Sri Lanka Tourism and the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka will be presenting the second Galle Film Festival from December 2-6, 2009 in the historic coastal town of Galle. The festival will open with Sri Lankan director Vimukthi Jayasundera’s “Ahasin Wetei,” which was in competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival.
In addition to promoting tourism and film opportunities in the country, the festival’s main focus will be on Sri Lankan and south Asian cinema with participating films including, among others, India’s “Firaaq” from actress and director Nandita Das.
As part of its schedule of fundraisers, event galas, and workshops, the festival will include “Shooting for Change,” which will showcase documentaries designed to inspire social change.
Also featured will be eight short films produced in August during a 10-day film camp for children, hosted by the US Embassy in Sri Lanka and run by American acting coach Constance Tillotsonm with Sri Lankan directors Anoma Rajakaruna and Kasinathar Gnanadas. The 40 participating children came from post-war Sri Lanka’s different ethnic backgrounds.
