Mumbai: Prasad, a global leader in film preservation, restoration, and post-production, announced that two iconic Sri Lankan films — Welikathara and Akasa Kusum — will be showcased at the 47th Nantes Three Continents Film Festival in France, scheduled from November 21 to 29, 2025.
The Nantes Three Continents Film Festival is a globally recognised platform celebrating outstanding cinema from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Both films have been meticulously scanned and restored by Prasad’s award-winning restoration team, renowned for its archival expertise, technical finesse, and commitment to safeguarding South Asia’s rich audiovisual heritage.
Reviving Two Sri Lankan Classics
Welikathara (1971), considered a landmark of early Sri Lankan cinema, is celebrated for its bold narrative language, distinctive visual style, and unforgettable performances that helped define contemporary Sinhala filmmaking.
Akasa Kusum (2008), directed by acclaimed filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage, stands as a defining work of modern Sri Lankan cinema. Its emotional depth, nuanced portrayals, and sharp social commentary continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
Prasad’s restoration process involved precise frame-by-frame work, advanced colour grading, and detailed audio clean-up, ensuring that French audiences experience the films in their finest possible form—true to their original artistic vision.
“Seeing my film in such pristine quality at Prasad was one of the happiest moments of my life. After all these years, I can finally share it with audiences the way it was meant to be seen, in its finest form. I’m deeply grateful to everyone at Prasad who poured their heart into this restoration,” shared Prasanna Vithanage, Director of Akasa Kusum.
Speaking on the showcase, Kavita Prasad, Managing Director, Prasad Corporation Pvt. Ltd., said, “It is always an honour when films from our region find new life and new audiences across the world. Sri Lanka’s cinematic legacy is rich, nuanced and deeply human. Restoring titles like Welikathara and Akasa Kusum is not only a technical process for us, it is an act of cultural preservation. We are proud to support filmmakers and national archives in safeguarding their stories for future generations.”
A Continuing Legacy of Film Preservation
For decades, Prasad has collaborated with film archives, producers, and cultural institutions across India, Sri Lanka, and beyond to restore and preserve both classic and contemporary films. Its ongoing efforts ensure that South Asian cinematic heritage continues to reach global stages, curators, and audiences who value its artistic and historical significance.
With their screenings at Nantes, Welikathara and Akasa Kusum continue to shine on the international festival circuit—celebrating Sri Lanka’s cinematic brilliance and reaffirming Prasad’s commitment to preserving South Asia’s cultural memory for generations to come.
