The Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy is all set to hold the sixth edition of the Bangalore International Film Festival (BIFFes) with the support of the government in December and offer a bouquet of the best of world cinema, besides national and regional classics. Under-Secretary, Department of Information, C. Manjula, on Friday issued an order directing the academy to commence preparations for the festival. The academy will submit an action plan by Monday, according to sources in the Department of Information.
The academy is conducting the film festival for the third time. Earlier, the government was extending financial assistance to Suchitra Film Society to organise the festival.
Core committee
The government has constituted a six-member core-committee including principal secretary, Department of Kannada, Culture and Information, and director, Department of Information.
Another panel
Similarly, a 23-member organising committee, including Minister for Information, presidents of various representative bodies of the film industry, associations of producers, directors, artistes, technicians, cinematographers and television artistes, has been formed. Directors Girish Kasaravalli and S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, actors Jayamala and Bhavana, art director Shashidhara Adapa, actor-director Prakash Belawadi, among others, will assist the core committee in holding the film festival.
‘Festival office’
It was said that permission has been given to set up a “festival office” to make preparations for the film festival and film critic N. Vidyashankar and organiser Anand Varadaraj will assist artistic director H.N. Narahari Rao in conducting the festival. The government has earmarked Rs. 2 crore and funds will be released once the action plan is submitted. Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Narahari Rao said that he and Minister for Information Santosh Lad discussed plans to make the event a memorable one.
Chairperson post
The vacant post of the chairperson of the chalanchitra academy is causing some concern. The government is serious about filling the post. Mr. Santosh Lad, it was said, has asked actor Ravichandran to shoulder the responsibility.
Mr. Ravichandran, in response, has said, “I sought complete freedom to build the academy and make it an institution of international repute. If they assure me of cooperation, I have no hesitation in accepting the offer.” However, according to sources, the names of Ms. Jayamala and Mr. Rajendra Singh Babu are being considered for the post.
