This year, there was over 10,000 professionals including 3200 producers taking part the in Cannes event.
This initiative to represent Sri Lanka at the International Film Market, organized with the patronage of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, was a public-private partnership involving the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris, the Sri Lanka Film Cooperation, and six companies in the industry.
The Sri Lanka Pavilion designed as a platform for stakeholders to market the country saw a lot of interesting activity, with packed attendance for the interactive sessions.
Ambassador Tilak Ranaviraja and the Trade Counselor Alexi Gunasekera accompanied the Deputy Minister to the Sri Lanka Pavilion, where the renowned industry personnel and other stakeholders were also present.
During the 10 days, the Cannes Film Festival offered a unique opportunity to engage proactively with representatives of other countries, institutions, professional organization and producers. The pavilions, while showcasing the rich diversity of countries, made space for official engagements, media events and signing of agreements and treaties.
The exclusive networking receptions organized at the Sri Lanka pavilion attracting many producers, directors and other related professionals from many countries such as USA, Israel Japan Hong-Kong Italy, France and the UK was outstanding. It is aimed at promoting and forging ties for co-production and partnerships between Sri Lanka and these countries.
Business meetings also took place between the Sri Lanka delegates and international stakeholders to facilitate business promotion and explore opportunities for partnership.
The foundation was also laid to sign a co-production agreement with the French National Film Co- operation during a meeting held with the French Film authority.
At the meeting Dr. Harsha de Silva pointed out the available opportunities for the filmmakers of both states to produce films under bilateral co-production agreements. Bringing different nationalities together, this agreement would also “forge new markets and wider audiences”, the Deputy Minister added.
The agreement that is intended to be signed at the 70th edition of Cannes will further support archiving of Sri Lanka films and digitalization of the Sri Lanka cinema.
A second Agreement that has been discussed and will be signed with the organizers of the Cannes film festival and the National Film Cooperation of Sri Lanka will allow networking opportunities with international producers and conducting of training sessions for Sri Lanka film makers to develop cinematographic skills. French Film Producer Philippe Avril, General Manager of Les Filmes de l’étranger, also signed an MOU with Film Island/Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Tilak Ranaviraja speaking at the inauguration of the networking session pointed out that the medium of film provided a great platform to showcase the culture and diversity of a country.
P.M. Deepal Chandraratne, Chairman, National Film Corporation, M.L. Subasinghe, Working Director of the National Film Corporation, Dushan Wickramasuriya, Director Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Ms. Ganista Rasanayagam, Commercial Secretary of the Embassy of Sri Lanka represented at the Sri Lanka Pavilion in this maiden venture.
Private sector representatives included Gopi Dharmarathnam, Mrs. Nihara Ratnam, Priyanga Kumarasiri, Nishantha Padmakumara Udaya Dharmawardana Mrs. Iranthi Abeyasinghe, and Priyath Salgado.
