By Venessa Anthony
The Future Lanka Research and Development Foundation, Sri Lanka’s professional guidance and student development institute, collaborated with filmmaker Chandran Rutnam to put together an interschool short film festival.
The Future Lanka Research and Development Foundation works towards the objective of developing the creativity and soft skills of school students, and the film festival aims to give youth a platform to showcase their acting skills.
The inauguration of the Chandran Rutnam Short Film Competition was held on 8 September at the National Film Corporation’s Tharangani Theatre in Colombo 7, and saw the participation of more than 300 students, teachers, principals, educators, and celebrities from the film industry, led by Chandran Rutnam. The event featured more than 200 short films representing over 100 schools that will be participating in the competition, which is sponsored by Trico Maritime.
Addressing the audience, filmmaker Chandran Rutnam said he was thrilled with the competition, as it would expose the youth to the film industry and the many departments that comprise it. He explained that working in the industry goes beyond being a director, actor, or actress, adding: “Why don’t we expose our youth to this vast industry that has so many jobs to offer?”
Rutnam highlighted the need to change people’s mindset about the film industry, saying that unfortunately many think of it in a frivolous manner.
“They think it’s a joke. It’s not a joke,” he said, further commenting: “Please remember that we have to treat this industry with respect, and there are many jobs within the film industry that we should encourage or give the opportunity to our young people to maybe decide on.” Rutnam added that he wishes to share the knowledge he has gained during his career, as it would be “fatal” to not share this with the youth and the country.
The filmmaker also emphasised that films cannot be made by any one person alone, as they require a collective effort.
“I have never made a film alone. If you have appreciated my films, the beauty of my films comes from the fact that I have chosen talented people – talented cameramen and talented art directors. Without them, you cannot make a film. There is no ‘me’.”
In conversation with Future Lanka Research and Development Foundation Director Dian Baduge, The Morning Brunch learned that at the end of all this, the aim is to endow the country with a new group of international-level filmmakers. When asked why they chose Chandran Rutnam to collaborate with for this project, Baduge noted that Rutnam is a veteran in the film industry and has taken local cinema to international stages many times.
“He is renowned in the industry and it is because of him that the film industry still continues to thrive. We believe his expertise will be beneficial for this programme as well as for the kids that want to pursue a career in film.”
Baduge also noted: “Throughout this competition, we will be able to identify the children’s ability, help them develop it, and then aim to allow their ability to flourish in a systematic way through international-level experts.”
When asked how they hope to achieve this, he explained that they are currently working to give these children an international-level experience. He further explained that any school student who is interested in this competition has been given the opportunity to participate in any of the three languages – Sinhala, Tamil, or English.
With this competition, Baduge hopes to empower youth and help them hone their creative skills, as well as provide them with a platform to showcase their work.
“In this economy, we need to help the youth do what they love and give them a platform locally, so they can take our name internationally and help us get out of the situation we are currently in,” he noted, adding that he hopes this competition will be just what kids need to give them a burst of motivation.