The Film Festival closed last Sunday evening with a screening of "With You, Without You".
During the Festival's Closing Night Reception, Vithanage also received the Tasveer Emerald Award for his contribution to Sri Lankan cinema. This occasional award is bestowed upon exceptional prolific and influential filmmakers.
"I am proud to receive the Tasveer Emerald Award, and impressed with the richness and variety of films and filmmakers that Tasveer brings to Seattle," says Vithanage, who was unable to attend the Festival due to last-minute scheduling conflicts.
Vithanage is one of the most prominent filmmakers in Sri Lanka and is known as a pioneer of the Sri Lankan new wave of the 90s.
The movie set, in post war Sri Lanka, tells the story of a couple, a Sinhala man, ex-soldier and a Tamil woman.
"With You, Without You" features Indian actress Anjali Patil with Shyam Fernando, Wasantha Moragoda and Maheshwarie Ratnam. Anjali Patil who acted the main role of the movie received the Silver Peacock Award for Best Actress at International Film Festival of India in Goa in November 2012.
