The second Bodhisattva International Film Festival (BIFF) will be organised at Adhiveshan Bhavan from February 16 to 23. The eight-day film festival is being organised under the aegis of Grameen Sneh foundation (GSF).

"The aim is to create sensitivity and awareness among people about contemporary and historical events as films mirror society," festival chairman Ganga Kumar said.

The tagline of the festival - "Bihar - Ek Virasat". The idea is to connect Bihar with mainstream cinema. "Besides providing movie buffs in the state a chance to acquaint themselves with the world of cinema, we want the state government's attention to build a film city here," Kumar said.

"Though Bihar possesses a cinema culture, there has been a decline in the number of people going to theatres in recent times. Our effort is to bring residents to the festival," BIFF executive director Vineet Kumar said.

"Over 100 films from 40 different countries - Iran, USA, France, Italy, Spain, Britain, Turkey, Russia, Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, Portugal, Austria, Mexico, Poland, Australia and Indonesia - will be screened," GSF president Sneha Routray said. "The films have been divided into categories like feature film, documentary, short film, animation, Asian Vista and World Cinema (international and national). Country-wise the focus is on Sri Lanka and retrospective is on Adoor Gopalkrishnan, Indian Bioscope and Bihar, Ek Nazariya. We will also have theatre, art and craft exhibition, live performances and panel discussions."

BIFF will remember Om Puri, screening five of his films - Sadgati (Satyajit Ray), Dharavi (Sudhir Mishra), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (Kundan Shah) and Ardh Satya and Droh Kaal (Govind Nihalani).

Entry will be by invitation or pass. People can apply online for a pass on the BIFF website or get it from the registration counter at the venue. Three screens have been installed at the venue to screen fifteen films daily.