The possibility of Mysuru missing its date with Bengaluru International Film Festival (Biffes) 2018 has not gone down well with film buffs in the city.
A delegation representing Mysore Film Society met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is also the ex-officio chairman of BIFFes, at Madikeri on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum to him to continue Mysuru as one of the venue for Biffes 2018 along with Bengaluru.
Society’s vice-president Muddukrishna and founder member Manu along with littérateur Pa. Mallesh called on Mr. Siddaramaiah at a resort in Madikeri — where he was staying overnight on Tuesday — and appealed to him to ensure that the citizens of Mysuru are not deprived of an opportunity to view national and international films screened at the festival. Biffes 2018 is scheduled to be held from February 22 to March 1. From the last two years, Mysuru has also been screening films as part of the Biffes. But, the organisers were reportedly considering a proposal to restrict screening of films as part of the festival to just Bengaluru this year.
Though the exact reason for giving Mysuru a miss this year is not clear, Mr. Muddukrishna said they would favour screening of the movies as part of the festival in different cities and towns of the State along with Mysuru.
After meeting the Chief Minister, Mr. Muddukrishna said Mr. Siddaramaiah had promised to consider their request and consult the organisers, including Kannada Chalanachitra Academy chairperson S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, besides Minister for Public Works H.C. Mahadevappa, who is also the Mysuru district in-charge Minister.
“We will next follow up the matter with Mr. Mahadevappa,” Mr. Muddukrishna said.
Among the various reasons cited for giving Mysuru a miss during Biffes 2018 is the impending Assembly elections in April-May this year. The calendar of events is likely to be announced and model code of conduct for the elections is expected to be in force. “Questions about the need for screening films as part of a Bengaluru international film festival in Mysuru could be raised,” said a source familiar with the proposal to drop Mysuru as a venue for BIFFes.
Though poor response for the film festival in Mysuru was also cited as a reason in some circles, Mr. Muddukrishna clarified that the number of delegates went up from 180 two years ago to 300 last year. “Films are shown on just four screens in Mysuru which had a combined capacity of 550. How many more viewers can the theatres accommodate?”, Mr. Muddukrishna asked, ruling out poor response as a reason for skipping Mysuru.
