9th SAARC Film Festival 2019

• Explore the best of  regional cinema from 2 to 7 July at the  National Film  Corporation Cinema Hall – free entry

By Aysha Maryam Cassim

SAARC Film Festival has a long tradition of connecting cultures across South Asia through the language of cinematic storytelling. The SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka is hosting the SAARC Film Festival for the ninth consecutive year in 2019 as part of its efforts to promote regional unity. 

As a festival that embodies the spirit and solidarity of South Asia, SAARC Film Festival has built a reputation among the film fraternity for being a very important platform and focal point for the promotion, celebration and enjoyment of some of the best films from the SAARC region. The SAARC member countries – Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Maldives are coming together this year to represent the respective work of their countries through the lens of talented filmmakers. It is expected that the film festival will contribute towards preservation, conservation and protection of South Asia’s heritage through the medium of cinema. 

“The SAARC film festival is one of the most important cultural events keeping in line with SAARC’s main objective of promoting cultural cooperation amongst the member states. Films can be enjoyed and appreciated by all regardless of the cultural, religious or ethnic diversities. The SAARC Cultural Centre is committed to developing the concept of ‘Unity within Diversity’ through this dynamic form of cultural exploration.” – D.K.R. Ekanayake, Director, SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka.

The opening ceremony brought together distinguished guests, veteran filmmakers and cinephiles at the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka on 2 July to celebrate cultural discovery, artistic growth and opportunity. Continuing the tradition of bringing wider recognition to South Asian films, this year’s film festival will showcase a variety of feature films, short films and master films representing some of the greatest work in the region. A reputed panel of international judges will select the best films and recognise the individuals who are at the very core of this creativity as a form of encouragement and respect to continue producing quality, thought-provoking and representational films for the region.

In addition to the screening of films, there will also be a workshop with international experts on 5 July, which will serve as a platform to share experiences and knowledge and initiate a meaningful discussion on the challenges facing the film industry. 

Cinema connects cultures beyond frontiers by building a much more constructive and creative dialogue between people. The SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka invites you to enjoy everything from creative films and shorts to insightful discussions led by filmmakers from South Asia that will leave you enraptured, engaged and inspired. Be there at National Film Corporation Cinema Hall this weekend to witness the work of burgeoning filmmakers of South Asia and experience meetings with film professionals and like-minded cinephiles.

For more information on the screening schedule and Master Class, please visit the official website: www.saarcculture.org.