The highly anticipated International Media Festival of Kerala (IMFK) is set to commence with a grand inauguration by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Tagore Theatre this Tuesday. This four-day event promises to be a vibrant gathering for media professionals and students alike.
Organized by the Kerala Media Academy, the festival’s central theme, ‘Media for truth and peace,’ highlights its commitment to fostering responsible journalism. Over a thousand participants, including journalists and media students from across Kerala and beyond, are expected to attend, making it a truly diverse and impactful assembly.
A significant pre-festival event will take place on Monday: a Palestine solidarity conference. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan will jointly inaugurate this moving event at 5:30 p.m. at the Tagore Theatre, marked by the symbolic release of a kite adorned with the colors of the Palestine flag. The Ambassador of Palestine to India, Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, will grace the occasion as the chief guest.
During Tuesday’s main inaugural ceremony, Mariam Ouedraogo, an esteemed journalist from Burkina Faso, will be honored with the ‘Mediaperson of the Year’ award. Her courageous reporting on sexual violence affecting women and children amidst political upheavals in Burkina Faso has earned her this well-deserved recognition.
Distinguished Indian journalists Karan Thapar, Ravish Kumar, and Rajdeep Sardesai, recipients of the Indian Mediaperson awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively, will also be celebrated by the Chief Minister. Each award includes a prize of ₹1 lakh, a commemorative statuette, and a citation, as confirmed by Kerala Media Academy chairperson R.S. Babu.
The festival boasts an impressive lineup of media personalities, including Sashi Kumar, Rana Ayyub, Tongam Rina, Pushpa Rokde, Pratik Sinha, and Mohammed Zubair, all set to contribute to the enriching discussions.
Attendees can look forward to a dynamic schedule featuring engaging panel discussions, interactive sessions, shared experiences, innovative AI workshops, and competitive quizzes, ensuring a comprehensive and stimulating experience for all.
Adding to the list of accolades, the inaugural V.P. Ramachandran Memorial Award will be presented to Anasudhin Azeez, a journalist from the U.K., recognizing his contributions to the field.
Further enriching the festival will be two captivating multimedia-photo exhibitions. Furthermore, renowned figures Pratik Sinha and Mohammed Zubair will lead an essential session on combating fake news, underscoring the festival’s dedication to media integrity.