Written by Tom Deehan on Nov 30, 2016. Posted in General Interest

Sri Lanka establishes International Film Producers’ Association

The International Film Producers’ Association (IFPA) of Sri Lanka has been established after a call to action to standardise the level of service offered by the local production industry. The association will be run by Priyanga Kumarasiri (President), Gopi Dharmarathan (Treasurer), Sandya Saldago (Secretary), Nishantha Padmakumara and Mahinda Perera (Executive Council).

Acting as an outlet for streamlined communication between international Producers and Sri Lankan Producers, IFPA will also set a consistent degree of professionalism to ensure that expectations are met across the board whenever local Producers are utilised on international projects.

Priyanga Kumarasiri, President of the IFPA explains: “our top objectives are to help position Sri Lanka on the world map of movie production as an exotic film location that can also provide line production facilities that meet international standards while building the industry as an undisputed foreign exchange market earner for the country.”

He continues: “with international film Producers expecting higher professionalism and quality in all the services provided locally, the association will take leadership in the training and development of young professionals who will help enhance the growth of the industry.”

The list of companies currently signed up to the IFPA include Crew for Shoots, Creative Red Production, Dream Forge, Film Island, Frames, IndoChina Productions, The Film Team, Video Image, Vision Works and Working Ants.

Sri Lanka lacks a financial incentive for filming, but it does have a developed infrastructure from a long history of working in productions.

The country’s relatively short distance from India has made it a popular location for Bollywood productions, having been featured in such recent films as Bombay Velvet, Tasher Desh and Madras Cafe.