The ninth edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (Biffes), which kickstarted in Bengaluru on February 2, concluded in a grand manner on the Mysuru Palace premises here on Thursday.
A series of cultural programmes were organised to add colour to the event. Film artistes performed a variety of cultural programmes.
Awards were given for the best movies screened during the festival under different categories.
While ‘A Father’s Mill’ directed by Bakit Mukul bagged the award under Asian Cinema category, ‘Harikatha Prasanga’ (Chronicles of Hari) directed by Ananya Kasaravalli and produced by Basanth Kumar Patil won the Best Indian Cinema Award under Indian Cinema competition.
Kannada movie ‘Lathe Joshi’ directed by Mangesh Joshi and produced by Pravah Nirmitee got the ‘Special Jury’ award and ‘Special Jury Mention’ was awarded for ‘Kaadu Pookkunna Neram’ directed by Bijukumar Damodaran. ‘Loktak Lairambee’ (Lady of the Lake) directed by Haobam Paban Kumar bagged Fipresci-India P K Nair Memorial Critics Jury award.
Under the Kannada Cinema competition, ‘Rama Rama Re’ directed by D Satya Prakash and produced by Kannada Kolour Cinemas bagged ‘Best Kannada Cinema’ award. ‘Pallata’ and ‘Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu’ bagged second third best Kannada Cinema awards. These awards are instituted by Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy.
Kannada movie ‘Uppina Kagada’ directed by B Suresha was won International Jury prize under Kannada cinema category. The prize is instituted by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema. ‘Kotigobba-2’, ‘Doddmane Hudga’ and ‘Jaggu Dada’ bagged first, second and third prizes respectively under popular Kannada movies category.
Governor Vajubhai Vala, who distributed the awards, said that every year three best Kannada movies should be selected and awarded Rs 50 lakh each.
Movie makers have a great responsibility on them as cinema is a major medium of communication. Film producers must come out with movies with healthy message to society, he suggested.
Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa and Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy chairman S V Rajendra Singh Babu were present.