India, Sept. 21 -- Thirty-one films to be screened at a five-day international film festival in Thiruvananthapuram beginning Friday are awaiting "further verification" from the home, defence and external affairs ministries because of their subject matter, a Union information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry official said on Monday, clarifying they have not been denied clearance.

The clarification came a day after Kerala culture minister PC Vishnunadh said the I&B ministry has not stated reasons for denying screening permission to 31 films at the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK).

Films at such festivals do not require a censor certificate. They need the I&B ministry's screening permission, as they ...