India, Sept. 20 -- The Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry has denied screening permission to 31 films selected for the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), officials said on Saturday.

The films include 18 officially selected for the festival, nine in the International Non-Fiction section, and one in the Nepal package, they said.

One Malayalam film is also among the films denied screening permission.

The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy had submitted a list of 347 films to the Centre seeking exemption from certification requirements for screening them at the festival. The applications were accompanied by summaries of the themes of the films.

Following a request from the ministry, detailed ...