The Bengaluru International Short Film Festival (BISFF) has begun its 16th edition, with the festival's in-person programme getting underway across Bengaluru. Over the next four days, filmmakers, students, industry professionals and cinema lovers will come together for film screenings, panel discussions and networking events at multiple cultural and cinema venues across the city.
Presented by the Azim Premji Foundation, BISFF 2026 is being held online from August 6 to 16, while the physical festival is taking place from August 13 to 16. This year's edition has drawn more than 3,400 submissions from over 100 countries, with the official selection featuring stories that cut across cultures, languages and filmmaking styles.
BISFF continues to hold a unique place in India's festival circuit as the country's only Oscar-qualifying short film festival. Winners in the Indian, International and Animation competition categories become eligible for Academy Awards consideration, giving independent filmmakers a significant global platform.
The festival was inaugurated by Leonard Heydecker, Director of Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan Bengaluru, along with BISFF Founder and Artistic Director Anand Varadaraj. The opening ceremony featured screenings of Bare, Coming Out With My Driver, Sthir and Maddu, four films jointly supported by BISFF and Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan Bengaluru.
Speaking at the inauguration, Anand Varadaraj said short films remain one of cinema's most powerful storytelling formats.
"Short films allow filmmakers to take creative risks. They can tell complete stories in just a few minutes. This year's festival brings together voices from different parts of the world while also giving space to stories from our own communities," he said.
Among the highlights this year is AI: Machine Made Movies, a new section that examines the growing role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking and storytelling. Another addition is Dancing Lens, which celebrates films built around dance, movement and visual storytelling.
The festival has also expanded its industry initiatives. The Discovery Film Market, organised in association with Producer Bazaar, aims to connect filmmakers with producers, distributors and OTT platforms. Meanwhile, the Echoes Film School Conference, hosted with RV University, will feature sessions designed for students and emerging filmmakers, offering opportunities to interact with established professionals and learn about different aspects of the business.
With an international line-up, conversations on emerging technologies and dedicated forums for filmmakers, BISFF 2026 promises four days of cinema that go beyond screenings, creating opportunities for collaboration, learning and discovering new voices.
