The stage is set for the 10th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes), which will be held between February 22 and March 1. Over 200 films from about 60 countries have been chosen for the festival.
The festival, which is being held only in Bengaluru this time, will be inaugurated on the grand steps of the Vidhana Soudha by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Special invitees and guests include film director from France Marc Baschet, Australian script editor Claire Dobbin, film critic from Russia Kirill Razlogov, film critic from Britian Derek Malcolm, actor Khushboo, filmmaker Rakesh Omprakash Mehra and producer Bharath Bala.
Documentary filmmakers Reena Mohan will curate content based on the theme of the festival — Human Rights and Social Justice — in consultation with cinematographer G.S. Bhaskar and Vinod Raja, also a documentary filmmaker. The festival will honour activist-journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was murdered in September last year, and film director Chalam Bennurkar, who passed away in Bagur, Chitradurga district in May 2017.
Rajendra Singh Babu, president of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, told reporters that for the first time, a national committee was formed to choose films for the festival, as per the suggestion of award-winning filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli.
More than 500 delegates have registered for the event.
Freedom of expression
In the backdrop of the controversy and protests surrounding the film Padmaavat , BIFFes will have a session discussing freedom of expression and what needs to be done to allow filmmakers to make the kind of films they want to.
Rajendra Singh Babu, president of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, said that he had already written to Prasoon Joshi, chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification, inviting him to the festival. “We will bring together filmmakers and thinkers to discuss this important issue,” he said.
The event will see renowned Australian cinematographer Tom Cowan deliver the Late V.K. Murthy Memorial Lecture, a screen writing workshop by international script mentor Claire Dobbin, an interactive session with filmmaker Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, talks by filmmaker Bharath Bala and critic Swapan Mullick, apart from a seminar on gender sensitivity.
Special screening
Special screening of the films chosen for the festival will be held at the state-of-the-art theatre at the Dr. Raj Bhavan, Karnataka Film Artists’ Association. Rajendra Singh Babu, president of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, said the 300-seat theatre will be used to screen films for VIPs and international delegates.
One of the 11 screens at PVR Cinemas, Orion Mall, will be dedicated for members of legislative Assembly and Council. Mr. Babu has written to Assembly Speaker K.B. Koliwad inviting members of both houses to the festival.
Registration
Films will be screened at PVR Cinemas, Orion Mall. To register as a delegate, contact the office of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (BIFFes camp), Vartha Soudha, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce or Suchitra Film Society, or register online (www.biffes.in).
The fee for the general public is ₹600. For students, film society members, senior citizens and KFCC film fraternity, the fee is ₹300.
Gist of the fest
* Over 200 films, including 12 Kannada, from 60 countries to be screened
* Regular screenings at PVR Cinemas, Orion Mall from February 23
* Homage to be paid to Parvathamma Rajkumar, R.N. Sudarshan, Kashinath, K. Chandrashekar, Krishnakumari, B.V. Radha and Shashi Kapoor
