17th Bengaluru international film festival kicks off with call for cinema without borders

'Films must address poverty, inequality, and the struggles of farmers, labourers, and women. By watching international cinema, we understand the politics and social structures of other nations, essential for bringing change in our own society', CM said.

Bengaluru: The 17th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) commenced on Thursday with a vibrant opening ceremony that balanced cinematic celebration with a strong plea for artistic freedom.

The festival, themed around the poetic lines of Rashtrakavi G S Shivarudrappa “Sthree andare aste sake?” (Is being called Sthree enough) was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The ceremony was held in the presence of the festival's brand ambassador, the versatile actor Prakash Raj, and popular Kannada actress Rukmini Vasanth.

More than 60 films are directed by women

This year’s festival is set to be a massive undertaking. Sadhu Kokila, Chairman of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, announced that over 250 films from 65 countries will be screened. Notably, more than 60 films are directed by women, aligning with the festival's central theme.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in his inaugural address, emphasised that cinema must go beyond mere entertainment. "Films must address poverty, inequality, and the struggles of farmers, labourers, and women. By watching international cinema, we understand the politics and social structures of other nations, which is essential for bringing change in our own society," he said.

The CM also reiterated the government's commitment to the industry, mentioning the upcoming Film City in Mysuru, the development of a dedicated OTT platform for Kannada content, and a single-window clearance system for film production permissions to ease the burden on producers.

The evening took a provocative turn when multilingual actor and festival ambassador Prakash Raj used the stage to criticise the Central Government’s reported decision to deny clearance for Palestinian films at the festival.

Referring to titles like ‘All That’s Left of You’ and ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’, Raj urged the State Government to take a stand, drawing parallels to the Kerala International Film Festival. "International festivals are for sharing human experiences and building bonds. If we cannot bring stories of others' pain to our soil, how can we call ourselves a civilized society?" Raj questioned. He recited a poem about the human cost of war, asserting that if the films are not allowed to be screened, he would continue to voice the stories of the marginalised from every platform.

The festival screenings will begin on January 30 and continue until February 6 across venues including Lulu Mall, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, and Suchitra Film Society.

A feast for cinephiles

For the first time, the festival is introducing several public-centric features:

*Open-air screenings: A 'Tent Cinema' experience at Lulu Mall every evening at 7 pm.

*Classic restorations: Five iconic films of Dr Rajkumar and works of legends like Puttanna Kanagal and Girish Kasaravalli will be screened in 4K and 2K DCP formats.

*Nostalgia on wheels: The original bike used in the cult classic Sholay is on display for the public.

*Wall of honour: A dedicated space at Lulu Mall to honour legends of Kannada film industry.