Sri Lankan Panorama
A special showcase dedicated to celebrating the diversity and creativity of Sri Lankan cinema. This section highlights both shorts and features that reflect the voices, stories, and cultural spirit of Sri Lanka. Short films in this category will compete for awards, while feature films will be screened as part of our non-competitive showcase.
Call for Entries – RIFF 2026
The Rajarata Independent Film Festival (RIFF) proudly welcomes film submissions from Sri Lankan filmmakers working in Sinhala, Tamil, or English. Our mission is to celebrate the diversity of Sri Lankan cinema and provide a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work on an international stage.
Whether you are a student, an independent filmmaker, or an experienced director, we invite you to share your stories with audiences in Anuradhapura and beyond.
Eligible Categories
We accept films in the following categories:
• Short Films
Fiction, experimental, or artistic shorts.
Running time: under 30 minutes
• Documentary Shorts
Creative or journalistic documentary storytelling.
Running time: under 30 minutes
• Student Films
Films made within a school, university, or academic setting.
Language: Sinhala, Tamil, or English
Subtitles: Mandatory English subtitles (even if film is in English)
Technical Requirements
Accepted File Formats:
- MP4 / MOV
- H.264 or H.265 codec
- Minimum resolution: 1080p
- Maximum file size: 4GB (preferred for online transfer)
Poster / Promo Materials:
- A film poster (vertical) – JPG/PNG
- 3–5 stills
- Director’s photo
- Short film synopsis (50–80 words)
- Director’s Bio
Rules & Eligibility
✔ 1. Sri Lankan Filmmakers Only
Director must be Sri Lankan or a permanent resident.
✔ 2. Languages
Submissions must be in Sinhala, Tamil, or English.
✔ 3. Premiere Status
No premiere requirement — previously screened films are allowed.
(But films released publicly on YouTube/Facebook may not be eligible for awards unless exceptional.)
✔ 4. Year of Production
Films must have been completed after January 2023.
✔ 5. Subtitles
All films must include clear English subtitles, burned-in or soft-sub.
✔ 6. Originality
No copyrighted material without proper permission (music, footage, etc.)
✔ 7. Multiple Submissions
Filmmakers may submit more than one film. Each film requires a separate submission.
✔ 8. Screening Rights
By submitting, filmmakers grant RIFF permission for festival screenings and promotional usage.
✔ 9. Withdrawals
Once selected, films cannot be withdrawn from the program.
✔ 10. Submission Fee
A non-refundable Rs. 1500 submission fee is required for each Sri Lankan film submission.
Selection Process
All submitted films will be reviewed by our programming team based on:
- Artistic merit
- Cinematic language
- Cultural or thematic relevance
- Storytelling impact
- Technical execution (not limited to expensive equipment)
Final selections will be announced via:
- Email
- Our official website
- Social media
