The 28th International Film Festival of India was held from 10 to 20 January 1997 in Thiruvananthapuram as a non competitive event.

The Festival was inaugurated at the Kanakakkunnu Palace by Kerala Chief Minister E. K. Nayanar. American biopic Michael Collins was chosen as the opening film. Deceased Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni was paid a tribute in the screening of his last film Three Lives and Only One Death. Mike Leigh drama Secrets & Lies closed the festival.

28th International Film Festival of India

Official selections

Opening film

Michael Collins

Closing film

Secrets & Lies

Indian Panorama

The Directorate of Film Festivals invited criticism after its rejection of Hindi films Daayraa and Maachis, and Bengali film, Yugant to be screened in the Indian Panorama section. Among others, the following films were subsequently screened:

28th International Film Festival of India

References

1997 film festivals

International Film Festival of India

1997 in Indian cinema

28th International Film Festival of India