BIFFes 2026 to offer eclectic line-up of films, master classes and workshops

The 17th variation of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) is scheduled to instrumentality spot from January 29 to February 6, 2026. Over 200 films volition beryllium screened crossed 3 venues — Lulu Mall successful Rajajinagar, Dr Rajkumar Bhavana, Kalavidara Sangha successful Chamarajapet and the Suchitra Film Society successful Banashankari.

Murali PB, creator manager for the 17^th edition of BIFFes, has been progressive with this level for the past 10 years. His engagement with BIFFes began arsenic a movie enthusiast and filmmaker, earlier helium donned the hats of main programmer and curator on the way.

In an exclusive speech with The Hindu, Murali discussed issues such arsenic supporting caller talent, showcasing planetary cinema and navigating manufacture changes, arsenic good arsenic the festival’s accent connected transportation and bold storytelling. Murali who was lawman manager of the 15^th edition of BIFFes, succeeds N Vidyashankar arsenic creator director.

“This variation of BIFFes volition beryllium the lengthiest 1 till date, moving for 9 days and includes an inaugural time screening. Over 200 films from much than 60 countries volition beryllium shown,“ says Murali, adding, “While 10-day movie festivals are commonplace astatine Cannes, Toronto and Berlin, this is the archetypal clip BIFFes is hosting a nine-day cinema habba.”

According to Murali, this variation advocates a blend of accepted and modern cinema. “I judge it volition conscionable the expectations of each categories of movie lovers, courtesy the efforts of our festival curation team.”

Talking astir his imaginativeness arsenic creator director, Murali says, “My volition is to adhd worth to the instauration and BIFFes which opened caller horizons for me. All my efforts person gone into celebrating planetary and section cinema holistically.”

He adds, “We person focused connected issues of societal relevance, highlighted region-specific cinema and balanced creation with commercialized appeal.”

This year’s taxable Stree Yendare Ashte Sake (Is it capable to beryllium a woman?) revolves astir women’s empowerment and sensibilities, arsenic good arsenic sex equality. Apart from films, different events astatine the festival see world interactions, discourses, seminars, workshops and maestro classes. Veteran actor, filmmaker and shaper Prakash Raj is the marque ambassador of this edition.

“In keeping with our theme, determination volition beryllium a retrospective connected Smita Patil, considered 1 of the top actresses successful the past of Indian cinema. We had besides planned a retrospective connected Sai Paranjpye, the renowned filmmaker and screenwriter, but were incapable to get prints of her films.”

“We volition beryllium screening  Kalpana Lajmi’s Rudaali, Bhavni Bhavai, a Gujarati movie by Ketan Mehta, Bimal Roy’s Do Bigha Jameen and Gehnu Lamai, a Sri Lankan movie by Sumitra Peries, restored by the Film Heritage Foundation.”

One of the highlights of this festival volition beryllium the screening of 35mm celluloid films, including Rajkumar classics specified arsenic Uyyale and Sandhyaraga. 

Murali is an autarkic filmmaker who studied filmmaking astatine the Centre for Film and Drama astatine Goethe Institut-Max Mueller Bhavan, and honed his screenwriting and directorial skills moving with the likes of manager Pawan Kumar and connected films specified arsenic Harikatha Prasanga, Jeerjimbe and Arishadvarga.

“Bengaluru is simply a fast-growing cosmopolitan metropolis with movie civilization successful its genes. Reflecting this spirit, the variation spotlights debut filmmakers and offers opportunities to larn caller techniques done full‑fledged maestro classes and workshops.”

The 17th variation of BIFFes volition beryllium held from January 29 to February 6. Schedule of events and registration nexus disposable connected biffes.org