In 2017 Sri Lankan Cinemacelebrated its 70th Anniversary, and in the backdrop of this historical milestone, the 40th Moscow International Film Festival is being held from April 19 – 26, focusing on Sri Lankan Cinema.
This decision was taken at a discussion held between Ashley Ratnavibhushana, President, Asian Film Centre and Prof Kirill Razlogov, Director, Moscow International Film Festival, at Pacific Meridian Vladivostok International Film Festival in Vladivostok, Russia, last September. Ashley was the Chairperson of the Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema Jury, (NETPAC) at the Pacific Meridian Film Festival. Prof Kirill Razlogov, is also a member of NETPAC. Among several nominations from Sri Lanka, the Moscow Film Festival has selected five films made during 2016 – 2018, to include in this package. They are namely, “Vaishnavee” (The Tree Goddess) by Sumitra Peries , “EgeAsa Aga” (Let Her Cry) by Asoka Handagama, “Eka Davasaka Api” (One Day We Will) by Anurudda Jayasinghe, “Guru Geethaya” (The First Teacher) by Upali Gamlath and “Bahuchithawadiya” (The Undecided) by Malaka Devapriya.“Bahuchitwadiya” has won the Award for the Best Film under the category Cinema of Tomorrow at the Derana Film Awards 2017. “EgeAsa Aga” was screened at the competition section of Black Nights Film Festival, Estonia. It has won the Best Director and Best Film Awards at the SAARC Film Festival 2017 and won several National Film Awards at Derana and SIGNIS Film Award ceremonies.
Asian Film Centre has submitted “Vaishnavee” for the Kolkata International Film Festival which had its World Premiere, and to International Film Festival of Kerala in 2017. Sumitra Peries and Yashoda Wimaladharma participated at the Kolkata Film Festival and producer Mano Nanayakkara participated at Kerala International Film Festival. The Asian Film Centre also submitted “Guru Geethaya” to Eurasia International Film Festival in Kazakhstan in 2016 , where Upali Gamlath participated.
Executive Director and Jury Coordinator of the NETPAC Ashley Ratnavibhushana has appointed Asoka Handagama as Chairperson of the NETPAC Jury at Moscow International Film Festival. Upali Gamlath and Malaka Devapriya will participate as delegates.