The PIFF, organized by Cineyatra, commenced at the BAMETI auditorium on April 16. Based on the theme a Ganga, Gandhi aur Balidana, it was the first of its kind in the state. It was decided to host the festival in April as Mahatma Gandhi visited Patna on April 10, 1917, before launching his Chamapran Satyagraha. Prior to that Gandhi held several meetings across the state. The theme aimed to commemorate his visit.