The 15^th edition of Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES) will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka on the evening of February 29, 2024. Regular screenings will be held in 11screens at PVR Cinemas, OrionMall,Rajajinagar,Kalavidara Sangha Auditorium at Chamarajpet and Suchitra,BSK II Stage,Bengaluru.

A specially curated section-Suvarna Karnataka Sambhrama- feting 90 years of Kannada Cinema, Special screenings in honour of renowned Kannada film personalities of yesteryears actress Leelavathi, directors Bhagwan and CV Shivashankar, who passed away during the year, Centenary tributes to the most distinguished music director of Kannada Cinema Vijaya Bhaskar are among the prominent highlights of the 15th Edition of Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES) which kicks off from February 29, 2024.

According to BIFFes Artistic Directror N Vidyashankar on this special occasion of Kannada Cinema celebrating 90 years of glorious journey and 50 years of Kannada State being named Karnataka,a special kaleidoscope of Kannada Cinema will be presented covering significant films of historical and cultural values.

The Country Focus this year brings films from Germany in collaboration with Goethe Institut/MaxmuellerBhavan, while the Retrospectives Section pays homage to eminent Dadasaheb PhalkeAward winning Bengali Film Director Mrinal Sen and eminent Iranian Filmmaker Abbas Kairostomi.

As in the past,BIFFes’ Academic activities will see Seminars / Workshops/Masterclasses/ Interactive Sessions. These include:

1. ConstitutionalValuesandIndianLecturebyeminentfilmmaker,Theatrepersonality Dr. Jabbar Patel
2. Sculpting in time, The Art of Film Editing-Workshop by a German Filmmaker Kai Eiermann, in collaboration with Goethe Institute(MaxMuellerBhavan),Bangalore.
3. Panel/Round Table discussion on suvarana Kamataka Samhhrama & 90years ofKannada Talkie Cinema by Karnataka Chalanachitra Patrakartara sangha
4. Seminar on FilmAcademics in collaboration with RVUniversity & International Federation of Film Critics -FIPRESCI.
5. VK Murthy Annual Memorial Lecture on Cinematography with eminent filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli in conversation with Cinematographer HM Ramachandra and Art Director Shashidhar Adapa.
6. MrinalSen Centenary Tribute,Lecture by Bengali Filmmaker ShekarDas
7. Contribution to Music in cinema -A discussion in memory of Music Composer Vijayabhaskar as a Centenary Tribute
8. Diplomacy through Music, Presentation of a short film”PeaceNotes”followed by a paneldiscussion with Ms. Nirupama Menon Rao,Diplomat, Former Ambassador to US & China, Dr.Indira Chandrasekhar,Scientist & Writer and Mr.Sudhakar Rao,FormerChief Secretary to Govt. of Karnataka.

1. Panel discussion on Human Dignity & Values as represented in films moderated by Ms. Sandhya Kumar
2. Workshop on Art/Production design coordinated by Shashidhar Adapa
3. Screening of the Bodo Film”Wild Swans” followed by a conversation on Gender sensitivity with the Filmmaker Ms.Rajni Basumatary,in collaboration with Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha

The closing Award distribution ceremony will be held at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha on the evening of March7,2024 and the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka shall distribute awards to the winners of the Competition Sections

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Ajay KR