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Screenings and events are spread across several venues in the city, turning the festival into a week-long cultural circuit rather than a single-location event.
Beyond screenings, BIFFes will host a series of panel discussions, masterclasses, lectures and filmmaker interactions. Representative Image: Canva
As January draws to a close, Bengaluru is once again preparing to swap traffic chatter for film conversations. The Bengaluru International Film Festival returns this week, bringing with it a wave of world cinema, filmmaker conversations and packed screening halls that have, over the years, become a familiar part of the city’s cultural calendar.
A Global Film Festival Returns to Bengaluru
The 17th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival will run from January 29 to 6th February 2026, turning multiple venues across the city into hubs of cinema from around the world. Organised by the Karnataka government and the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, the festival has steadily grown into one of India’s most significant international film showcases.
This year’s edition is expected to feature over 200 films from around 60 to 70 countries, making it a truly global programme. From award-winning international titles to independent Indian films and Kannada cinema, the festival aims to offer something for both serious cinephiles and casual moviegoers.
Main Venue: Cinepolis, Lulu Mall, Rajajinagar (11 screens).
Additional Venues: Dr. Rajkumar Bhavan, Artists’ Association in Chamarajapet, and Suchitra Film Society in Banashankari.
Total Screenings: Over 400 screenings of more than 200 films from 60+ countries.
What’s on Screen This Year
The film lineup includes a mix of contemporary world cinema, festival favourites from Cannes, Berlin, Venice and Toronto, and films that have featured in major awards conversations globally. Indian cinema will have a strong presence, with entries from across languages alongside a dedicated focus on Kannada films.
Several Oscar-contending and critically acclaimed international films are also part of the schedule, giving Bengaluru audiences access to titles that may not otherwise see a theatrical release in India. The programming is spread across multiple sections, allowing viewers to explore genres ranging from documentaries and experimental films to mainstream global narratives.
“I wait for BIFFes every year because this is where you discover films you didn’t even know existed,” said Sandeep Rao, a software professional and long-time festival attendee. “You come out of a screening thinking about life differently, and that’s rare.”
Theme and Conversations Beyond Cinema
This year’s festival places a strong emphasis on women-centric narratives and representation, with a special focus on films directed by women and stories centred on women’s experiences. The theme aims to spark conversations around gender, agency and storytelling in cinema, both on screen and off it.
Beyond screenings, BIFFes will host a series of panel discussions, masterclasses, lectures and filmmaker interactions. These sessions bring together directors, actors, critics and scholars to discuss filmmaking, storytelling, technology and the changing landscape of global cinema.
“For students like us, it’s not just about watching films,” said Ananya Kulkarni, a mass communication student. “Listening to filmmakers talk about how a film came together is just as exciting as the screening itself.”
A Festival That Belongs to the City
One of BIFFes’ defining features is its accessibility. Unlike industry-heavy festivals, it remains rooted in public participation, with affordable passes and halls filled with students, working professionals and long-time film enthusiasts. Over the years, the festival has helped nurture a strong film culture in Bengaluru, encouraging audiences to explore cinema beyond mainstream releases.
Screenings and events are spread across several venues in the city, turning the festival into a week-long cultural circuit rather than a single-location event.
What Film Lovers Can Expect
For Bengaluru’s audiences, BIFFes is not just about watching films. It is about discovering new voices, debating cinema over coffee, and spending long days hopping between screenings. As the lights dim across theatres once again, the festival promises a reminder of why the city continues to hold a special place on India’s cultural map.
For a week, at least, Bengaluru becomes a city where stories from the world meet stories from home, one frame at a time.
January 22, 2026, 15:42 IST
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