Ceylon International Film Festival

06/07/2026

🎬✨ Relive the Timeless Magic of Sri Lankan Cinema from the 1980s! ✨🎬

The Ceylon International Film Festival brings back the treasured memories of Sri Lankan cinema as the 5th CEYIFF Season Screenings begin this summer in Los Angeles, where world cinema takes center stage.

This season, audiences will have the opportunity to experience Nommara 17, the timeless blockbuster directed by Hemasiri Sellapperuma and produced by Preethiraj Weeraratne.

Experience the timeless blockbuster classic Nommara 17, continues to entertain audiences decades after its original release. Following its successful re-screening in Sri Lanka after 37 years, this beloved masterpiece is now coming to the United States.

Featuring the legendary stars of Sri Lankan cinema—Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sabeetha Perera, Jeewan Kumaratunga, Sanath Gunathilaka, and Freddie Silva—“Nommara 17” remains a timeless treasure and a golden chapter in Sri Lankan commercial cinema.

A major box-office success, the film ran for over 200 days in theaters and earned the prestigious Sarasaviya Award for Most Popular Film.

🌟 Relive the laughter, music, romance, and unforgettable moments that defined an era. Experience the timeless magic of Sri Lankan cinema from the 1980s and celebrate a film that continues to captivate generations. 🌟

🇺🇸 Coming this summer to Los Angeles as part of the 5th Ceylon International Film Festival Season Screenings.


Sarasaviya Cinema lk The Hollywood Reporter

05/01/2026

New dates for 5th Annaul event and stay tuned for the program list. Join us this November, 2026.

04/06/2026

We are proud to announce our partnership with Cine Gear, the world’s largest cinema gear expo, as they celebrate an incredible 30 years in 2026.

For three decades, Cine Gear has brought together the global film community—connecting filmmakers, studios, technicians, and innovators with the latest technology, equipment, and education that continue to shape the future of filmmaking. From cameras and lighting to post-production and emerging technologies, Cine Gear has been a place where creativity and innovation meet.

We are honored to be part of this inspiring community and look forward to creating meaningful opportunities together that support filmmakers, storytellers, and the next generation of creatives.

Here’s to collaboration, creativity, and celebrating 30 years of Cine Gear!

https://www.cinegearexpo.com/
The Hollywood Reporter
Dr. Kishu Gomes
Variety
Rhythm of Lanka
Jio
Cinema lk
City of Goleta Government
City of Santa Barbara
Sarasaviya

03/30/2026

Submit Now! https://filmfreeway.com/ceyloninternationalfilmfestival

03/16/2026

We welcome Dawn Higginbotham to CEYIFF Advisors Committee.

Dawn is the Principal Producer / Filmmaker at Morning Person Pictures, co-author of "The Guide To Managing PostProducton for Film, TV & Digital," and a member of the Producers Guild, PGA, Women's Impact Network, and SAG-AFTRA.

She started out on such films as Jim Cameron's Titanic and Avatar, Luca’s films Star Wars: EP I, II & III, and other major studio films (for Walt Disney Studios, DreamWorks and DreamWorks Animation, Twentieth Century Fox and more).

As a creative force, she wrote and directed the award winning films “The Usual”
(official selecton at Emerging Filmmakers at Cannes Film Festval), "Last Chance," "WEFilmLA" and “3D DreamWorks Animation w/ Valerie Lettera Spletzer” (winner of the YouTube Documentary Award), and executive produced
"UDrive Me" (on Tubi). A few of her additional films and series can be seen on
Fandango TV, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime. Her projects currently in development with Morning Person Pictures include several book options and
international films.

Over 20 years of experience in production and postproduction, she teaches film
camps across Southern California, including Pepperdine University and San Pedro International Film Festival Filmmaker Program, and she has lectured at New York Film Academy, UCLA, AFI... and spoken on panels across the globe; a Producers Guild of America Women's Impact panel, a panel on exhibition and
theater owners in Dubai, Comic Con International Film Festival in San Diego, London Comic-Con Film Festival, WonderCon Anaheim, and others.

03/06/2026

🌟 Welcome Kumari Bakhru

Advisor Committee – Ceylon International Film Festival (CEYIFF)

We are honored to welcome Kumari Bakhru to the Advisor Committee of the Ceylon International Film Festival.

Kumari is an internationally respected leader in post-production, digital cinema operations, and global theatrical distribution, with over two decades of experience shaping the future of film exhibition worldwide.

She is the Co-Author of The Guide to Managing Post-Production for Film, TV and Digital Distribution (3rd Edition, Focal Press) a definitive industry resource used by filmmakers and studios globally.

🎬 Industry Leadership & Global Impact

Kumari currently serves as an International Theatrical Distribution & Operations Consultant for Paramount Pictures, overseeing delivery of digital cinema content across EMEA territories and supporting international mastering, special formats, and distribution strategy.

Her distinguished career includes senior leadership roles at:
• Walt Disney Studios – Director of Specialized Distribution Formats & Strategic Planning
• Dolby Laboratories – Manager, Distributor Services
• THX, a division of Lucasfilm Ltd. – Post Production Supervisor

At Disney, Kumari led groundbreaking specialized format workflows for global blockbusters including:
• Black Panther
• Captain Marvel
• The Lion King
• Frozen II
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

She has pioneered advancements in ScreenX, immersive seating, premium large format, live event cinema, digital cinema initiatives, and international distribution innovation.

