International Buddhist Film Festival begins in Leh

07 September, 2012

As part of the ongoing International Festival of Buddhist Heritage of Ladakh, the two-day film festival is being organised by the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Nav Nalanda Maha Vihar University, Bihar, the Tourism Ministry of J&K, and Ashoka Mission Delhi. The International Buddhist Film Festival is being held at the Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra, Leh.

THE AIM of the film festival is to encourage understanding and appreciation of the varied ethnic culture of different parts and tribal communities of Ladakh, as well as its ancient and dynamic Buddhist heritage, philosophy and art of Buddhism. To promote the same, experts and scholars will take part in the proceedings.

Rigzin Spalbar, chairman, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, while inaugurating the film festival today, said, "I feel proud and blessed to be a part of this heritage festival. We will provide all possible support to MIMC whenever needed.” While Dr Victor Wee, chairman, Tourism Promotion Board, Malaysia, said “This festival is a milestone and will be considered an important step to promote tourism in Ladakh and Buddhist society as a whole.”

In the festival, films featuring different aspects of Buddhism will be screened, and the universal values and core beliefs of Buddhism will be portrayed. After the film screenings, the audience will interact with the filmmakers. Some of the major films that will be shown today are: 'Religious Linkages between Bhutan & Ladakh' directed by Ramesh Sharma, 'The Second Buddha' directed by Benoy Behl, and 'Peace is Everything' by Gaetano Hazuo Naida among others.

Meeta Vashistha, actor and social activist, speaking at the opening of the film festival said, "One should make films according to his own wisdom and not by other's mind. A film is considered to be a highly entertaining medium and one has to come up with one's own references and ideas. I will try and provide the best support to the young Ladakhi filmmakers on making good films”. Film critic Ms Aruna Vasudev, dignitaries from various countries, Bharat Natyam dancer Pratibha Prahlad, monks, ministers and scholars also graced the occasion.