A Cinematic Reunion that Ignited the Island’s Global Spotlight
Over three remarkable days, Sri Lanka was transformed into a vibrant hub for international cinema, as it welcomed Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Deepa Mehta for Signature Weekend, a landmark event celebrating the convergence of storytelling, culture, and creativity. Organized by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts under their Signature Selection brand, in collaboration with the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the event marked a triumphant homecoming of sorts for Mehta, whose cinematic journey is closely intertwined with the island’s landscapes and soul.
Held from May 30 to June 1, 2025, at the stunning venues of Cinnamon Bentota Beach and Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Signature Weekend was a captivating tribute to Mehta’s legacy and Sri Lanka’s pivotal, often under-recognized, role in her most acclaimed works. From red carpet premieres to intimate panels, the weekend pulsed with cinematic energy and set the stage for an important conversation:
How can Sri Lanka redefine itself as a global filmmaking destination?
Celebrating a Creative Bond
Deepa Mehta’s connection to Sri Lanka is profound. The island offered sanctuary and support during challenging chapters of her career, particularly when Water, her 2005 film exploring the plight of widows in 1930s India, faced backlash and was forced to relocate production. Filming the movie in Sri Lanka not only allowed it to be completed but also gave rise to one of the most critically acclaimed South Asian films of the 21st century. Water was later nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, making cinematic history.
Filming the movie in Sri Lanka not only allowed it to be completed but also gave rise to one of the most critically acclaimed South Asian films of the 21st century.
During Signature Weekend, Water was screened under the stars at Cinnamon Bentota Beach in a breathtaking open-air event, followed by a candid Q&A session with Mehta and her long-time producing partner David Hamilton. Audience members, including local film students, international guests, and industry insiders, were visibly moved as Mehta reflected on how Sri Lanka “gave [her] back [her] voice as a filmmaker.”
The screenings of Midnight’s Children, based on Salman Rushdie’s Booker Prize-winning novel, and Funny Boy, which is set during the early years of Sri Lanka’s civil conflict, further emphasized the country’s cinematic versatility. Both films were either fully or partially shot in Sri Lanka, making the island not just a backdrop but a character in itself.
A Platform for the Future of Film
More than a retrospective, the event was a springboard for future collaborations. At Cinnamon Life’s The Studios, Deepa Mehta announced her upcoming feature film Sher, a reimagining of Sherlock Holmes infused with South Asian humour and mystique. Significantly, Sher will be filmed entirely in Sri Lanka, using local talent both in front of and behind the camera. The announcement was met with loud applause and excitement, cementing the country’s appeal to global filmmakers seeking authenticity, beauty, and professional excellence.
Producer David Hamilton highlighted the efficiency, creativity, and warmth of the Sri Lankan film community: “Working in Sri Lanka feels like coming home. The people, the light, the landscapes; it’s a filmmaker’s dream.” Panels across the weekend explored a variety of themes, from “Cinema Without Borders” to “Telling Stories of Conflict and Compassion.” Local and international filmmakers, tourism leaders, cultural critics, and emerging Sri Lankan directors discussed how the country’s evolving infrastructure and support systems could nurture a thriving creative economy.
Showcasing Sri Lanka’s Cinematic Strength
What Signature Weekend proved is that Sri Lanka is no longer the film world’s best-kept secret. With its dramatic coastlines, colonial architecture, bustling cities, and lush hill country, the island offers a palette of cinematic options. More importantly, it offers stories, both ancient and contemporary, that resonate on a global scale. “Sri Lanka has everything a filmmaker dreams of,” said Mehta. “It’s not just about the scenery. It’s about the spirit of this place. There’s a generosity of emotion here that comes through on screen.”
What Signature Weekend proved is that Sri Lanka is no longer the film world’s best-kept secret. With its dramatic coastlines, colonial architecture, bustling cities, and lush hill country, the island offers a palette of cinematic options.
The weekend was also a timely reminder of how film can drive tourism. As visitors flocked to the event, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts set a new benchmark for hospitality-driven cultural programming. Curated culinary experiences, guided tours of filming locations, and curated sessions with cast and crew brought guests into the heart of the cinematic experience.
A New Cinematic Chapter Begins
As the curtains fell on Signature Weekend, what lingered was not just admiration for Mehta’s artistry, but an overwhelming sense of momentum. Sri Lanka is stepping into a bold new chapter, as a destination where culture and commerce, art and authenticity, past and future, all meet. For Deepa Mehta, it was a reunion. For Sri Lanka, it was a reawakening. And for the world, Signature Weekend was a powerful reminder: this island is not just a place to escape to. It is a place to create from.
