Sci560 Film Festival to explore Bengaluru’s science, culture, and legacy through cinema 

The films presented at the Sci560 Film Festival were selected through an open call and curated by a jury composed of members from the Bangalore Film Forum and the SGB team. The festival’s screenings highlight various aspects of Bengaluru, from its urban landscape to its technological advances and deep-rooted scientific traditions.

Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) is set to host the Sci560 Film Festival on February 1 and 2, at the Bangalore International Centre (BIC), Domlur from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days. The festival will feature 20 films in four languages, exploring Bengaluru’s scientific and cultural legacy.  

The films presented at the Sci560 Film Festival were selected through an open call and curated by a jury composed of members from the Bangalore Film Forum and the SGB team. The festival’s screenings highlight various aspects of Bengaluru, from its urban landscape to its technological advances and deep-rooted scientific traditions.

The festival opens with Down the Drain by filmmaker Nitya Misra, an SGB-commissioned documentary examining Bengaluru’s pressing water crisis. This screening will be followed by a discussion featuring Misra and socio-hydrologist Veena Srinivasan, offering a deeper understanding of the challenges and possible solutions related to the city’s water management.  

On the second day, the festival’s spotlight is on In Search of Gold by filmmaker Basav Biradar, a documentary that delves into the history and significance of the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF). This screening will be followed by a discussion with physicists Nirmal Raj and Palahalli Vishwanath, providing insights into the scientific and historical relevance of the once-thriving mining town.  

Speaking to The Hindu, “The Sci560 Film Festival captures the essence of Bengaluru’s evolving identity,” said Gayatri Manu, Programme Manager at Science Gallery Bengaluru. “Through 20 films, we showcase Bengaluru’s scientific and technological journey, its people, and the vibrant subcultures that make the city unique.” Jahnavi Phalkey, Founding Director of SGB, emphasised the significance of this year’s festival. “We are thrilled to bring back our film festival with a focus on Bengaluru. This time, we are especially proud to present a film commissioned by us, the first in SGB’s history. Our long-standing collaboration with BIC continues to create exciting opportunities for engagement.” Sandhya Kannan, Programme Manager at BIC, said that the festival’s importance is to understand Bengaluru’s identity. “These films offer varied perspectives on how the city influences us and vice versa. We invite audiences to discover and share what Bengaluru means to them.”  

This festival follows the success of the CARBON Film Festival in June 2024 and is part of SGB’s broader Sci560: Science in the City exhibition, currently on display at its Sanjaynagar premises. The exhibition examines Bengaluru’s evolution through a military-industrial-academic perspective, drawing connections between major research and cultural institutions. Supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, the exhibition provides an insightful lens into the city’s transformation over time. 

In addition to the screenings, Sci560 Film Festival will host interactive programmes from 5 p.m. onwards on both days. Participants can take part in a Bengaluru-themed quiz, testing their knowledge of the city’s history, geography, and cultural trivia. A virtual scavenger hunt will also be available, encouraging participants to explore the city’s landmarks in an engaging way. Further enhancing audience engagement, interactive installations at BIC will invite attendees to contribute their own memories, stories, and experiences related to Bengaluru. These installations aim to create a collective, crowd-sourced representation of the city’s identity, incorporating its rich history and dynamic transformation.