The International Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Buddhist Film Festival celebrated the 2600th anniversary of the Enlightenment of Ascetic Siddhartha with a series of special events.
The primary focus was on the international Film Festival, which was held from the 18th of May 2011 to the 22nd of May 2011.This was the continuation of the series that began during the Vesak season in 2009.As the Film Festival held in May 2011, there were 98 foreign Participants. Local participants numbed in 121.Their entries were judged under several categories: Short Films, Feature Films etc, the winners at this Film Festival will receive their awards at a special ceremony. Details of this Film award ceremony will be informed to relevant persons in Time.
Such outstanding photographic artists as P.U.D. perera displayed their work at the photographic exhibition.The drama event was enriched by several impressive works on Buddhist themes, most important of this drama series was the ballet “Nirvana” from India. This narrated in an absorbing dramatic idiom, the life of Gautama Buddha. There were entries from Nepal as well, the group from People’s Bank presented devotional songs (Bhakthii Gee)
India ,Myanmar ,Pakistan participated in the Exhibition of Buddhist Monuments and Artifacts . Soka Gakkai Branch of Sri Lankan held an exhibition on the central theme of Lotus Sutra.
An innovative item this year was the pageant “Sambudu Perahara” in this decorated flat-bed trucks, traveled through the city of Colombo. Each truck had a dramatic item, depicting an event in the life of the Buddha. Foreign participants viewed this pageant along with the locals.
The model Palace of Kapilawastu which was constructed at Manel watta Kelaniya, received the admiration of visitors, both local and foreign.
Those foreign film makers, who will want to participate in the Film festival in may 2012, will have an astonishing surprise waiting them, those foreign participants will be taken along on a comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka.It has been estimated that the Tour is worth about Rs 1 Million. For further details please enquire the festival organization .The international Film Festival will be profusely enriched by the experience of the previous years.
