Summer of cinema here again
Much awaited the International Film Festival of Colombo (IFFCOLOMBO) will kick off this week for the second consecutive year with more than 100 films from the world over and a number of new Sri Lankan films which would have their premieres during the five day festival from October 7 to 11.
La Belle vie de Jean Denizot 2
Showcasing some of the rare films made by internationally acclaimed film makers from different corners of the globe, the screening which is free of charge will be held at the venues – Regal cinema, National Film Corporation Tharangani cinema, Majestic cinema, Arcade Empire cinema and the Sri Lanka Media Training Institute (SLMTI).
Sponsored by the National Film Corporation, Ceylon Theatres and the Okinawa International Movie Festival of Japan, this years’ programme will include a variety of fringe events and parallel sessions organized by the Film Directors’ Guild.
‘Cinema Mela’ –Film Bazaar and Exhibition
An educational exhibition themed ‘The Sri Lankan Film Industry – Then and Now’ will be held at the National Film Corporation premises.
The exhibition will provide a look in to the evolution of Sinhala Cinema from its infant years to the digital era. Internationally acclaimed documentary films and a British documentary film on Sri Lanka are scheduled to be screened at the event.
The stalls at the exhibition will include one on Make-up for the camera, an essential part of any cinematic creation. There will also be a booth at which newspaper supplements, magazines and publications in print media on the subject of Cinema will be available to the public in DVD format.
Parallel to this, a special lecture on acting will be delivered by veteran film and theatre actor, Saumya Liyanage. A documentary on renowned Art Director, Dharmasena Hemapala is scheduled to be screened with a ceremony to honour him.
A special programme is also being organized to pay tribute to make-up artiste Derrick Fernando and his service rendered over the years.
The book titled ‘Jayawilal Wilegoda Cinema Vichara Vimaseemak’, by film critic Gunasiri Silva is also to be launched at the exhibition premises.
A scene from Motor Bicycle
This year, the honour of Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed upon Indian film critic Aruna Vasudev and renowned Indian film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan for their respective contributions in placing Asian cinema on the international map.
Asian and Sri Lankan Films in Competition
In addition this year’s festival will have two competitive streams for feature films, under the categories of ‘Asian’ and ‘Sri Lankan’ films.
Ten critically acclaimed films produced in the Asian region in 2014/2015 will be short listed to compete at the final round of the Asian film competition.
The best film will be announced at the awards ceremony on the festival’s final night.
Mosaic of Sri Lankan new cinema
Titled Mosaic of Sri Lankan new cinema- the most cinematic movie of the year will bag the ‘Cinema of Tomorrow Award’ which will be named by a NETPAC appointed jury. Sri Lankan films produced during 2014/2015 will also compete for an award for the best film.
Film-Tuhog-Jeffrey Jeturian
Six short-listed feature films that would compete for the award are MadhuraCharika (Joyful Journeys) directed by UdayakanthaWarnasooriya, ‘Motor Bicycle’ by ShameeraRangana, ‘NimnayakaHudakalawa’ (Alone in a Valley) by BoodeeKeerthisena, ‘Premaya Nam’ (Dirty, Yellow, Darkness) by Kalpana Ariyawansha and Vindana Ariyawansha, ‘ReyaThawamaTharunayi’ (The Night is Still Young) by IndikaUdugampola, ‘The Letter’ by IsuruWeerasinghe.
Cinema from the World
With the purpose of giving wide cinematic experience to the Sri Lankan audience, more than 50 globally acclaimed movies will be screened at IFFC attached to the world cinema section.
Among these movies, Cannes golden palm award winning film ‘Dheepan’ directed by Jacques Audiard, Berlin golden bear award winning film ‘Taxi’ by Jafar Panahi, Eisenstein in Guanajuato by world cinema icon Peter Greenaway and Sils Maria by Olivier Assayas will be highly appreciated by the audience.
Documentary and Short Film corner: Regal Award by Ceylon Theatres
Ceylon Theatres Pvt Ltd , the main theatre partner of the IFFC is ready to felicitate the four best Sri Lankan short movie makers with the ‘Regal Award’ on closing ceremony night.
The winners will have a chance to screen their movies at Regal theatre which is one of the oldest and biggest cinema theatres in Sri Lanka. The films will be screened from 9 am to 10 pm at Sri Lanka Media Training Institute (SLMTI).
French Film Corner : a gift from France
The bunch of most acclaimed French movies will be presented to the festival viewers as a cinematic gift from the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka
Yoshimoto to present Japanese cinematic Flavour.
The IFFC in association with Okinawa International Movie Festival will create a cinematic path for movie lovers to grab Japanese cinematic flavour
The screening times for Colombo Regal cinema and Tharanganicinema at the National Film Corporation will be 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm and 9.30 pm. Majestic cinema and Arcade Empire cinema will have screenings at 10 am, 1pm, 4 pm and 7 pm. All short films and documentary films will be screened at the Sri Lanka Media Training Institute (SLMTI).
The free passes which are valid for all screenings can now be collected between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm at the festival office located at Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo 07.
