The stage is set for the 16th edtion of BIFFes.
Credit: X/@BIFFESBLR
Bengaluru: The 16th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) will be held from March 1 to 8, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced at a press conference on Monday. A budget of Rs 9 crore has been allotted. The inaugural ceremony will be held on March 1.
“Plurality and inclusivity will be the festival’s theme this year. The organising and the core committees will discuss and announce the festival’s brand ambassador and the celebrities who will inaugurate the festival,” Siddaramaiah said.
Just like the previous year, the artistic director of the 16th edition will be N Vidyashankar.
The Chief Minister will act as the president of the organising committee. The other members of include deputy CM D K Shivakumar, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy president Sadhu Kokila, MLC and senior actor Umashri, the president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce M Narasimhalu, filmmaker Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, actors Dhananjaya K A, Bhavana and Satish Ninasam, film producer K Venkat Narayan, cinéaste and film society activist S Ravi, director Nanjundegowda, Vidya Sagar of Pickle Media, registrar of Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy Himanthraju G, joint director (films) of the Department of Information and Public Relations and other representatives from the department.
Anoop Chandrashekhar, former CEO of Suvarna and Colors TV channels has been appointed as a special advisor, according to a press release.
The upcoming edition will feature 14 sections, three of which will be a competition category — Asian, Indian and Kannada. Other sections include contemporary world cinema, FIPRESCI critics week, bio-pics, Kannada popular cinema, films from little known languages, retrospective, restored classics, centenary tribute, homage and curated section on the festival’s theme.
The festivals will also host seminars, workshops and masterclasses.
“BIFFes aims at enhancing the knowledge and understanding of the film art form, medium, market and exploring historical milestones, features and trends in contemporary filmmaking,” said the press note.
Film city in Mysuru
The chief minister also added that 110 acres of land has been allotted in Mysuru for the construction of the film city that was earlier announced. The project is underway and is being built in a public private partnership module.