Bergen International Film Festival

Historie

The Bergen International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in October in Bergen, Norway since 2000, and is the largest film festival in the nation in number of films. The 17th edition of the festival in 2016 featured 160 films in the program. The festival leader is Tor Fosse, and BIFF is owned by Bergen Cinema.The festivals main venue is Bergen Cinema's Magnus Barefoot Cinema Centre, with additional screenings taking place at the local art film theatre at Georgernes Verft and at the student cinema at Kvarteret.HistoryIn 2000, Bergen was a European Capital of Culture. Due to the occasion, Bergen Cinema arranged Bergen International Film Festival, with the most important films from the festival circuit of the year and many sneak previews of movies already picked up for Norwegian distribution. BIFF was one of the most successful events to take place during the celebration of the Cultural City with almost 20,000 visitors, and was arranged again the year after.Over the years the festival has grown to be one of the biggest in Norway, with more than 160 films and 64,000 admissions in 2016.ProgrammesBergen International Film Festival is organised in various sections: Checkpoints, the main program at BIFF, hosted with the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, consisting of documentaries focusing on human rights. Since 2010, a jury has selected a winner. International Documentary Program, with a special selection competing for the best international documentary award. Norwegian Documentary Program, with a special selection competing for awards for best Norwegian documentary and best Norwegian short documentary. Norwegian Short Film Competition, a special program of short films, where filmmakers have to apply before being accepted.