Sri Lankan Tamil directors’ preference on making short films over feature films

Abstract

The research seeks to find out the Sri Lankan Tamil directors’ preference on making short films over feature films. The study examines what are the reasons that made the Sri Lankan Tamil directors make more short films than feature films. In order to carry out the objective of the research, survey methodology was employed. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews. The research found out that Sri Lankan Tamil filmmakers’ initial aim is to make feature films. The Sri Lankan Tamil directors give priority to the short films because of the following reasons; No industry for Sri Lankan Tamil cinema, Lack of knowledge regarding distribution and productions of Tamil feature films, no producers are ready to make feature films in Sri Lanka but Short films in little budget, most of the diaspora producers are investing money in Indian Tamil cinema, Sri Lankan Tamil audience are influenced by the Indian Tamil cinema, no proper Tamil filmmaking institute in Sri Lanka, lack of technical knowledge, Lack of interest among theatre owners on Sri Lankan Tamil movies.Sri Lankan Tamil directors use short films to practice the process of filmmaking in script writing, editing, cinematography and other filmmaking elements. Due to lack of producers Sri Lankan Tamil directors produce the short films from their own money. But somehow, they are getting income from screening the short films. Though few film festivals have political influences, National and International short film festivals and competitions encourage the Sri Lankan Tamil filmmakers to make more short films. Number of Tamil short films from Eastern province in Sri Lanka have been selected to Cannes film festival recently. Sri Lankan Tamil short film directors have earned very good profit in the short film competitions just by spending few amounts to produce the short films. Now a days Sri Lankan Tamil television channels are producing more TV programs on Sri Lankan Tamil short films such as IppadikuIyakkunar, Film City, Vizhuthukal, King maker and Namma Hits. It pushes the Sri Lankan Tamil directors to get involved in more short films.