The 15th edition of the Bangalore International Film Festival (BIFFes), a prestigious event proudly hosted by the Government of Karnataka, is scheduled to take place in Bangalore. The festival will kick off with an opening ceremony on February 29, 2024, in front of the Methodist Church, while the closing ceremony will be held on March 7 at the Banquet Hall.
This edition of the Bangalore International Film Festival promises several noteworthy features. Recognized by the International Federation of Film Associations (FIAPF), the event will see the participation of national film representatives, producers, artists, directors, technicians, and other esteemed dignitaries. The festival will be inaugurated by the Honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah.
The closing ceremony, set to be held at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha, will witness the Honorable Governor of Karnataka, Thawar Chand Gehlot, presenting awards to the winners of the Asian, Indian, and Kannada film competitions. Starting from March 1, 11 screens across PVR cinema at Orion Mall, Rajkumar Kala Bhavan in Chamaraj Pete, and Suchitra Chitrasamaj in Banashankari will screen films for delegates.
The film festival will showcase over 200 films from more than 50 countries, spanning various categories. Key highlights of the festival include:
- Competition Section: Asian Film Division, Department of Indian Films (Chitrabharati), Department of Kannada Movies.
- Contemporary World Cinema.
- Kannada Popular Entertainment Films.
- Critic’s Week (selected by the International Federation of Film Critics).
- Biography (Biopics).
- Country-Centric Cinema.
- Special Section: Unheard Unthinkable India – Films made in lesser-known sub-languages in the country.
- Review: Mrinal Sen, Film Director.
- Centenary Commemoration and Tribute: Vijayabhaskar (Music Composer), Sabu Dastagir (Mysore-born actor of Hollywood fame), Dore-Bhagavan fame Bhagavan (Director, Producer), Leelavati (Actress), CV Shivashanka Producer, Tributes to the directors, Vani Jayaram (Singer), etc.
- Kannada Cinema 90/Karnataka 50: Selected Films Section.
- Section on Documentaries promoting Human Rights and Values.
Films screened in prestigious international film festivals worldwide will be featured in the Contemporary World Cinema sections. Detailed information about the films can be found at www.biffes.org.
The festival will host a diverse group of invited delegates, including film directors, producers, technicians, journalists, critics, film festival organizers, cinema academics, and officials from foreign embassies and cultural organizations.
Workshops, interactions, and lectures by industry experts are scheduled throughout the festival, covering topics such as the Art of Film Editing, Kannada Cinema 90/Karnataka 50, Screenplay Creation, Dada Saheb Phalke Awardee VK Murthy Memorial Special Lecture, Use of Artificial Intelligence in Cinema, Mrinal Sen Birth Centenary Lecture, Music in Film, Human Rights and Value Proposition in Films, Art/Film Design Workshop, Sound Design Workshop, and Discussion on Women’s Sensibility in Films.
All these programs will take place in a theater at PVR cinema.
Delegate registration for the film festival will commence on February 15 through the Chirotsavam website, allowing interested participants to register and pay the applicable representative fee. The Delegate Pass/Delegate Fee is Rs. 800 for the public and Rs. 400 for members of the film industry, film societies, senior citizens, and students.
