"Censorship has been killing Iranian films and getting a film cleared by the censor board is an uphill task," said Makhmalbaf, who is here to attend the Kochi Film Festival, starting today.
"This situation could lead to talented filmmakers leaving the country," he said.
"Censorship kills cinema. Sometimes a little pressure gives filmmakers more energy to fight it. But strangulate them and they will die," he said, pointing out that many Iranian filmmakers were now unable to make films now.
"There is no dearth of talent in Iran. But it is hard to survive the repressive apparatuses of the administration."
"In Iran, the authorities fix the borderline for artistic expression and freedom through censorship. In Iran you need to go through a tough censorship process. You will have to submit a synopsis of your script before the authorities. Once you complete the script, you will have to again submit it before the censor board for approval," he said.
After a film is completed, further approvals were needed, he said.
Makhmalbaf, who lives in exile in Paris, is the chief guest at the festival along with his filmmaker wife Marziyeh Meshkini.
He said his next project was based on the plight of European refugees.
The festival will hold a retrospective of his films, including 'The Gardener', 'Kandahar', 'Sex and Philosophy' and 'Gabbeh'.
Films being screened today include 'At the Horizon' from Laos, 'Buta' from Azerbaijan and 'Visitors'.
About 100 films will be screened at the festival, to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, which will come to a close on December 21.
