The Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, which is organising the fourth edition of the Bangalore International Film Festival (BIFFes), is striving to make the festival starting on Thursday a memorable one for film buffs, students of cinema, technicians from the film industry and the critics.
Every preparation is being made to extend an exclusive cinema experience to over 2,000 people on nine screens. Over 180 films from 40 countries will feature in this festival.
The festival will be inaugurated by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda at the Jnanajyothi Convention Centre, Central College. Iranian filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui, artistes Ananth Nag and Om Puri will attend.
“Lucky” from South Africa, directed by Avie Luthra, which features the theatre personality and Rajya Sabha member B. Jayashree in the lead role, will be the opening film.
B. Jayashree won the Black Pearl Award for best actor at the recent Abu Dhabi International Film Festival.
National award-winning actor Tara has been made the official ambassador of the festival. On Monday, she released “The World in Bangalore”, the signature film of BIFFes.
Talking to presspersons, Secretary, Department of Information, Basavaraj, said that the Government is trying to make BIFFes a global event that will further the cause of cinema and those associated with it.
“We have a very good collection of films (for screening),” said H.N. Narahari Rao, Artistic Director, BIFFes. As the festival was being held simultaneously in Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, it had become difficult to schedule the films. “While some films will be screened thrice, only one screening of a few films will be possible. Though 180 films are being screened in the festival, you can watch only 35 films and you have to make the selection of films carefully,” he said.
Festival director T.S. Nagabharana clarified that admission for both inaugural and valedictory functions are restricted only to invitees.
BMTC service
BIFFes had approached Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation to provide its mini bus service to the screening venues. In all probability mini buses will be pressed into service to cater to movie-goers from one venue to another.
“The mini buses will run every half an hour to all screening venues. The facility will be extended only to pass holders,” said Mr. Nagabharana.
