The Bhubaneswar Film Festival (BFF) returns for its second edition from June 6-9, 2025, at Jayadev Bhawan, promising a diverse cinematic experience.
OdishaPlus Bureau
The second edition of the Bhubaneswar Film Festival (BFF), organized by the Bhubaneswar Film Circle, is all set to take place from June 6 to 9 at Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar.
Following the resounding success of its inaugural edition in 2024, the festival returns with an exciting lineup of films, masterclasses, and interactions with prominent personalities from both Bollywood and Ollywood. The festival will open on the evening of June 6 with the screening of the classic Odia film Matira Manisha and an official inauguration ceremony attended by renowned directors, actors, and filmmakers.
Over four days, film lovers will be treated to a curated selection of classic and award-winning films. Screenings will begin each day at 10 AM and will remain open to the public, offering a rare chance to engage with cinematic gems. The festival will showcase nine critically acclaimed Odia films adapted from literary works, including Matira Manisha, Kaa and Bhakta Salabeg on June 6; Kalira Atita on June 7; and Krantidhara, Jajabar, Nirbachana, Kanaklata and Adina Megha on June 8 and 9.
Expanding beyond Odia cinema, the festival will also feature a diverse array of regional and national films, such as the Gujarati film Bhavani Bhabai by Ketan Mehta, Kannada film Ghatshraddha by Girish Kasaravalli, Urdu film Hamid, Marathi film Sasa, Chhattisgarhi film Bhulna Da Mej and Hindi film Damul, both directed by Prakash Jha, Tiwa language film Sika Lasal by Bobby Sharma Barua, Bengali classic Meghe Dhaka Tara by Ritwik Ghatak, and Hindi film Ankur by Shyam Benegal.
One of the major highlights of BFF 2025 is the inclusion of two masterclasses aimed at nurturing emerging talent. On June 7, celebrated Bollywood screenwriter Charudatta Acharya will conduct a masterclass on screenwriting at Gita Govinda Sadan. On June 8, noted casting director Abhimanyu Roy will lead a session on acting at the Orissa Press Club, Master Canteen Square, offering practical insights and guidance to aspiring actors.
Additionally, the festival will feature the prestigious Guru Dutt Memorial Lecture, to be delivered by acclaimed film critic and author Satya Saran, while another noted critic, Soma Chatterjee, will pay tribute to legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak.
As part of its mission to recognize excellence in cinema, BFF will felicitate five distinguished figures for their outstanding contributions to Odia cinema. These include veteran musician Tansen Singh, acclaimed actors Shyamlendu Bhattacharya and Jaya Swami, costume designer Nirmal Dash, and art director Banchanidhi Patnaik.
The event is being spearheaded by a passionate team comprising Sanjoy Patnaik, noted writer, filmmaker, and Convenor of BFF; Ashok Palit, renowned film critic; Subash Sahu, Bollywood director and sound engineer; and well-known actor Sukant Rath.
This press meet successfully unveiled the comprehensive plan for BFF 2025, setting the stage for what promises to be a memorable cinematic event.
