The 17th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES) will be held from January 29 to February 6 in the city, bringing together cinema from across the world. Organised by the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy in association with the Department of Information and Public Relations, the festival will showcase over 200 films from more than 60 countries, with 400-plus screenings planned across multiple venues.
Veteran actor, director, and producer Prakash Raj has been appointed as the brand ambassador of the festival. The decision was taken during a preparatory meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday. Announcing the details at a press conference, the Chief Minister said the grand opening ceremony of the festival will be held on the iconic steps in front of Vidhana Soudha, giving the event a distinctive public presence. He also revealed that women’s empowerment will be the central theme of this year’s edition.
Film screenings will primarily take place across 11 screens at Cinepolis, Lulu Mall, Rajajinagar. In addition, selected films will also be screened at Dr Rajkumar Bhavan, Kalavidara Sangha, Chamarajapete, and Suchitra Film Society theatres in Banashankari, ensuring wider access for cinephiles across the city.
The competitive sections for Asian, Indian, and Kannada cinema have already received a strong response, with over 110 films submitted so far. The final date for submissions to these competitive categories is December 31, 2025.
BIFFES 2025 will present a curated selection of acclaimed films that have travelled to and won recognition at prestigious global festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, Rotterdam, Busan, and Toronto. Audiences will also get the opportunity to watch several Oscar-shortlisted films from different countries under special sections.
International cultural institutions including the Polish Cultural Centre, Goethe-Institut Max Mueller Bhavan (Bengaluru), Alliance Française – French Institute, and the Royal Thailand Consulate are collaborating to present films from their respective countries. A special retrospective celebrating the birth centenary of legendary Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda will be organised in association with the Polish Cultural Centre. Additionally, a curated package documenting the history of African cinema will be screened in collaboration with Alliance Française Bengaluru and the French Institute in India.
To encourage wider participation, a dedicated venue will host academic discussions, panels, and film-related interactions. A special photo exhibition tracing 91 years of Kannada cinema will also be set up, highlighting key milestones in the industry’s journey.
For the 2025–26 edition of the festival, the government has allocated a budget of ₹7 crore. Awards for Best Films and Lifetime Achievement will be presented at the closing ceremony.
Several senior officials, film personalities, and members of the organising committee were present at the preparatory meeting, marking the official countdown to one of India’s most significant film festivals.