Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurates the film festival on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha

Bengaluru, December 23 (Karnataka News):

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the 17th Bangalore International Film Festival is being organized from January 29 to February 06, 2026, and senior film artist, director and producer Prakash Raj has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador of the film festival.
Sharing information with the media after the preliminary meeting of the organizing committee of the 17th Bangalore International Film Festival held in the committee room of the Vidhana Soudha today, the Chief Minister said that the inauguration of the international film festival will be held on the grand steps in front of the Vidhana Soudha.
This year’s film festival will have a theme of women empowerment. The festival’s films will be screened on 11 screens at the Cine Palace in Lulumal, Rajajinagar.
The Bengaluru International Film Festival has begun accepting applications for the Asian, Indian and Kannada film competitions, and has received a good response. More than 110 films have been submitted to these three competitions so far, he said.
The last date for submission of applications for the competitive categories of films is December 31, 2025. The 17th International Film Festival will be held at Lulu Mall in Rajajinagar, as well as Dr. Rajkumar Bhavan, Artists’ Association, Chamarajpet and Suchitra Film Society cinemas in Banashankari. He said that there will be more than 400 screenings of 200 films from more than 60 countries, including Kannada and Indian films.
The best films from India and abroad that have participated in prestigious film festivals around the world and won various awards and recognition are participating in the 17th Bangalore International Film Festival. Films that have participated in film festivals in Cannes (France), Berlin (Germany), Venice (Italy), Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), Locarno (Czech Republic), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Busan (South Korea), Toronto (Canada) and won awards and recognition will be available for cinema lovers to watch at one place at the Bangalore Film Festival. In addition, the best films from various countries that have been shortlisted for this year’s Oscars will also be screened at our film festival, he said.
The Peçiliμï Cultural Center, New Delhi, Goethe Institute – Max Müller Bhavan, Bengaluru, Alliance Française – French Institute and the Royal Thai Consulate are showcasing the best films from their countries at the film festival. Similarly, in collaboration with the Peçiliμï Cultural Center, a special retrospective of selected films of renowned Polish director Andre Vajna is being organized at the film festival this time to commemorate his centenary.
Along with this, a special series of films documenting the history of African cinema is also being screened at this year’s film festival in collaboration with Alliance Française Bangalore and the French Institute in India. This time, there will be a special stage at the festival’s headquarters to facilitate the participation of a large number of registered delegates in the film academic programs of the film festival, he said.
A diverse photography exhibition depicting the milestones of the Kannada film industry, which has a history of 91 years of colorful and memorable cinema culture, will also be organized on the premises of the same venue.
Grant for organizing a film festival:
The Chief Minister said that the required grant of Rs. 7 crore has been provided for organizing the 17th International Film Festival of India in 2025-26. The awards for the best films and the Lifetime Achievement Award will be given at the closing ceremony of the final day.
On this occasion, Film Academy President Sadhu Kokila, Information and Public Relations Secretary B. B. Kaveri, Commissioner Hemant Nimbalkar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Anjum Parvez, Principal Secretary to the Economic Department Ritesh Kumar Singh, Academy members, organizing committee members, and Film Chamber of Commerce office bearers were present in the preliminary meeting.