Lankan films in Beijing

For the first time in the history of cinema, a festival of Sri Lankan films will be held in China from November 21 to 24. Sri Lanka Film Festival in Beijing as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of China - Sri Lanka Diplomatic Relations is jointly organized by the National film Corporation of Sri Lanka with the Chinese Film Bureau and the Embassy in Sri Lanka.

The four films chosen for screening in two prestigious locations in the city centre in Beijing have been widely acclaimed the world over and had represented a number of international film festivals winning many international awards. They are 'Uppalawanna', 'Pawuru Walalu' (Walls Within),'Sooriya Arana' (Fire Fighters) and 'Sankara'.

A nine member Sri Lanka delegation with veteran film directors, Prof Sunil Ariyaratne, Somarathna Dissanayake, Jayantha Chandrasiri, popular film stars Jackson Anthony and Sangeetha Weerarathne and NFC Chairman Asoka Serasinghe would be attending the film festival.

"This year has been designated as the "China - Sri Lanka Friendship Year" and the Film Festival would bring opportunities to further strengthen and enhance people to people interactions between the two nations and to understand each other's culture," says Ashoka Serasinghe, the NFC Chairman.

The film corporation and the film producers of Sri Lanka are expected to discuss with their counterparts, closer co-operation efforts in the areas of joint production, exchange of technical know-how and introducing each other's films into the respective local markets, he added.

The inaugural ceremony will be held on November 21 afternoon at the Oriental Plaza film complex and a reception organised by the Chinese Film Bureau together with the Embassy of Sri Lanka will provide a platform for film artistes and professionals to interact closely in future collaborative measures. In reciprocation, the Sri Lanka Film Corporation will organize a similar festival in Sri Lanka in January next year.