Film festivals are witnessing a steady rise in interest among youngsters, with the Regional International Film Festival of Kerala (RIFFK) emerging as a strong example. At this year’s edition, the notable presence of student cinephiles reflected a growing enthusiasm for art films and festival culture. Naveena Vijayan, regional coordinator of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, credits the inclusion of cinema in academic syllabi as a key factor behind this shift. She also points to Touring Talkies, an outreach initiative by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (KSCA), as instrumental in sparking curiosity among young audiences.While the number of student delegates is still comparatively small, Ms. Vijayan says the turnout is promising. Among them was a group of PhD scholars from Calicut University, including Keerti, who has been attending film festivals since 2019. “It’s a must-experience,” she says, adding that the atmosphere, the crowd, and the chance to connect with like-minded film lovers keep her coming back year after year.Filmmaker Sharan Venugopal in conversation with fans Srilakshmi S. and Rithudev M. on the sidelines of the RIFFK in Kozhikode on August 8. | Photo Credit: K. RageshFor Harishankar M.P., the unique access to films that are otherwise unavailable is one of the festival’s biggest draws. “It was curiosity that brought me to my first IFFK as a student,” he recalls. “Once I realised how valuable it was, I kept returning.”Godwin Francis finds RIFFK “more coordinated” than its Thiruvananthapuram counterpart, praising its technical execution. He notes that attendees generally fall into two categories: the committed film enthusiasts and those drawn in for social media content.Filmmaker Sharan Venugopal observes that young people in Kerala are increasingly drawn to cinema, thanks in part to the openness and diversity of the Malayalam film industry. The presence of cinema in the curriculum plays a role, he adds, but so does the festival’s social appeal. “Spots like these have become Instagrammable, and that makes youngsters flock to the venue,” he says.Published - August 08, 2025 11:22 pm IST