TV Times

TV Times

New look for NFC building
By Susitha R. Fernando
The refurbished and renovated National Film Corporation (NFC) building with a number of new features and facilities for the films artistes at No. 224, Bullers Road was opened last week.

The Minister of Cultural Affairs opened the building which two years ago was to be rented out to open a restaurant but failed following the objection by those who loved art and cinema.

The building and the two acre land at 224 Bullers Road was bought for just Rs. 175,000 in 1972 by the first NFC Chief Executive Officer Dr. D. B. Nihalsinghe.
Among the new features added to the once dilapidated building is a library for the film artistes and a meeting room for those who are involved in cinema.
Addressing the gathering NFC chairman Sunil S. Sirisena said that this valuable building with its spacious land was to be rented out but they were able to prevent and preserve it. "We must thank those who took the initiative three decades ago to acquire this valuable property to the NFC including former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and also the former Chief Executive Mr. Nihalsinghe". At the heart of the city in Bullers Road a complete building with more than two acres of land is an invaluable treasure which would now cost millions.

At last weeks' ceremony two further important events took place. One was awarding of insurance policies to cinema artistes and handing over the appointment of Justices of Peace (JP). Film technicians as well as film stars were among those who received insurance and appointments as JPs.
Briefing about the NFC activities over the last two years the Chairman described that the NFC was able to start a Tamil cinema publication giving new life to the Tamil cinema which was destroyed in 1983. This magazine is now being circulated even in Jaffna, Mr. Sirisena said.

The chairman also said that the year 2005 was a remarkable year for the NFC as well as Sri Lankan cinema as international recognition was brought to the country by a number of filmmakers including Vimukthi Jayasundara, Bennet Ratnayake and Somaratne Dissanayake. "With strict regulations being imposed on imported underrated trashy films, we were able to give priority to local films and thereby encourage filmmakers to make more local films. Thirty six films are to be produced next year and this is a 10 % increase in local filmmaking in Sri Lanka," Mr. Sirisena said.

Speaking about the future plans NFC chairman said that the Sarasavoya Studio which has come under heavy criticism by artistes for its lack of facilities and poor technical facilities is to be modernised and upgraded for a quality post production work of a film.

Among other projects by the NFC he said screening of a short film festival was arranged in Australia to introduce new filmmakers to the industry. The festival includes works of ten young filmmakers.

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