Organisers cite poor response last year despite transport and accommodation arrangements

Bengaluru: Mysureans will miss classics and movie masterpieces screened as part of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) this year as the organisers have decided not to screen any movies in Mysuru due to poor response last year.

The 10th Edition of BIFFes will be held in Bengaluru from Feb. 22 to March 1 and this time, unlike the previous years, there will be no screening in Mysuru.

Last year, some movies were screened at Inox in Mall of Mysore, as part of the festival and there was poor response. Following this, the organisers had decided to pull out from Mysuru in 2018.

Reacting on the issue, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy Chairman S.T. Rajendra Singh Babu had said the organisers were not happy with the poor response to the festival in Mysuru last year and hence had decided to restrict the festival to Bengaluru and a final decision would be taken after holding a meeting with CM Siddharamaiah and Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge.

Now, it has been confirmed that even screenings of movies would not be held in Mysuru. “The CM has clearly said that since it is Bengaluru film festival, it should be restricted to Bengaluru. So, there is no debate. Decision has been taken by the committee chaired by the CM to hold it only in Bengaluru,” said P. Manivannan, Secretary of Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR). The decision was taken so that the festival could be held in a better manner, said Department Director Dr. P.S. Harsha.

Earlier, at the release of the festival’s logo, it had been announced that unlike previous years, the valedictory function would not be held in Mysuru, but was said that screening of films would be held in both cities.

The festival is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru at Orion Mall from Feb. 22 to March 1. Last year, the closing ceremony was held in Mysuru, with transport and accommodation arrangements made for delegates coming from Bengaluru. However, the response was not up to the mark with many giving the function a miss.

The festival committee is considering a move to add a few more screens at a second venue, possibly in Mantri Mall, Bengaluru. At a press meet yesterday, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) called for the State’s film industry to take an off on Feb. 22 and Mar. 1 to attend the opening and closing ceremonies of BIFFes.