The Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011
Japan (CHAKRA) — After a four year interval, the Asian Buddhist Film Festival (ABFF) returns and this time around a portion of its proceeds are set to go to Japan earthquake and tsunami victims.
Ambassador K. Kesavapany, director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) said that helping people is in line with Buddhist teachings of compassion and giving to the Japanese victims will do just that. A part of the money will also go to the Children’s Cancer Foundation.
This years films will be screened at Great World City’s Golden Village cinema from May 5th to May 8th, as a prelude to Vesak day which will take place on May 17. Eight of the total films being featured will be Singapore premieres. The opening film will be a film that won Best Picture in children’s category at the Berlin Film Festival last year. The film is called Echos of the Rainbow, directed by Hong Kong director, Alex Law. Acclaimed American filmmaker Jennifer Fox, will be participating at the festival for the first time in which she will offer a masterclass for film-making.
The themes of love, peace and compassion will be visibly prominent at the festival this year as every year. Mr. Billy Lee, co-founder and chairman of ABFF said there is something there for everyone to see and enjoy especially because the themes are so universal and at the core of humanity’s values. The festival has been collaboratively organized by the Asian Buddhist Film Festival and the Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre, which is a part of ISEAS.
Mr. Lee stated that the main purpose of the festival is not to bring new films to Singapore but rather the core focus is to showcase good film-making skills along with a focus on promoting themes of love, peace, and compassion.
The last edition of the film festival, which took place four years ago, the organization raised a total of $40,000 for charity.
By Tan Ong