Udaya Prasanna Vithanage () (born 14 March 1962) is a Sri Lankan filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented and influential filmmakers in South Asia. He is known for thought-provoking films that often deals with social, political and cultural issues. His films have received numerous awards accolades, both locally and internationally and have been praised for their innovative storytelling.
He has battled against the censorship in Sri Lanka and worked as an educator of cinema who has conducted many Master classes in the subcontinent for young filmmakers and enthusiasts. Prasanna Vithanage is also an activist and has been involved in human rights and peace initiatives.
Filmography YearTitle Credited as Notes DirectorProducerWriter1992Sisila GiniganeeDirectorial Debut1996Anantha Rathriya1997Pura Handa Kaluwara1997Pavuru Valalu2003Ira MadiyamaCo-written with Priyath Liyanage2008Machan2008Akasa Kusum2012Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka2015Usaviya NihandaiDocumentary2017Premaya Nam2018ThundenekSegment: "Her"Co-written with Asoka Handagama & Vimukthi JayasundaraMarketed as Her. Him. The Other2019 Gaadi 2023Bhagwan Bharose2023 Paradise Co-written with Anushka Senanayake Won Kim Jiseok award at the BIFF +Key Denotes films that have not yet been released
Awards Ira Madiyama (August Sun) Grand Prix (Special Mention) "Le Regard d'or" – Fribourg International Film Festival 2004 FIPRESCI Award – 17th Singapore International Film Festival 2004 NETPAC Award – 17th Singapore International Film Festival 2004
Akasa Kusum (Flowers of the Sky) Awards Best Actress – Malini Fonseka, Levante International Film Festival, Italy Best Actress – Malini Fonseka – SAARC Film Festival 2012 – Nominee, International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Australia – Nominee, Best Actress Malini Fonseka New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest, US
Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka (With You, Without You) Cyclo d'Or – Best Film, Vesoul International Film Festival NETPAC, Vesoul International Film Festival SIGNIS, Milano -African Asian Latin American Film Festival Silver Peacock Award (Best Actress – Anjali Patil), Indian International Film Festival (IFFF), India
Honours
Jury member at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival for its competition section 'Kim Jiseok Award'.
References
External links