BIFFES, a shot in the arm for Kannada films'

BENGALURU: As the 8th Bengaluru International FIlm Festival (BIFFes) draws to a close on Thursday, with a grand ceremony in Mysuru, the organisers termed the event a grand success, while vowing to return with a more improved and exotic fare of movies next year.

The Chairman of Karnataka Chitrakala Academy, S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, said, “The festival has been great success. The demand was as such that there were even incidents of people trying to use fake entry passes to gain access to the event. One of the main highlights was the inaugural function held in front of Vidhana Soudha. Moreover, nowhere in the world have 15 screens been used simultaneously in two cities - Bengaluru and Mysuru. There is already huge demand in Mysuru for more such screenings.”

He also expressed happiness about the way Kannada films fared at the event. “Films like Thithi were jam packed during its screening. It is good that such films in the event attracted more audience than any star like Puneeth Rajkumar and Darshan. There was pressure from ministers and MLAs for multiple number of screening of such movies. We decided to go by the scheduled programme.”

Babu also clarified that Kannada films were not at all neglected at the festival. “On our demand for a separate directorate for film festival, the Chief Minister has agreed in principle, and with the election code under operation, the announcement is expected soon,” he added.

Apart from Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, KFCC, several film unions and institutes extended their complete support resulting in grand success, said actress and MLC Jayamala. The KCA head said that actor and Minister Ambareesh will lead the artistes at the closing ceremony which be accompanied by cultural programmes.

On closing ceremony being held in Mysuru, Babu said that the significance of choosing Mysuru is for the reason that around 1928, the then Mysuru Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadeyar (Mummudi) had brought a film camera from London and had recorded a play which was organised in the palace. “Perhaps it was the stepping stone in terms of initiating film activities in Mysuru and surrounding areas,” he said.

While wrapping it up, Babu promised to correct the shortcoming in the coming years to make it the best international film festival in the world.