Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has announced the establishment of a Film City in Kochi, one of the key proposals unveiled in the 2026-27 State Budget presented by Chief Minister and Finance Minister V. D. Satheesan. The project is aimed at transforming Kochi into a major film production and media hub in South India while strengthening Kerala’s rapidly growing entertainment industry.
The proposed Film City is expected to provide integrated facilities for film production, post-production, animation, visual effects (VFX), gaming and digital media. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of creating a world-class media ecosystem that can attract projects from across India and abroad.
Kochi has already emerged as the operational centre of the Malayalam film industry, hosting numerous production houses, studios, dubbing facilities, editing suites and film-related businesses. Industry experts have long argued that Kerala needs a large-scale integrated film production complex to reduce dependence on facilities in other states, particularly Hyderabad’s film infrastructure.
The Film City project is expected to include modern shooting floors, outdoor sets, post-production facilities, animation and VFX centres, training institutes and spaces for creative startups. The government believes the initiative will create new employment opportunities for filmmakers, technicians, artists and media professionals while attracting investment into the state’s creative economy.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the proposal, noting that Malayalam cinema has gained international recognition in recent years but still lacks the large-scale infrastructure available in other major film-producing states. A dedicated Film City could help position Kerala as a destination for domestic and international film productions.
The announcement is part of the UDF government’s larger development strategy, which also includes the Kerala Knowledge Valley project, a Global Gold Hub centered around Kochi, Aluva and Perumbavoor, and initiatives to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and investment-led growth.
With Kochi already functioning as the heart of Kerala’s entertainment sector, the proposed Film City is expected to further strengthen the city’s status as a leading centre for cinema, digital content creation and media technology in India. Detailed project guidelines, location plans and investment models are expected to be announced in the coming months.
