Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, the first academy for film and television in India, is situated at
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of
Kerala. It is an autonomous institution founded in August 1998, under the chairmanship of Shaji N Karun, a renowned film director.
The Academy, set up for the promotion of good quality cinema, organizes the yearly International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) and conducts screenings and discussion forums of Indian and world cinema. The activities of the Academy also include publication of books and periodicals, and the conduct of film appreciation courses, seminars and workshops for students as well as professionals.
The Cinema Museum, first of its kind in India, was opened on the Academy premises in 2002. The museum offers a view of the evolution of Indian cinema and exhibits cinema-related artifacts, posters, rare photos, costumes and gramophones. The Academy Library has an extensive collection of books and video cassettes of classic films.
