Festival
World cinema in Chittur, every year since 2008.
The Panchajanyam Film Society was started in 2005 in order to promote good films and a film culture in Chittur and neighbouring areas. The society began by screening one-off films and expanded its activities by launching the Panchajanyam International Film Festival in 2008. PIFF is now an annual event and is held in January.
Panchajanyam has always chosen socially relevant themes for its festival. Alongside feature films from around the world, each edition has documentaries, short films, children’s films and open forum discussions every afternoon, and a short film competition for new filmmakers.
Getting here
Kairali-Sree Theatres is at Anikode Junction in Chittur, 15 km from Palakkad town by the Palakkad–Chittur Road.
- By bus
- Buses to Chittur leave Palakkad from the KSRTC bus station and the Stadium bus stand , and run along the Palakkad–Chittur Road, about 15 km. Ask for Anikode Junction; the theatre is at the junction.
- By train
- The main station is Palakkad Junction , at Olavakkode, about 20 km away by road. Palakkad Town station is 16 km away. From either, take a taxi or an autorickshaw, or a bus from the bus stands in Palakkad. The nearest station is Pudunagaram , on the Palakkad–Pollachi line, 7 km away; it is a small station, so check whether your train stops there.
- By air
- Coimbatore International Airport is 65 to 70 km away by road, depending on the route, and Cochin International Airport is about 115 km away.
Past festivals
- 16
30 January – 5 February 2026
Music: Resilience & Revolt
Kairali and Sree theatres. Opened by Parai Velu Asan. Opening film Dalit Subbaiah.
- 15
17–23 January 2025
Women in Workplace
Kairali and Sree theatres. 90 films; opening film All We Imagine as Light.
- 14
2–8 February 2024
Rediscovering India
Kairali and Sree theatres. Opened by P. Sainath.
- 13
17–23 June 2022
The Spirit of Collective Resistance
Kairali and Sree theatres. Opened by M.Y. Tarigami. Planned for 2021 and postponed because of the pandemic.
- 12
24–30 January 2020
When Citizenship is Redefined
Kairali and Sree theatres.
- 11
25–31 January 2019
Belief, Freedom: Conflicts & Parallels
Kairali and Sree theatres. Opened by Anand Patwardhan. Opening film Unmadiyude Maranam, its India premiere.
- 10
20–26 January 2017
Nationalism: Criticism, Analysis
Chitranjali Theatre. Opened by Dr. K. Gopalankutty. Opening film Ka Bodyscapes.
- 9
22–28 January 2016
Culture · Existence · Invasion
Chitranjali Theatre.
- 8
23–29 January 2015
Subaltern Expressions
Chitranjali Theatre. Opened by Seleena Prakkanam and Dr. Biju.
- 7
7–13 February 2014
Fading Greeneries
Chitranjali Theatre. Opened by Abhay Sahoo.
- 6
22–28 February 2013
A space for disagreements
Chitranjali Theatre. Opened by Lenin Rajendran. Opening film Papilio Buddha.
- 5
20–26 January 2012
Chitranjali Theatre. Opened by Shaji N. Karun. 53 films.
- 4
21–27 January 2011
Chitranjali Theatre. Opened by Charu Nivedita. About 50 screenings; the short film competition begins.
- 3
22–28 January 2010
Chitranjali Theatre. Opened by Girish Kasaravalli. 49 screenings across two venues.
- 2
9–16 January 2009
Chitranjali Theatre. Opened by M.G. Sasi. 27 features, 10 short films and 7 documentaries.
- 1
9–16 January 2008
Chitranjali Theatre. Opened by K.P. Kumaran. 27 features, 7 short films and 7 documentaries.
