Bengaluru: The 17th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES) concluded on Friday night at Lulu Mall, wrapping up a vibrant celebration of cinema that brought together filmmakers, artistes and audiences from across India and abroad.
The Japanese film Lost Land, the Marathi film Sabar Bonda, and the Kannada film Vanya won the Best Film awards in the Asian, Indian and Kannada categories, respectively, underscoring the festival’s commitment to diverse cinematic voices.
Renowned lyricist and music director Hamsalekha was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the closing ceremony.
Receiving the award, Hamsalekha reflected on the boundless nature of creativity.
“There is no end to art; art is only a beginning. Creativity never stops,” he said, describing cinema as a collective effort akin to farming, requiring many hands.
Thanking the government for its continued support, he said the honour brought him immense joy and praised Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar as “a special DCM, as he is the hardest-working and busiest DCM.”
He emphasised that artistes owe much to Karnataka and the Kannada language, which sustains them.
Calling art “food for the soul,” he said he had drawn strength from it for six decades.
He added that cinema must help safeguard democracy, especially in the land of Basavanna (12th-century saint-social reformer), who sowed the seeds of democratic thought.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao attended the programme as the chief guest.
Rao said film festivals allow audiences to experience stories from different languages and cultures, elevating art to a higher plane.
Echoing Hamsalekha's views, he said art carries the responsibility of protecting democracy.
“All kinds of films should be made — commercial as well as artistic,” he said, stressing freedom of expression and the right to question. Filmmakers, he added, must create with courage and responsibility.
Actor and the film festival's brand ambassador Prakash Raj observed that languages may differ, but emotions remain universal.
He described cinema as a language in human evolution that documents culture, pain and struggle.
Reiterating a view he had expressed at the film festival’s opening ceremony, he said every language may be different, but at the heart of each lie human hopes, dreams and ambitions. These, he said, are translated through the language of cinema for everyone to understand.
He noted that an international film festival serves as a platform for people from across the world to share their stories and perspectives. In such a space, he said, there is no right to accept some voices while rejecting others.
Only by speaking up, he added, can the issues of a state or a country be brought to light. That responsibility, he said, often falls on filmmakers, directors, actors and other artistes.
He added that honouring Hamsalekha lent deeper meaning to the festival’s celebrations.
Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy president Sadhu Kokila and artistic director Murali described this year’s line-up as high quality.
A total of 249 films were screened, including 238 feature films and over 30 restored classics, with 44 competing in the Asian, Indian and Kannada sections.
The festival recorded a footfall of one lakh across its three venues — Lulu Mall, Kalavidha Sangha, and Suchitra Film Society.
Sadhu Kokila thanked the government and officials for their support and highlighted new initiatives, including an exhibition tracing 92 years of cinema history, tent cinema screenings, and special screenings of films starring actors Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan.
He added that honouring Hamsalekha was a matter of pride for the film fraternity and noted that over one lakh senior citizens attended the festival.
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President Jayamala, Information and Public Relations Commissioner Hemant M Nimbalkar, Secretary B B Kaveri and Film Academy Registrar Vinod Chandra were among those present on the occasion.
Top honours
Asian Cinema Competition
First Best Film: Lost Land (Japan), director Akio Fujimoto
Second Best Film: Shape of Momo (Nepal), director Tribeny Rai
Third Best Film: The Deepest Space in Us (Japan), director Yasutomo Chikuma
Special Jury Mention: Republic of Pipolipinas (Philippines), director Renei Dimla
Indian Cinema Competition
First Best Film: Sabar Bonda (Marathi), director Rohan Parashuram Kanawade
Second Best Film: Moham (Malayalam), director Fazil Razak
Third Best Film: Kaadu (Malayalam), director Suneesh Vadakumbadan
FIPRESCI Award: Gondhal (Marathi), director Santosh Davakhar
Jury Special Appreciation: Sarkeet (Malayalam), director Thamar Mon Karuvanta Valappil
Kannada Cinema Competition
First Best Film: Vanya, director Badiger Devendra
Second Best Film: Nam Saali, director Aneelkumar
Third Best Film: Ravana Rajyadalli Navadampathigalu, director Ranga
NETPAC Jury Award: Hakkighagi, director Garghee Karehaiklu
Jury Special Appreciation: Mrigatrishna, director Ajay Gurunatha
Jury Special Appreciation: 4 by 4, directors Trupti Kulkarni, Chitra Parameswaran, Meghana Jagannath, Poojitha Prasad