Celebrating Triumph: ‘Humans of Loop’ Captures Best Indian Film at BIFFes 2025; ‘Mikka Bannada Hakki’ Shines as Best Kannada Movie
As the curtains came down on the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) on Saturday, the city’s vibrant cultural scene was celebrated with the announcement of this year’s laureates. The Hindi film “Humans in the Loop,” which skillfully weaves together the dynamic themes of artificial intelligence and humanity, took home the prestigious Best Indian Film award. Directed by Aranya Sahay, the film explores the poignant journey of an Adivasi woman navigating the digital landscape while working in a remote data center in Jharkhand, capturing the intersection of tradition and modernity.
In the Kannada cinema category, Manohara K.’s debut directorial venture, “Mikka Bannada Hakki,” was crowned the best Kannada film of the festival. Manohara, who transitioned from his start as a child artist in the National Award-winning “Railway Children,” received widespread acclaim for his nuanced storytelling. The film, produced by Prithvi Konanur, was also showcased at international film festivals in Shanghai and Iran, further solidifying its impact on a global scale.
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi, a stalwart of Indian cinema with 50 illustrious years in the industry, was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Arundhati Nag, a respected figure in theater, accepted the honor on Azmi’s behalf, as the latter was engaged at an International Women’s Day event in Delhi. “Shabana is my role model. She is a woman of substance,” Nag expressed, highlighting Azmi’s enduring influence.
The festival’s artistic director, N. Vidyashankar, noted a significant uptick in attendance, with approximately one lakh participants, marking a 30-40% increase from the previous edition. This surge reflects growing enthusiasm for cinema in the region. The competition also acknowledged films like the Malayalam thriller “Level Cross” and “Swaha,” which secured the second and third spots in the Indian Cinema Competition, respectively. In the Kannada Cinema Competition, Tulu films “Pidayi” and “Daskath” were recognized as the second and third best films.
Beyond the awards, the closing ceremony held at the Department of Information and Public Relations faced logistical challenges. An unexpected venue change due to repairs at the originally planned Vidhana Soudha led to seating shortages, with several attendees standing while foreign delegates were accommodated. Actor and music composer Sadhu Kokila, serving as the academy chairman, apologized for the inconvenience, emphasizing unforeseen circumstances.
The event resonated with calls for greater inclusivity, underscored by actor and festival brand ambassador Kishore, who urged a more welcoming society. Karnataka’s Labour Minister, Santosh Lad, echoed this sentiment, encouraging the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy to allocate more screens for small-scale, content-rich films.
In the broader Asian Cinema Competition, notable entries included “In The Land of Brothers” from Iran, France, and the Netherlands, “Reading Lolita In Tehran,” a joint Israeli-Italian production, and the evocative Bengali film “Saba.” Special Jury Mentions went to “Feminichi Fathima” (Malayalam) and “Pyre” (Hindi), while “Humans in the Loop” clinched the FIPRESCI Award, underscoring its critical acclaim.
The festival’s conclusion marked a celebration not just of cinematic excellence but also of the evolving narratives that continue to shape our understanding of art, culture, and technology in the modern era.
Published on March 09, 2025.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/biffes-2025-humans-of-loop-wins-best-indian-film-award-mikka-bannada-hakki-adjudged-best-kannada-movie/article69307523.ece
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Publish Date: 2025-03-09 07:18:00
