Some things to watch out for at film festival

There will be a discussion on fragmentation and distribution of films which involves films being distributed to television, internet and Netflix.

The master classes on sound design will be moderated by Ere Gowda.

Emerging technology in the film industry.

There will be a film critic's conclave led by Marc Baschet.

This is the 50th year of the making of 'Samskara', a film written by U R Ananthamurthy. It is based on his novel of the same name and is directed and produced by Pattabhirama Reddy. There will be a special lecture by Tom Cowan, the cinematographer of 'Samskara' under the V K Murthy Memorial Lecture.

The discussion on 'Gender Sensitivity' will witness the screening of two or three films based on women-related themes.

Script mentoring workshop by Claire Dobbins from Australia.

Here is a sneak peek into  the cinematic celebrations  lined up till March 1

P Sheshadri's  film 'Beti' will be  screened during the  film festival under the  category of Kannada film  competition. Sheshadri  says, "The film 'Beti' is an  adaptation of the short
story by award-winning  writer Bolwar. It deals  with issues of 'triple talaq'  and gender discrimination  which is relevant  even to this day."

National award-winning  director T S Nagabharna,  whose film 'Chigurida Kanasu'  will be screened as a homage to  Parvathamma Rajkumar under  the category of 'Homage' and
'Allama' under the Kannada  film competition, is thrilled that  two of his most accomplished works will be shown at BIFFES. He says, "'Chigurida Kanasu'  which has actor Shivarajkumar playing the lead, was one of Parvathamma  Rajkumar's favourite  works."

Girish Kasaravalli, one  of the members on the  committee for selection of  films, says that such film  festivals are necessary to  give people an insight into  the latest strides made in  global cinema. "These are  occasions for the film-goers  to understand what comprises good cinema. Film  festivals also help improve  one's taste for cinema and  gives them an awareness and understanding why  films go on to win awards,"  says Girish.

Actors are excited about the films being picked up

Meghana Raj, lead actor of 'Allama', says, "This is an  opportunity for people who missed the film when it released. More than entertainment,  I would say that the film is  an educative one because it talks about  how one man struggled to preserve the  Kannada language and its culture. I  think every Kannadiga will feel proud  after watching the film."

Priya Anand, lead actor for 'Raajakumara'  which will be screened under  the Kannada film competition category,  says, "Anything after the reception  we got from the Kannada audience is  such a bonus. More than the awards or  anything, hearing people tell you that  they have watched the film over seven  times is the most exciting thing. I am  happy that the buzz and impact of 'Raajakumara' is  never ending. It is like a present that keeps giving."