Celebrating Vesak with Cinema

By Susitha R. Fernando, The Sunday Times, Feb 8, 2009

Colombo, Sri Lanka -- First ever Buddhist film festival will be opened with Vesak celebration 2009 together with film screenings, book fairs, art exhibitions, beautiful decorations like pandals and food festivals from May 9 to 16, 2009 at BMICH premises.

With the aim of disseminating Buddhism using audio visual media, this colourful international event is organised by Light of Asia Foundation.

The Festival will consist of a Short Film Competition, Feature Film Exhibition and Workshops with objective to encourage film makers globally to make films on Buddhist themes, as well as to enlighten viewers on the depth of Buddhism.

“This attempt is only a preparation for the Vesak 2011 which we are planning to make the most internationally attractive event in Sri Lanka. It will be like going to London for Christmas,” said the man behind the organising the event, Navin Gooneratne.

The year 2011 is also important as we are planning to release a major film on the life of the Lord Buddha of which the script is already completed and scheduled to be directed by world renowned Indian filmmaker, Shyam Benegal ...

... continue click www.buddhistchannel.tv