The 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) concluded on 8 March 2025, celebrating global cinema’s diversity and excellence. The festival showcased over 200 films from 60 countries, attracting cinephiles and industry professionals alike.
Award Highlights
- Best Indian Film: Humans in the Loop by Aranya Sahay. This Hindi film explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and human experience.
- Second Best Indian Film: Level Cross, a Malayalam psychological thriller directed by Arfaz Ayub.
- Best Kannada Film: Mikka Bannada Hakki by Manohara K.
- Best Asian Film: In the Land of Brothers, directed by Raha Amirfazli and Alireza Ghasemi from Iran.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, marking her 50-year contribution to cinema. Due to prior commitments, she couldn’t attend, and actor Arundathi Nag received the award on her behalf.
Festival Highlights
The festival’s theme, ‘Universal Peace in Diversity’, resonated through its curated selections. The opening ceremony at Bengaluru’s Vidhan Soudha featured performances by violinist L. Subramaniam and singer Kavitha Krishnamurthy.
Artistic Director N. Vidyashankar noted a significant increase in attendance, with footfall reaching approximately one lakh, a 30-40% rise from the previous edition.
Jury Special Mentions
- Feminichi Fathima (Malayalam) by Fasil Muhammed.
- Pyre (Hindi) by Vinod Kapri.
FIPRESCI Award
The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) honoured Humans in the Loop with its award, further cementing the film’s critical acclaim.
The 16th BIFFes not only celebrated cinematic achievements but also fostered discussions on inclusivity and the evolving landscape of storytelling. As the curtains fall, the festival’s impact on filmmakers and audiences continues to resonate.
