Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, Thiruvananthapuram

In a groundbreaking move, the Government of Kerala established the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (Motion Picture Academy of Kerala) in August 1998. As the first institution of its kind in the country, the Academy aims to counteract the commercialization of film and recognize cinema's significant role in cultural enrichment. It operates under the belief that cinema should foster the holistic development of individuals, both personally and socially.

Today, the Academy is a pivotal force in Kerala's cultural sphere, engaging students, educators, and the general public through initiatives that highlight cinema as more than just entertainment. It emphasizes the medium’s potential for serious academic inquiry and its role in preserving and documenting societal history.

The Academy’s core objectives include serving as a liaison between the government and the film industry, organizing film festivals across the state, preserving and promoting Malayalam cinema, advancing film education, documenting the history of Malayalam cinema, and honoring individuals and films that enhance the aesthetics of Malayalam cinema.