The Kandy International Film Festival to create a new platform for cinema

By Roshenka de Mel

The Kandy International Film Festival (KIFF) will commence in Kandy on 22 June  and is a five-day long celebration of global and regional cinema with commercial and independent films being showcased from USA, England, Singapore, India, Canada, Poland,  Sri Lanka, France and other locations across the globe.

KIFF will have a line-up of 25 documentaries, short films and feature films selected for the festival, of which four are from Sri Lanka. Feature films in the festival program include Fleurs Du Mal (Flowers of Evil by Director David Dusa), I Am by Director Onir, Meherjaan by Director Rubaiyyat Hossain Memories of A Burning Tree by Director Sherman Ong, Mundane History by Director Anocha Suwichakornpong and Virgin Goat by Director Murali Nair. Documentaries in the program include The City Dark by Ian Cheney, Koran by Heart by Greg Barker Marathon Boy by Gemma Atwal, Fambul Tok by Sara Terry, Tropical Amsterdam by Alexa Oona Schulz and Gandhis Children by Vishnu Vasu. Sri Lankan film Nino Live by Director Thisara Imbulana will make its world premier in Kandy alongside other local pieces such as Between Two Worlds by Director Vimuthi Jayasundara.

The festival strives to highlight local talent, diverse styles, film techniques and relatable themes whilst simultaneously creating a platform for local filmmakers to present and be awarded for their work.

The overall aim of the festival is to merit films that would otherwise be overlooked and provide them with a global audience whilst generating a dialogue between Sri Lanka’s film-going community. Furthermore, the festival will bring together well-established as well as upcoming filmmakers, celebrities and members of the local community allowing for the exchange of ideas and feedback from a diverse group of people.

“This is a rare opportunity for Sri Lankans to view and discuss the newest foreign films on the international festival circuit,” said Samuel Holt, KIFF director and co-founder. “Six of the international film directors will be attending the festival, and will be present in talks following the screenings as well as panel discussions during our festival days. We are thrilled to be able to facilitate this exchange between filmmakers from across the world and the public in Kandy.”

Festival tickets are currently available at the British Council and at the Kandy City Centre for Rs. 200. The festival is designed to generate an interest and passion for the art of film-making that will create a supportive environment to further stimulate and encourage Sri Lanka’s artistic film community.