🎤 Global Speaker & Industry Advocate

Kumari is a sought-after speaker and panelist at:
• San Diego Comic-Con International Film Festival
• National Association of Broadcasters
• Digital Cinema Initiatives (Technical Committee & Management Committee Chair)
• Producer’s Guild of America – Women’s Impact Network
• META Cinema Forum (Dubai)
• Women in Cinema Exhibition (Board of Directors)

She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at the American Film Institute, and has lectured at New York Film Academy and UCLA Extension, mentoring the next generation of filmmakers and post-production professionals.

🎥 Cannes Recognition

Kumari co-produced The Usual, an award-winning short film sponsored by The American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival Emerging Filmmakers Showcase.

Why This Matters for CEYIFF

Kumari’s unparalleled expertise in global distribution, digital cinema innovation, theatrical operations, and post-production strategy strengthens CEYIFF’s international platform and technical excellence.

Her leadership bridges Hollywood, international markets, and emerging filmmakers — aligning perfectly with CEYIFF’s mission to elevate South Asian and global cinema on the world stage.

We are deeply honored to welcome Kumari Bakhru to the CEYIFF Advisor Committee as we continue expanding our global footprint and shaping the future of cinema.

03/01/2026

Welcome to CEYIFF – Alexandra Jaimes

We are pleased to welcome Alexandra Jaimes as the Compliance Officer for the Ceylon International Film Festival (CEYIFF).

Alexandra has been with Anticouni & Ricotta since 2016, where she has built a diverse and impactful employment law practice. A native Spanish speaker, she is deeply committed to advocating for her community and providing accessible legal guidance in both English and Spanish.

Her practice focuses on a broad range of employment law matters, including sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour disputes. Alexandra manages cases from pre-litigation strategy through all stages of litigation, bringing a practical, thoughtful, and solutions-oriented approach to complex workplace issues.

In addition to representing employees, Alexandra advises employers on defending employment-related claims and navigating compliance responsibilities. She supports organizations in developing best practices and assists with drafting and updating employee handbooks, workplace policies, and procedures that promote lawful, equitable, and effective work environments.

Alexandra currently practices as a Provisionally Licensed Lawyer through the State Bar of California. She serves on the Board of Directors of Santa Barbara Women Lawyers and is an active member of both the Santa Barbara County Bar Association and the California Employment Lawyers Association.

Outside of her legal practice, Alexandra enjoys spending time at the beach, exploring fashion, discovering new music, and relaxing with her cat and loved ones.

We are honored to have Alexandra’s legal expertise and commitment to ethical standards supporting CEYIFF as we continue to grow as an international cultural and cinematic platform.

02/28/2026

Erica Ostlander — Film Programmer, CEYIFF

Erica Ostlander joins the Ceylon International Film Festival (CEYIFF) as Film Programmer, bringing extensive experience in film curation, festival programming, and cultural event leadership. A theaters and events professional, Erica holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development and Film Studies from the University of St Andrews.

She previously served as Director of the St Andrews Green Film Festival, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing sustainability awareness through a thoughtfully curated program of fiction and documentary films that inspire dialogue and social impact.

Erica also worked as a Film Curator for the inaugural SANDS: International Film Festival in 2022, where she played a key role in shaping an international film program centered on the theme New Beginnings. She has continued her work as an ambassador and curator with festivals including the Starling Film Festival in Wirral, UK, supporting emerging voices and global storytelling.

Her academic and creative focus explores film materiality and experimental filmmaking, highlighting the often unseen processes behind cinematic storytelling. Through her work, Erica aims to expand audiences’ understanding of film as both an artistic and cultural medium.

We are proud to welcome Erica Ostlander to CEYIFF as she helps shape a dynamic and globally inclusive cinematic program.

02/24/2026

02/23/2026

Today, we proudly announce the official launch of the website for the 5th Annual Ceylon International Film Festival (CEYIFF) & Santa Barbara Cine Trade Expo.

What began as a dream to build cultural bridges through storytelling has grown into a global platform connecting filmmakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and communities. As the Founder & President of the Ceylon International Film Festival, it is incredibly meaningful to see us reach this milestone year.

Our 5th Annual CEYIFF & SB Cine Trade Expo will once again bring together:

🎬 International and independent filmmakers
🌍 Global cultural voices
🤝 Industry professionals and distributors
💼 Trade exhibitors and creative entrepreneurs
🎤 Panels, workshops, and networking opportunities

This year, we are expanding the Cine Trade Expo to create deeper conversations around film, commerce, innovation, and cross-border collaboration — strengthening our mission of economic development through storytelling.

Vendor details and the full event schedule will be released soon. We invite filmmakers, sponsors, partners, and exhibitors to stay connected as we unveil exciting programming and industry opportunities.

CEYIFF continues to stand on our Four D’s — Dream, Determination, Dedication, and Diversity — and as we step into our 5th year, our commitment remains clear: to Embrace, Inspire, and Empower.

Visit the newly launched website today and join us as we prepare for another unforgettable year of global cinema and trade in Santa Barbara.

Founder of Ceylon International Film Festival Aruni Boteju receiving the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Salud Carbajal…