 17 Movement had also announced a protest on Wednesday opposing the festival.
The Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association issued a statement condemning the event.
In its statement, the association said, “We urge that this film festival should not be held. ICAF must not equate Israel with other nations by including it in the same lineup as film festivals supported by the Tamil Nadu government, such as the Chennai International Film Festival, which features works from various countries.”
“At a time when the world is condemning Israel’s brutal actions against Palestinians and its occupation of Palestinian land, organising an Israeli film festival in a politically conscious state like Tamil Nadu is deeply insensitive,” it added.
The statement further added, “Supporting the Israeli state, which should be internationally isolated for its war crimes, and attempting to normalise it like any other country is an endorsement of its deceitful policies. Therefore, ICAF must voluntarily announce the cancellation of the Israeli film festival. If not, the Tamil Nadu government must intervene and prevent it from taking place.”
Speaking to South First, Emanadar said, “We have postponed the Israeli film festival scheduled at the Tagore Theatre, Tamil Nadu Government Music College, without announcing new dates.”
When asked about the reason for the postponement, he said that the management of Tagore Theatre had informed ICAF that the venue was unavailable on the scheduled dates, following directions from the college principal.
When asked whether this decision was a result of political or public pressure, he responded, “Yes, we were told the decision was taken due to protests by student organisations. Unfortunately, the event was needlessly politicised.”
He went on to explain that ICAF has been working for 23 years with the sole aim of introducing international cinema to Tamil audiences without expecting anything in return.
“We’ve previously received financial support from former chief ministers — ₹25 lakh from Kalaignar Karunanidhi, ₹50 lakh from J Jayalalithaa, and more recently, ₹85 lakh from the current CM, MK Stalin. With this support, we’ve consistently organised international film festivals in the state,” he said.
“Every month, we coordinate with different embassies to showcase films from their respective countries. Screening Israeli films was simply part of this ongoing effort. Similar screenings have taken place before as well. But this time, the situation has been politicised,” he said.
When asked whether the Israeli film festival might be held at a later date, he said, “If the situation permits, we will definitely conduct it in the future.”
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
