Colombo, Sep. 28 (Daily Mirror) - Lalith Rathnayake’s ‘Riverstone’ has been selected as Sri Lanka’s official entry in the International Feature Film category of the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars).
According to National Film Corporation Chairman Sudath Mahaadivulwewa, who also chairs Sri Lanka’s National Oscar Selection Committee, the film was selected through a newly regulated process introduced in line with the requirements of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
He said the process included approval by the local selection committee and consideration of the professional qualifications of its members.
“This is the first time a film selected through such a mechanism will represent Sri Lanka,” Mahaadivulwewa said.
The National Oscar Selection Committee included veteran filmmakers and industry professionals Asoka Handagama, Ravindra Guruge, Anoma Rajakaruna, Visakesa Chandrasekaram, film critic Aruna Gunarathne, musician Lakshman Joseph De Saram and film festival coordinator Uditha Lakmal Kahandawaarachchi.
A total of six films were considered for the selection, including five Sinhala-language productions and one Tamil-language film.
The films submitted for consideration were ‘Vihanga Premaya’ (Peacock Lament), produced and directed by Sanjeeva Pushpakumara; ‘Ayu’, directed by Chathra Weeraman and produced by Yasas Rathnayake; ‘Father’, produced by Shantha Geethadeva and directed by Chaminda Jayasuriya; ‘Anthony’, produced by Ramandas Suganthini and Ramandas Sathyaraja and directed by Sukirthan Christhuraja and Jenosan Rajeswar; ‘Riverstone’, produced by Prabath Roshan and Nimanthi Porage and directed by Lalith Rathnayake; and ‘Cricket Sadu’, directed by Dilshara Jayamanna and produced by Rasitha Jinasena.
The committee said four of the six films met the eligibility criteria stipulated under the Academy’s rules.
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