IDSFFK 2026: ‘Viraamam’ sheds light on world of film projectionists

Thiruvananthapuram: “Film projectionists are like candles. People rejoice watching movies that we screen, while we slowly melt” – this quote by Vincent Joseph, film projectionist at Radha Theatre, Kozhikode, sums up Viraamam (At Reel’s End), the documentary by editor Malavika VN.

Viraamam was screened in the short documentary competition section at the ongoing 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram.

The documentary zooms into the lives of film projectionists in the State – those who adapted to changing times and others who chose to leave the field due to various circumstances. While some recall enjoying world classics from their projection rooms, one becomes emotional holding the carbon rods of the 35mm projector he once worked on.