Asitha’s Iraq booms in British Oscars

A film by young writer, director and producer Asitha Ameresekere has been nominated for Britain’s biggest and most prestigious film awards – the BAFTA awards 2007 -- the forerunner to the Oscars.

Asitha Ameresekere’s film ‘Do Not Erase’ which explores the impact of the Iraq war on an ordinary family in the north of England has been nominated in the Short Film category of the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts). The awards ceremony will be on February 11 at the Royal Opera House in London.

The British Academy Film Awards are presented annually to recognise, honour and reward individuals for outstanding achievement in feature films released theatrically within the awards year.

“There has been nobody from Sri Lanka nominated for the BAFTAs to my knowledge,” says film doyen Lester James Peries, adding, “it’s very prestigious. The BAFTAs are the British counterpart of the Oscars and sometimes, I think they make a better choice.”

Born in Britain to Sri Lankan parents, Asitha Ameresekere, had his early education at the Overseas Childrens School (OCS) in Colombo spending many years of his childhood in Sri Lanka. He later went to Harrow in Britain.

Asitha is a former classicist, teacher and librarian who holds a Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts. His love of storytelling led him to making short films, music videos and stage plays and among his earlier credits are several short films such as ‘Cards’, ‘Noughts and Crosses’ and ‘In Sight’.

‘Do Not Erase’ has already gained international recognition, having won the International Competition Skoda Audience Award at the Hamburg International Short Film Festival 2006 as well as the Jury Award and Audience Award at Short Cuts, Cologne.

The BAFTAs, officially known as the Orange British Academy Film Awards have the entire gamut of the year’s blockbusters in the running for awards. Vying for the Best Film this year are Babel, The Departed, The Last King of Scotland, Little Miss Sunshine and The Queen.