Bengaluru International Short Film Festival Returns for 14th Edition from August 8
The 14th edition of the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival (BISFF) is scheduled to run from August 8 to 18 this year. The festival will host online screenings throughout its duration, with in-person viewings taking place from August 15 to 18 at multiple venues across Bengaluru, according to the Deccan Herald.
Film Submissions and New Categories
This year’s festival has received an impressive 3,213 submissions from 94 countries. Out of these, 266 films have been selected for presentation across various categories. Among the new additions is the ‘Queer Qorner’ category, dedicated to films that spotlight the LGBTQIA+ community. Previously, these films were part of the ‘Let’s Include’ category, which will now focus exclusively on stories related to individuals with mental and physical diversities.
In response to a significant increase in animated film submissions from India, a new competitive segment for Indian animated films has been introduced. Artistic director Anand Varadaraj highlighted this surge in submissions over the past year, reflecting the growing interest and talent in Indian animation.
Competitive Categories and Workshops
The festival will feature a range of competitive categories, including international, Indian, Karnataka, and ‘Women’s Cinema Collective’, among others. Additionally, BISFF will offer a makeup workshop and an editing workshop, aiming to provide educational opportunities for participants and attendees.
Jury and Venues
This year’s jury comprises several distinguished figures from the film industry, including Shashank Sogal, Advaitha Gurumurthy, Kempa Raju, Sana Ravi Kumar, Samyukta Hornad, Gowri Nair, and Pallavi Rao. Their diverse expertise is expected to bring valuable insights and perspectives to the festival’s judging process.
The festival will be hosted at several key venues in Bengaluru:
- Suchitra Film Society, Banashankari
- Goethe Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, Indiranagar
- Indian Institute of World Culture, Basavanagudi
- Srihari Khoday Auditorium, Konanakunte