• Hyderabad hosts Indian Film Festival '99
• NFC to carry on loan facility

Hyderabad hosts Indian Film Festival '99

Over ten thousand delegates are expected to participate at the 30th International Film Festival of India '99 which opens today (January 10) at Hyderabad. A large number of film stars are listed among the special invitees,according to the Directorate of Film Festivals of India,sources said.

More attention is focussed on IFFI '99 as this would be the last major film festival for this century in the largest feature film producing country in the world.

Bollywood's evergreen director producer actor Dev Anand will inaugurate the festival at Necklace Road Garden festival venue.

National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka will be represented by its General Manager Gamini Weragama, Director Vasantha Obeysekera and Ivan Weerakkody. Film producer - actor Sanath Gunatileka, Asian Film Centre Secretary Ashley Ratnavibhushana are also scheduled to attend. More than 200 feature films are listed to be screened in the Panorama section.

The NFC delegation will pay more attention in selecting suitable artistic feature films to be screened in Sri Lanka as filmmakers from most film producing countries will be attending IFFI'99 with their best films,NFC sources said.

The concluding ceremony will be held on January 20.

NFC to carry on loan facility

By Kumaradasa Wagista.

National Film Corporation (NFC) will continue giving loans to deserving film directors to produce local films.However the past records of the director will be taken into consideration when loans are granted, NFC sources said.This facility will be given only to scripts approved and appraised by the NFC Evaluation Committee.

A sum of Rs 3 million will be given to each film director who qualifies for a loan.Rs1.5 million to be given at production stage and Rs 1.5 million for release and publicity.The money will be given by monitoring the progress of work in four stages.Funds will be provided both from the NFC Development Fund and People's Bank on the recommendation of the Film Corporation. Also a loan of Rs 1.5 million will be given for films already certificated by Public Performances Board (PPB) for their release, provided the lending Bank and NFC are satisfied the film possesses either commercial or artistic values,NFC sources said.

Film directors whose films have been released in the fifth circuit will get preference.

This facility has already been enjoyed by four film directors when loans were granted earlier.

Acting Chairman Professor Somaratna Balasuriya has allowed the loan scheme to continue with the purpose of promoting good cinema in the country.Film directors Vasantha Obeysekere (Tirtha Yatra), Cinematographer -film director K.A.Wijeratna (Kumari Bambasara),writer director Mohan Niyaz and editor -director Boodi Keerthisena are the four film directors who have received this loan facility. These films have either been made or is nearing completion."We are anticipating more scripts during 1999 as there are a good number of young graduates who are gifted with creative ideas"NFC sources said.

NFC will continue to educate film goers'by conducting film appreciation courses,holding seminars, and lectures by film scholars and screening artistic films from foreign countries.

'Possessed' directed by internationally recognised film maker Andrzej Wajda which is being screened at the Liberty Cinema is one of the films imported by NFC. It is based on the novel written by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky.It has English subtitles.

Another film that will be screened shortly is 'Train To Pakistan' directed by Pamela Rooks. Its story is based on the partitioning of India a subject many Indian film makers have been fond of. 'Train to Pakistan 'is scheduled to be released at the Majestic Cinema on January 22,NFC sources said.

The State Film Festival will be held this year also where awards and cash prizes will be presented to encourage filmmakers and film artistes.

Producer actress Nita Fernando's maiden venture directed by Prasanna Vithanage 'Pauru Walalu' (Walls Within) will be released on January 15,NFC sources confirmed.

This film which won international awards including the best actress award for Nita Fernando at last year's Singapore International Film Festival,will be released in the Fifth Circuit cinema halls.

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