L J Ravi 
The 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival-Biffes
March 01-March 08, 2025
Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The 16th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes | FIAPF Accredited film festival) will be held in Bengaluru, with the grand inauguration on the evening of Saturday, March 1″, 2025. The festival will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah, in the esteemed presence of Deputy Chief Minister Shri D. K. Shivakumar and renowned film personalities. The opening ceremony will take place in front of Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, attended by National and International film personalities, delegates, filmmakers, and renowned celebrities.
Screening Venues:
*Film screenings will be held at 11 screens in PVR Cinemas – Orion Mall, Rajajinagar
Festival Content:
The festival will showcase more than 200 films (400 shows) from around 60 countries under various categories. This includes critically acclaimed films that have been featured in prestigious international film festivals.
16th BIFFes, under the World Cinema category, will feature some of the best contemporary films from the USA, the UK, Germany, France, South Korea, Poland, Georgia, Brazil, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Iran, Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Russia, the Philippines, Romania, Japan, Spain, Indonesia, Italy, and more.
The 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival promises an immersive cinematic experience, bringing world-class films to the heart of Bengaluru.
Universal Peace in Diversity
The Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) is renowned for its thematic representation of films, showcasing meaningful cinema that resonates with global audiences. Continuing this tradition, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah has suggested and announced the theme for the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival as ‘Universal Peace in Diversity’. In a time when the world faces various challenges and tensions, the festival aims to emphasize the importance of unity in diversity. Films that celebrate love, peace, unity, and trust will be showcased, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to promoting harmony through the power of cinema medium.
The 16th BIFFes promises an enriching cinematic experience, bringing together diverse cultures and perspectives to inspire meaningful conversations.
During the film festival, daily film academic programs will be conducted, including interactive sessions, seminars, workshops and masterclasses by experts from the film, media, technology, and industry.
Academic Sessions
A Panel discussion and interactive session reflecting on 91 years of Kannada cinema and the anniversary release of first Kannada Talkie film Sati Sulochana in 1934.
A full-day seminar on the use of Artificial Intelligence (Al) in film production Coordinated by Shri Vidyasagar.
A Panel Discussion on Regional Cinema and Distribution Challenges:
Mukesh Mehta & others
Lecture on Inner Workings of a Film Lab and Film Production
Raymond Phathan Virangoon (Thailand Film Producer)
Seminar on Cinematic Representation and Its Impact on Audiences:
Coordinated by: Ms. Shamanta D.S.
Centenary Tribute and Remembering Guru Dutt, Shyam Benegal, Ritwik Ghatak: Pankaj Saxena (Academician & Film Critic) along with other distinguished speakers.
Panel Discussion on Contemporary Cinema featuring film critics from the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), in collaboration with the R.V. University, Bengaluru.
VK Murthy Annual Memorial Lecture on Cinematography
Reviving Classic Cinema – Restorations and Remasters in the Digital Age
Music and Cinema: A Special Lecture
The 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) will feature competitive sections for Asian, Indian, and Kannada films. In each of these three categories, awards will be presented to the top three films in recognition of their excellence
Overview of the Festival’s Key Segments:
1. Asian Competition Section
2. Chitra Bharati – Indian Cinema Competition Section
3. Kannada Cinema Competition Section
4. Contemporary World Cinema
5. Kannada Cinema of Popular Entertainment
6. Critics’ Week
7. Bio-Pics
8. Country Focus – Special Section on Georgia & Brazil’s contemporary films
9. Unsung Incredible India
10. Retrospective Section -Polish Filmmaker Krzysztof Kieślowski, Indian Filmmaker Shyam Benegal & German Filmmaker Wim Wenders
11. Restored Classics: Ghatashraddha, Pallavi, Thampu, Kummaty, Maya Miriga etc.,
12. Centenary Tributes – Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor, Ritwik Ghatak & KS Ashwath
13, Thematic Films Based on the Festival’s Theme – ‘Universal Peace in Diversity’
14. Homage
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony of the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival (Biffes) will take place on the evening of March 8th. The event will be presided over by the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot.
During the ceremony, awards will be presented to the winners in the Asian, Indian, and Kannada competition categories, celebrating outstanding cinematic achievements.
Delegate Registration
Delegate registration for the festival will commence on February 12 via the official festival website Biffes.org. Interested participants need to follow the terms and guidelines on the website and complete the registration process by paying the required registration fee.
Eligibility:
Individuals aged 18 years and above are eligible to register as delegates.
Delegate Registration Fee Structure:
:
General Public: 800/-
Film Industry Professionals, Film Society Members, Students & Senior Citizens: 400/-
Delegate Pass Collection
Registered delegates can collect their Delegate Passes from any of the following locations starting from February 18th after completing online registration. Registration Helpdesks will also be available at these centers.
1. Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, Nandini Layout
2. Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, Shivananda Circle, Gandhinagar
The festival welcomes film industry professionals, enthusiasts and students to immerse themselves in the world of cinema and celebrate universal peace in diversity.
