Sat Mar 01 18:22:28 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Launches 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival, Announces New Film City

**Bengaluru, March 1, 2025** – The 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) opened Saturday evening with a call for cinema to address societal issues and promote unity. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the festival, highlighting the upcoming construction of a world-class film city near Mysuru on a 150-acre plot. The land has already been transferred to the Information Department, and construction is expected to begin soon.

Siddaramaiah emphasized the importance of film festivals in reflecting global culture and urged the film industry to create cinema that blends human values with technology, promoting progressive ideals and addressing growing social unrest. He praised the humanist values in the films of Dr. Rajkumar, contrasting them with what he sees as a lack of such values in contemporary cinema. He cautioned against films promoting superstition and anti-constitutional values.

Actor Shivarajkumar, recently returned from cancer surgery in the U.S., announced his return to filmmaking on Monday, to enthusiastic applause. Actor Kishore Kumar G., the festival’s brand ambassador, advocated for film appreciation courses in schools. The festival opened with the screening of “Pyre,” and will feature over 200 films across multiple venues.

However, the event also saw a pointed message from Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who expressed anger at the Kannada film industry’s perceived lack of support for the Congress party’s Mekedatu project padayatra and low attendance at the BIFFes inauguration. He issued a veiled warning, stating that the government “knows how to tighten the screws” if the industry doesn’t cooperate. He noted the exception of actors Sadhu Kokila and Vijay, who supported the party, and highlighted the recent appointment of Sadhu Kokila as president of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy.

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