Ceylon Film Festival Founder Honored on Opening Night in Goleta
GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – The 4th annual Ceylon International Film Festival kicked off on Monday.
Screenings are taking place at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. through Friday at Direct Relief's Hatch Hall.
The Sri Lanka America Association honored film festival founder Aruni Boteju on Opening Night.
She said she didn't expect to be honored.
"I really appreciated the appreciation of what we are doing here."
She calls it's a celebration of film, culture and community, including the immigrant community that helped the film industry get started in Santa Barbara.
She said the filmmakers are bringing their stories to life.
"I am very honored to be a part of this community and to have our Ceylon International Film Festival. The whole goal is connecting two Paradises. One Paradise from the Pacific Ocean to the other Paradise from the Indian Ocean," said Boteju.
She wants to bring awareness and bring the work of independent filmmakers to an international platform.
People from more than 45 countries participated by submitting more than 200 films.
"It was pretty hard for us to select those movies, but we managed to screen close to 30 movies this year."
She wants to invite everyone to come a be apart of the film festival and see the work of these talented people.
"As an immigrant from Sri Lanka I am very proud to be here and be apart of this great community."
She said the community of Santa Barbara is linked to the beginning of film making dating back to 1910.
There is also a photography show featuring the work of Andy Samarasena who works at Community West Bank.
The festival also serves as a fundraiser to help nonprofits helping children in Sri Lanka.
The award winning film "Tsunami" is screening on closing night Friday.
For more information visit http://ceyiff.com
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