Bengaluru's short film festival invites global submissions

The Bengaluru International Short Film Festival (BISFF) 2025 is now accepting submissions. This festival, which begins its 15th year, is the only Oscar-accredited short film festival in India. Filmmakers from around the world are invited to enter their works, with the deadline set for April 30. BISFF offers a space for young and amateur filmmakers to present their films. It also provides valuable feedback from industry professionals. The festival includes various segments such as international, Indian, and animation films, along with non-competition entries. Anand Varadaraj founded BISFF in 2010. He serves as the festival's Artistic Director and has been a mentor to many in the film industry. Anand envisioned BISFF as a platform for filmmakers to get objective feedback on their work, moving beyond just showing films to family and friends. The festival originally took place at the Suchitra Film Society. Anand credits the society for enhancing his own understanding of cinema. He has noticed significant growth in the short film medium, particularly during the pandemic when BISFF went virtual. During the virtual event, BISFF received over 50,000 views, far exceeding expectations. Anand highlights the importance of maintaining quality and is proud that filmmakers take pride in being part of the festival. Anand also shared his experience as a jury member at the Kinoproba Film Festival in Russia, where he encountered many films not usually seen in India. He was surprised to discover Russia's strong animation scene and appreciated the warmth of the filmmakers he met. For more information about BISFF, interested filmmakers can visit the festival's website.