'12th Mumbai International Film Festival- India '

Film Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India is organising the 12th Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films (MIFF - 2012) between February 3to 9, 2012 at National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, India.

The competitive festival has an edge over other festivals as it gives away the maximum monetary awards of total approx. US $ 1,42,600 and mementos such as Golden and Silver Conches for outstanding films in various categories in Competition Sections.

MIFF began its historic journey in 1990 and since then it has grown in size and stature as one of the premier international events of documentary film movement. The past editions have been over whelming successes and now MIFF is considered as one among the best organised international festivals in the world.

The film makers, producers, directors, organisations and institutions interested to participate may contact Indian Cultural Centre for entry form, Eligibility & regulations and awards of MIFF - 2012. The details of the festival such as entry forms, eligibility and regulations, are also available on website www.filmsdivision.org and www.miffindia.in. The cut-off dates for receipt of the entry forms and selected films are as follows:-

a. The last date for receipt of entry forms, entry fee and related documents / publicity material with Digi Beta (PAL only) / DVD (all code) in Mumbai, India for purpose of selection in Competition Section will be September 15.

b. The last date for receipt of selected films in Digi Beta (PAL only) will be 16/12/2011.

Indian Cultural Centre is situated at 16/2, Gregory's Road (opposite Australian High Commission), Colombo 7.

For further details please contact the Indian Cultural Centre on telephone no: 2684698 or Email: iccrcolombo @gmail.com.

'Korale Mahattaya' on 'Celeb Chat'

'Korale Mahattaya' plays his alter ego 'Wijeratne Warakagoda ' on Prime TV's 'Celeb Chat' at 09.00 pm on August 15 on CSN.

From the days of radio and stage ... over the years to cinema and television, Wijeratne Warakagoda has been a household name for decades.

Listen to him relate stories of his early days in the Police Department, his entry into the performing arts and of course 'Korale Mahattaya' of 'Muwan Pelessa' fame, the lovable character which has now become his alternate persona.

The programm will be repeated on Tuesday August 16 at 8.00 a.m.

Celeb Chat is on CSN on UHF 22, Channel 75 on Dialog TV and also on PEO TV.

The Child

The Child, a Film directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (2005) with French /English subtitles will be shown at Alliance Françoise de Kandy on Saturday August 20 at 3.30 pm

Bruno, 20, and Sonia, 18, are surviving on her welfare checks and Bruno's petty crimes when Sonia becomes pregnant.

Bruno sells their baby to a black market adoption ring to make some quick cash. Faced with Sonia's shock, he regrets his mistake and buys the child back at a premium -- but, after being turned away by Sonia, his mounting debts and desperation lead Bruno down a quick path to prison.

L'Enfant succeeds not because it illuminates anything about a black market for children (the characters motivations are entirely personal, not social), but in the way a finely detailed character study pays off in its final redemptive moments... It won the Palme d'Or at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

'Markings'

Markings, an exhibition of paintings by S.M.J Samarathnga will be held at Alliance française Gallery, , Kandy from Agust 19-29 .

S.M.J. Samarathunga is an art teacher presently working at Galagedara Central College. He has been trained at Giragama Aesthetic Teacher's Training College and, on drawing and painting at Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts. Further he has studied fabric painting and pottery painting at the Kandy branch of the National Design Center.

He has undergone training on Jewellery designing conducted by the Gem and Jewellery Authority.

He has been trained at "SCALA", the Institute of International Artists, in Larnaca (Cyprus). He received training on fruit, vegetable, butter and ice carving from Asia Hotel School.

As he is very much concerned about nature, he was able to bring forward an eco-friendly method of art, called "Burning Art". Actually it is a prevailing method which is confined to wood, but he was able to do it on paper. With this method, it is possible not only to do paintings but also greeting cards. His aim is to find new avenues to make painting a novelty.

Exhibition of portrait photography

An exhibition of portrait photography by L. H. R. Wijetunga will be held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo 7 from August 20-21. The exhibition is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Melody and Rhythm

Melody and Rhythm, a Kathak performance by Nalini-Kamalini , Guru Jitendra Maharaj and their troupe will be held on August 15 at Bishop College's Auditorium at 6.30 p.m to mark the 65th Indian Independence Day.

Balloth Ekka Be

Balloth Ekka Be, a comedy by Ravindra Ariyarathna will be staged at Namel Malani Punchi Theatre in Borella on August 19 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m.