9th BENGALURU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (9BIFFES -2017)
Bangalore, November 9, 2016: International Film Festivals are global forums for presenting the films made across the continents, generally other than the big commercial ventures. It is also the platform for revisiting classics, evolution of artistic talents in different countries. Almost all the major cities of the world have an international film festival in their annual calendar of cultural events.
Govt. of India started organizing International Film Festival from 1952 and now Goa has been chosen as its permanent venue.
In Bengaluru, the initiative took off in 2006. The first three editions were organized with the financial support from the Govt. of Karnataka. Since 2009, Government of Karnataka is organizing International Film Festivals through the Department of Information and Public Relations and Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy. The last five editions have been directly organized by them. The 8th edition of the festival held in January – February 2016 was held simultaneously in Bengaluru and Mysuru and was a resounding success.
The main objective was to bring the world cinema to Bengaluru. It was therefore branded as “World in Bengaluru”. Now the scope of the festival has been widened. It is not just “World in Bengaluru” it is also “Bengaluru to the World”. The added objective is to integrate Kannada cinema into the global arena
Programmes and Events
The Official Selection (Competition Sections for Kannada, Indian and Asian Cinema, Presentation of contemporary Cinema of the World) Parallel Sections (Retrospectives, Country Focus, etc) Special Theme Section, Festival in a Festival, Documentaries and Biopics, Academic activities (Master classes, Seminars, Workshops etc) Exhibitions, Networking are the main programmes of the ensuing film festival. This year there will also be a new section to showcase the best films of Popular entertainment as well.
Indian Film Industry in general and Kannada Film Industry in particular, film professionals, general film loving public, film media and intellectuals, writers and artistes of all persuasions are supposed to be the target group of this festival.
Awards
Best Indian Film in Competition, Best Kannada Film in Competition, and Best Asian Film (amongst selection) are the awards’ category. A new category of award for the best amongst the popular entertainment cinema in Kannada is also being introduced from this year.
9th Bengaluru International Film Festival: BIFFES
An organizing Committee has been formed for the effective conduct of BIFFES. Shri. Siddaramaiah, Honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka, is heading this committee in the capacity of Chairman. The Committee which has 13 other members includes The Hon’ble Minister for Public Works and Mysuru District- in charge Minister Dr.H.C. Mahadevappa, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism Sri. Priyanka Kharge, Sri M. Lakshminarayana, Principal Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department and PWD, S.V. Rajendra singh Babu, Chairman, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, Dr. Jayamala, renowned artist and Member, Legislative Council, Sri Muniratna, Hon’ble member of Legislative Assembly and Film Producer, President, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Girish Kasaravalli, Renowned Film Maker, P. Seshadri, Noted Director, Senior Artist Sri Shivraj Kumar, Sri Girish Rao (Jogi), Journalist, the Director, Department of Information and Public Relations and the Registrar, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, as the member Secretary.
9th Edition of BIFFES is scheduled to be held from 02-09 February 2017 at both Bengaluru and Mysuru simultaneously. It is proposed to be held in a single multiplex at the centre of the cities. It is going to be more inclusive with greater participation from the Kannada and Indian Film Industry.
Festival so far
Festival has grown at 35% every year. The quality of Kannada films competition has considerably improved. The festival last year had attracted more than 6,000 delegates. All the Indian filmmakers whose films got selected for the competition attended the festival. Nearly 25 important foreign delegates have graced the festival last year, BIFFES has proved to be one of the important and prestigious International Film festivals in India.
Future Plans
It is intended to create a co-production market to increase in the production of quality Kannada films with International producers. It is also the intention of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy to create a film bazaar for promotion of Kannada cinema overseas. It also intends to garner collaboration with other partners to start experimental and short film sections.