Arturo Ripstein to chair IFFK jury

Thiruvananthapuram: Critically acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein, considered as one of the greatest directors in Europe, will chair the jury of the 18th International Film Festival of Kerala (IIFK), which will begin here on December 6. Known for the filmy adaptations of celebrated literary works including that of Gabriel Garc?a Marquez, Ripstein has a number of notable movies in his credit including ‘The Castle of Purity’, ‘The Holy Office’ and ‘Woman of the Port’. One of his movies, ‘No One Writes to the Colonel’, will be screened as part of the eight-day event, sources at Kerala Film Academy, the organiser of the annual movie gala said here. The other members of the jury panel will be Thai director Aditya Assarat, South African filmmaker Khalo Matabane, noted festival director Peter Scarlet and famed south Indian actor Gauthami, they said. The panel will select the winner of ‘Suvarna Chakoram’ and other awards in various categories. "The preparations have been completed almost. We have got an eminent panel of jury members this year also. The registration process has been completed and the distribution of passes has been going on," Artistic Director of IFFK Beena Paul Venugopal said. Around 8,000 delegates are expected for the festival this year, she said. As many as 209 films from 56 countries are scheduled to be screened in 16 different categories in the event.