The Catalyst Club of APIIT Sri Lanka successfully concluded Kagura 2026, the third edition of its inter-university short film festival, with a grand awards ceremony held on Tuesday, 31st March 2026 at the Commercial Credit Training Center in Bolgoda.
Kagura is an annual inter-university short film festival organized to create a platform for young filmmakers to showcase their creativity, challenge conventions, and address relevant social themes through film. This year’s edition, held under the theme “The Lies We Tell,” encouraged participants to explore the complex nature of truth and deception that shapes human experience and society. Through this platform, students from diverse academic backgrounds came together, united by a shared passion for storytelling, using film as a medium to question perceptions, uncover hidden realities, and reflect on the narratives that influence everyday life.
The awards ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Kamal Addararachchi, with Damith Fonseka and Bandula Egodage, Chairman of APIIT as Guests of Honor, and featured a distinguished panel of judges including Anomaa Rajakaruna, Saman Elvitigala, Thisara Mangala Bandara, and Irushi Tennekoon.
The ceremony celebrated the outstanding achievements of young filmmakers across Sri Lanka, with the University of Moratuwa emerging as the overall winner of Kagura 2026. NSBM secured the position of 1st runners-up, while the University of Sri Jayewardenepura was named 2nd runners-up. The event brought together participants, academics, and industry representatives, highlighting the growing impact of student-led creative initiatives within the local film landscape.
Over the past three months, the Kagura organizing team also conducted a series of workshops aimed at developing participants’ technical and creative skills, with support from Kehelmala Studios and The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka. These sessions provided valuable industry insights and mentorship, further strengthening the festival’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
The success of Kagura 2026 was made possible with the support of its partners and sponsors, including Good PR as Gold Sponsor, Barista as Bronze Sponsor, and in-kind support from Kehelmala Studios and The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka. Their contributions played a vital role in enhancing the scale and quality of this year’s festival.
Project Chairperson Shevan Gomis stated, “We are happy to announce that this was the biggest edition of Kagura to date, with 24 teams participating from various different universities across Sri Lanka. We hope to make Kagura grow even larger with the next edition.”
Building on the momentum of this year’s festival, the Kagura team also announced plans to host a public screening of the selected films, offering a wider audience the opportunity to experience the creativity and perspectives of Sri Lanka’s next generation of filmmakers.
Through its continued growth, Kagura stands as a hub for bold ideas, diverse voices, and cinematic innovation, further solidifying its place as a leading inter-university platform for young storytellers in Sri Lanka.
Founded in 1999, APIIT Sri Lanka is a leading higher education institution established in partnership with University of Staffordshire in the UK and Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation in Malaysia. APIIT conducts Undergraduate and Master’s degree programmes from University of Staffordshire, UK in Business, Computing, Law, Psychology, Engineering and Bio-Medical Science. With nearly 3,500 students in enrolment and an annual intake of over 1,000 students, APIIT is one of the largest providers of foreign degree programmes in Sri Lanka. Over the past 25 years it has successfully produced more than 6,500 graduates who are enjoying successful careers in Sri Lanka and abroad
Image Caption : Team Kagura
