Dignity and attraction of Sarasaviya Awards
There are two types of award festivals as far as the world of cinema
is concerned. One is the international award festivals and the other is
national award festivals. Many international award festivals are held in
numerous capitals of the world today. The purpose of holding such award
festivals appears to be long-term development of tourism.
National film award festivals, on the other hand, concentrate on the
film industry of a particular country. Even these award festivals can be
classified into two classes. One type of film award festivals are
concerned with the artistic norms of cinema and its use as a medium.
Other award festivals are more concerned with the star quality in
cinema. Examples are the world's most popular Academy Awards and
Filmfare Award festivals.
Although the Sarasaviya Film Festival was originally modelled on the
Filmfare Award Festival, it soon developed itself into an independent
festival. This was done combining the star and critical qualities.
The star quality emerged with the popular award decided by readers'
votes. The critical quality is evident in the awards selected by an
independent panel of judges. This is the distinguishing quality of the
Sarasaviya Film Awards Festival.
The first Sarasaviya Film Festival was held at the Asoka Cinema hall
in 1964.
Although it was not the first film festival held in Sri Lanka, it
gained popularity from the very beginning. Sarasaviya was launched at a
time Sri Lankan films were finding ways and means of getting rid of the
Indian influence pervading the local cinema industry. Sarasaviya also
paved the way for a new trend in cinema.
Sarasaviya Film Festival began in 1964 nine years after the screening
of Rekhava, Gam Peraliya screened in 1963 came as a tribute to
cinema-goers' intelligence. The films that followed Ranmuthu Duwa,
Sandeshaya, Kurulu Bedda and Sikuru Tharuwa did not insult the film-goer's
intelligence.
When Gamperaliya was given the Sarasaviya Film Award for the Best
Film, even traditional critics were taken by surprise. Meanwhile,
Gamperaliya bagged the Rana Mayura Award at the International Film
Awards Festival held in New Delhi, India, elevating the Sinhala cinema
industry to international standards.
Since then, Sarasaviya Film Festival was held on a regular basis
except for a few years due to unforeseen circumstances. The absence of
the Sarasaviya Film Awards Festival even for a few years was immediately
felt by film artists.
They missed the chance of gauging the artistic quality and commercial
viability of Sinhala films which were periodically assessed by eminent
film critics.
In fact, Sarasaviya Film Festival has the unenviable task of writing
the history of the Sinhala cinema within 40 years. In short, more than
winning an award at the Sarasaviya Film Festival, even a nomination for
an award has given an impetus to budding and veteran film artists.
Sarasaviya Film Festival has evolved over the years without
compromising its principles to new trends in the world cinema. For
instance, the most popular film was selected by readers' votes at the
beginning.
However, today it is done by taking into consideration the number of
spectators who saw the film during a particular year. Instead of sending
coupons cut out of the Sarasaviya, readers can send SMS to select their
favourite actors and actresses.
Meanwhile, veteran film artists are recognised by giving them the
Ranathisara Award, Ranapala Bodhinagoda Memorial Award is given to
deserving cinema critics. Vishva Prasadini Award is given to local film
artists who gain international fame.
Instead of just receiving an award, film artists are now entitled to
cash awards. At the beginning awardees were informed in advance about
the awards they were getting. However, today even the staff members of
the Sarasaviya editorial do not know who the awardees are until the
award festival. The awardees selected by an independent jury will be
revealed only at the awards night. Undoubtedly, Sarasaviya Film Festival
is the most popular award ceremony in Sri Lanka. It is no longer
confined to the Sarasaviya or to the Lake House. Today Sarasaviya and
Lake House are the organisers of the festival. Sarasaviya Film Festival
is the national festival of local cinema. It has attracted the attention
of all film artists and people belonging to many walks of life.
More than winning an award, getting an invitation to see the
Sarasaviya Film Festival has become a matter of prestige. Many media
organisations are keen to record what is happening at the awards night.
Their interest remains unchanged from the beginning to the end of the
festival and sometimes even after the ceremony. When prophets of doom
predict the downfall of local cinema, Sarasaviya Film Festival provides
the much needed encouragement to the film industry.
Sarasaviya Award winners have gained international fame.
The organisers of the festival have accepted the challenge of
bringing international recognition to the Sarasaviya Film Festival in
the near future. |
