INTERNATIONAL SAMBUDDHATTVA JAYANTHI FILM FESTIVAL IN 2011
Exactly one year after the VESAK season in 2010, one of most momentous events in the spiritual history of mankind will dawn. Year 2011, marks the 2600th year of the attainment of Supreme Enlightenment by Ascetic Siddhartha. This state of unparalleled Enlightenment occurred within the being of Ascetic Siddhartha.
Nowhere in the history of human religious systems or in the philosophic annals of mankind, do we find the celebration of a moment of total spiritual awakening.
This way the celebrations planned for 2011 are unique and unparalleled. The celebrations are being organized by Light of Asia Foundation in association with the National Film Corporation and the BMICH. His Excellency the President is the Honorary Patron of Vesak 2010 Buddhist Film Festival. Hon. Chamal Rajapakse is the Chairman and Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is the coordinating Minister.
This year, during the Vesak season, the celebrations will have as their highlights, an exhibition of Local and International Films at the BMICH from 28–31 May 2010.
VESAK 2009 FESTIVAL
More than 140 Local Short-Film entries were received along with about 80 International Short-Films. There were about 25 International Feature Film entries, from a range of countries including US, Canada, UK, India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea and Japan.
The celebrations were held at the BMICH premises. Jumbo screens set up in the spacious grounds of the BMICH, displayed local and foreign films to the visitors as a “Cinema Dansala”. Film Artists and several groups sang Devotional songs. Digital pandals created by a Buddhist monk, were a novel feature in Vesak decorations in Sri Lanka. Photographs and Paintings on Buddhist themes were exhibited.
A group of South Korean Devotees including both clergy and lay people participated in the Festivals.
COMPETITIONS
To encourage creativity among young people, Short-Films generated through mobile phones and e-Vesak cards were patronized.
A highly satisfactory outcome of this International Film Festival was the three day seminar held at BMICH. Both local and foreign resource persons shared their expertise.
Delegates from Japan and Malaysia were among those persons at the Award Presentation Ceremony. The Minister of Cultural Affairs and the Ambassador of Japan were the Guests of Honour.
As a wholesome spin-off of the activities of Vesak 2009, the organizers have been able to bring together a large group of short-film makers and formed the Light of Asia Film Circle. This is the first time that such a grouping has been organized for short film makers of Sri Lanka.
The primary focus of this festival is the “International Film Festival”. Entries have already begun to flow in from Sri Lanka and abroad. Eventually an authoritative Board of Judges will view these entries.
The end-aim of the organization is to make Sri Lanka the capital of Buddhist films.
Locations for this mega Cinematic work on the life of Siddhartha Gautama have been explored in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Thailand.
By: Kalakeerthi Rohana Pradeepa Edwin Ariyadasa
http://www.buddhisttimes.net/2010/02/01/international-sambuddhattva-jayanthi-film-festival-in-2011/