The Big Screen: ‘VIKAARI’ becomes first Sri Lankan film to premier at LA Screamfest

by Zulfick Farzan 17-09-2020 | 11:36 AM

Colombo (News 1st); ‘VIKAARI’, a Sri Lankan short film by Sandun Seneviratne and British Filmmaker Charlie Bray was selected to be screened in competition later his year at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival, one of the worlds biggest genre festivals.

‘VIKAARI’ becomes the first Sri Lankan film to be selected by Screamfest, placing it in legendary company with horror sensations such as 'Paranormal Activity' and 'The Grudge’ which made their premiers in previous years.

Often referred to as ‘The Sundance of Horror’, legendary directors such as Clive Barker, Wes Craven, and John Carpenter sit on the advisory board while the coveted trophy was designed by the late Stan Winston, master of special effects on many classic Hollywood movies.

‘VIKAARI’ features Sri Lankan stars Ashan Dias, Bimsara Premaratne, and British actor Richard Dee Roberts.

Revolving around the widespread birth of babies with similar deformities, the movie follows the ensuing worldwide panic. The children, nicknamed Vikaari, all share a remarkable set of characteristics and may even possess, paranormal abilities.

Sandun Seneviratne who also wrote and directed Sri Lanka's first big-budget sci-fi web series 'Seer: Death Sight’ says he aims to produce Hollywood inspired sci-fi genre films in Sri Lanka that can compete in the international market in terms of storytelling and production value.

Vikaari, will premier at Screamfest in LA in October of this year.