Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Dec 8: The week-long 12th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), showcasing the best of International and Indian films, has commenced in State capital Thiruvananthapuram.

About 230 films from 54 countries are to be screened at the film festival.

As many as 133 film makers, including those from abroad, are attending the film fest.

The competition section has 14 films, including Naalu Pennungal (Four Women) directed by noted filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan.

The jury is headed by Iranian filmmaker Jafer Fanahi and includes African actor and director Naky Sy Savene, Polish scenarist Agnieska Holland, Indian actor and producer Naseerudeen Shah, and Cuban Film Academy director Rigoberto Lopez.

The best film will get the Golden Pheasant Award with a purse of 10 lakh rupees and the second best film the Silver Pheasant carrying a purse of three lakh rupees.

The special package of Caribbean films, titled Colonial Legacies, dealing with the issues of colonization and slavery will also be screened.

Versatile actor and filmmaker Kamal Hasan inaugurated the event on Friday in the presence of the chief guest, Chilean filmmaker Miguel Littin, state Cultural Affairs Minister M. A. Baby and Malayalam actor Mohanlal.

Hassan said his brush with good cinema came through Malayalam language movies.

"In my early battles in sensible cinema, I could put proudly on my curriculum, all happened in Kerala. It's only later that Tamil Nadu, I was caught up with good cinema. Still a long way to go for Tamil Nadu. I say it was long healthy enmity. This is what we dreamt of, to watch films, to talk to the people, who make and perform in films, " Hassan said.

Twelve celebrities who contributed to the growth of Malayalam cinema were honoured at the function.

The opening film was 'Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame' by Mohsen's Makmalbaf's youngest daughter, Hana Makmalbaf.

The festival will conclude on December 14. (ANI)