COVID Surge: Bengaluru International Film Festival Postponed

Due to the rise in the number of COVID-19 positive cases, the Karnataka government has decided to postpone the 13th edition of Bengaluru International film festival (Biffes) which was scheduled on March 24 and 31. The order was issued on Monday.

Prior to the government order, a core committee, headed by Principal Secretary of Information and Public Relations Department, held a meeting, in which all the stakeholders agreed to postpone the event.

“There have been reports of a surge in Covid pandemic infections across India, including the Karnataka state. In pursuance of the observations issued by the Health and Family Welfare services department, the Government of Karnataka has ordered the postponement of the 13th edition of Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) indefinitely. The Covid pandemic situation will be reviewed at an appropriate time and further updates on the 13th edition of BIFFes will follow accordingly(sic) ” the organizers of the festival posted on its official Facebook page.

The Karnataka Chief Minister had unveiled the logo of this year’s edition of the film festival in February. Being an International event, thousands of people throng the festival that makes it difficult to follow COVID guidelines.

The Chairperson of the Karnataka Film Academy (KFA), Suneel Puranik said in a recent press meeting that the next schedule of the event will be decided after consulting experts.