SAARC Film Festival:

A cultural cornucopia

by Anuradha Kodagoda

The SAARC Film Festival, a unique experience in cultural diversity, will be held at National Film Corporation at 3.30pm and 6.30pm from May 26 to 31. 

The Festival, being held for the fourth consecutive year in Colombo, is organised by the SAARC Cultural Centre, with the intention of promoting culture in the region through films, one of the most powerful art form in today’s world.

According to the organisers, the SAARC Film Festival is different from other film festivals in the country, in that SAARC member states nominate some of their best films that showcase the diverse culture of the SAARC member countries. They also point out that a reputed panel of adjudicators selects the best films and awards are given as incentive to continue producing good films for the region.

This year, the SAARC Film Festival will mainly focus on feature as well as short films from all member states. The total film package of 18 features and short films include two feature and two short films from India, two short films from Bhutan, two feature films from Maldives, one feature film from Pakistan, two features and two short films from Sri Lanka, two features and one short film from Bangladesh, one feature film from Nepal and one feature film from Afghanistan.

The SAARC Film Festival is a platform for exchange of ideas and sharing of view among film directors from the region. Most of the filmmakers also take part in the festival and share their knowledge and experience with the audience and with other filmmakers of the region.

For the past three years, the SAARC Film festival in Colombo, has set up a unique standard in the film festivals of the region, where it became a forum of people to people interaction, as well as for understanding and savoring of culture through the medium of cinema, where the films from different SAARC Countries are not merely a tool of entertainment, but one of cultural awareness.