Kerala's Film Market Boosts Regional Filmmakers' Global Reach

In October 2025, the Kerala State Film Development Corporation is launching the International Film Market of Kerala (IFMK), a professional industry platform that will run from December 13-16 in Thiruvananthapuram. The market aims to connect regional filmmakers, particularly those working in the Malayalam-language cinema of Kerala, with global co-production and financing opportunities.

Kerala's cinema is known for its realistic storytelling and strong literary adaptations, gaining international recognition through acclaimed filmmakers like Adoor Gopalakrishnan and the late Shaji N. Karun. The IFMK represents an evolution of the Kerala Film Market, which launched in 2023 as a knowledge-sharing forum and has since grown into a networking space for pitching projects and forming cross-border collaborations.

The market will feature several key components, including a Project Market for pitching to producers, distributors, and festivals, a Fine Cut Lab offering post-production mentorship from international advisors, and Industry Talks on production trends and technology. The initiative is designed as an integral part of the International Film Festival of Kerala, one of the country's most respected film festivals.

"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," said Premkumar, actor and chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, which is partnering on the initiative.