Mount Studio Analogue Film Lab marks first anniversary with exciting line-up

Thursday, 13 August 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Mount Studio Analogue Film Lab is celebrating its first anniversary with an exciting line up of events in August.

Founding Director Lojithan Ram said over the past year, the lab has grown into a space for analogue photography, learning, experimentation, and exchange. To mark this first anniversary, we are organising a month of film screenings, exhibitions, workshops, photo walks, and conversations.

All events are free entry and walk-in, except for the two workshops, which require prior registration.

In Search of Nihal Fernando — Film Screening and Discussion: 16 August | 5:30 p.m.

One of the highlights of the programme is a screening of In Search of Nihal Fernando, a documentary by Martin Pieris exploring the life, photography, and conservation work of the late Nihal Fernando.

We are organising the screening on 16 August as part of our observance of World Photography Day 2026, and as an opportunity to honour Nihal Fernando and his enduring contribution to photography in Sri Lanka.

The screening will be followed by a discussion moderated by Tashiya de Mel, photographer, environmental advocate, and communications specialist. We will be joined by Anu Weerasuriya, daughter of Nihal Fernando and Managing Director of Studio Times Ltd., who will share her perspective on Nihal’s life, work, and legacy.

I particularly hope many of you working with photography, archives, museums, galleries, collecting, and visual culture will be able to join us for this evening.

Thirumeni — Exhibition: 28–31 August

The other major event of the month is Thirumeni, the second exhibition at Mount Studio and my first curatorial project at the studio.

The exhibition presents the work of Ajithaman, an emerging artist and student from the Sri Ponnampalam Ramanathan Faculty of Visual and Performing Arts, University of Jaffna, in his debut exhibition.

The photographs are accompanied by a musical response from Dinelka Lyanage, creating a dialogue between photography and sound. The exhibition is therefore a collaboration between Ajithaman and Dinelka Lyanage, curated by me.

There will also be a number of other activities throughout the month, including:

14 August — Analogue Film Photography and Film Developing Workshop for Students(Exclusive collaboration with VAFA,Colombo University)
16 August — In Search of Nihal Fernando — Film Screening and Discussion
17 August — Mount Studio Open Studio
26 August — Analogue Film Lab Workshop for the Public (Registration required)
28–31 August — Thirumeni — Photography and Sound Exhibition
30 August — Photo Walk with Lojithan Ram