SAARC Film Day “VISHKA”

Introduction

SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC) as the custodian of the movies submitted to the SAARC Film Festival initiated this to provide a glimpse of SAARC countries through the medium of movies and promote South Asian visual arts in Sri Lanka. During the second quarter of 2024, it was decided to screen the movie “Vishka” directed by Ravee Farooq of Maldives. This movie was first screened in 2017. This movie was selected to portray the psychological war of the good and evil associated with the human. A large number of Maldivian communities in Sri Lanka as well as the locals were participated at this event.

Inauguration

The Film Day was inaugurated with Ms. Haleemath Sizna, Minister Counsellor, High Commission of the Republic of Maldives in Sri Lanka as a Chief Guest at this event. Ms. Renuka Ekanayake, Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre made the welcome address and presented the chief guest Mrs. Haleemath Sizna with a token of appreciation.

The eminent guest was received as follows;

Mr. Ali Seezan, Director, Maldives Education and Cultural Centre, Prof. Ankuran Dutta, Director, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka representing Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Dr. B.M. Goodarzi, Director, Iran Cultural Centre, Prof. Kamal Waleboda, Chairman, National Committee of Intangible Heritage, Ms. Diana Perera, Assistant Director, SAARC Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Diptendu Sawn, Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Adeel Sattar, Press Attaché, High Commission of Pakistan were joined the ceremonial inauguration of the event. The other eminent guests and Maldivian communities in Sri Lanka who graced this occasion.

Mr. Ali Seezan, Director of Maldives Education and Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka introduced the movie “Vishka” to the audience and Ms. Oneli of the SCC acted as the compere of this event. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Bindu Urugodawatte, Deputy Director Programme of the SCC.

Outputs

The film was appreciated by the audience and the following are based on the opinions of the

Participants;

• The similarities and differences of the culture of film.

• Appreciated the technology and methodologies of the film industry of the region.

• SAARC Films to acquire the status of media hub promoting the visual arts of the Region.

• Supports to make SAARC an insightful cinematographic landscape of diverse heritage.