Ho Gaana Pokuna


Ho Gana Pokuna is a 2015 Sri Lankan children's musical drama film written and directed by Indika Ferdinando. It depicts a teacher in a remote village, Uma, teaching her students to focus on something they have never seen before.
The film was awarded the Teacher's Choice Prize at the 31st Chicago International Children's Film Festival, Best Feature Film at the 38th Lucas International Children's Festival, and the City of Zlin Award at the 55th Zlín Film Festival. It had its world premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival and was designated as the official selection at the Hanoi International Film Festival.

Plot

A new teacher, Uma, arrives at a school with her first appointment in a remote village near Dambulla in Sri Lanka. The school has few students, with only the principal and Uma as the teacher. With the help of Uma the pupils gradually start to dream of bigger things than they ever imagined.
One day Upuli, a blind girl, shares her unseen dream with school friends Sukiri and Ukkun. It gradually becomes the dream throughout the village. The children and Uma encounter perils in their venture to realise this dream. The children of the school start to focus on something they have never seen before. This target gives rise to a small revolution.

Film crew

The movie was directed by Indika Ferdinando. It was produced by Kusumsiri Liyanarachi, Yashodara Sarachchandra, Dayananda Liyanarachi, Shyama Athukorala, Bimal Fernando, Nirosha Fernando, and Geetha Muthumala. Principal photography was undertaken by Channa Deshapriya and editing by Thissa Surendra.

Cast

The film's score and songs were composed and conducted by Dinesh Subasinghe. Vocals for the theme song, "Rata Pena Kiri Haawa", were provided by Thrishala Wijethunga with background vocals by Dewmini Fernando, Dinith Ridhmika, Banuka Senivirathna and Nishami Naizara.

Sound track

The sound track of the movie was released on M Entertainment music. The musical score has been admired by the Hanoi film jury and Chicago media journalists. The soundtrack was recorded by Rajeewa Jayawickrama and finalised by Shashika Ruwan Maarasinghe in Chennai.

Awards and nominations

International Awards

YearFilm FestivalCountryCategoryResult
201531st Chicago International Children’s Film FestivalU.S.Special Jury award
201555th Zlín Film FestivalCzech RepublicCity of Zlin Award,
201538th Lucas International Children’s Film FestivalGermanyBest Feature film award
2016SAARC Film FestivalSAARC countries*Best Screenplay-Indika Ferdinando *Best Editor-Tissa Surendra

Awards in Sri Lankan Film Festivals

4th Derana Sunsilk Film Awards 2016


Ho Gana Pokuna movie has got nine nominations & won six awards at the 4th Derana Sunsilk Film Awards 2016 at Nelum pokuna Thearter on 14 May 2016
CategoryArtistResult
Best Original ScoreDinesh Subasinghe
Best Supporting ActorJayalath Manoratne
Most Popular Film SongDinesh Subasinghe
Best DirectionIndika Ferdinando
Best Screen PlayIndika Ferdinando
Best Art DirectorManjula Ayagama
Best Actor in a Negative RoleDayadeva Edirisinghe
Best Actress in a Supporting RoleJayani Senanayake
Best Movie & Most Popular MovieIndika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi

Jury Awards'''
CategoryArtistResult
Most Popular Film SongDinesh Subasinghe
Best EditingTissa Surendra
Best Sound DesigningSasika Ruwan Marasinghe
Best Comic RoleJayalath Manoratne
Best Original ScoreDinesh Subasinghe
Best Movie SongDinesh Subasinghe
Most Popular Child StarThishakya Kumarathunga
Most Promising directorIndika Ferdinando
Best Negative RoleDaya Deva Edhirisinghe
Best Screen PlayIndika Ferdinando
Best MovieIndika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi

Jury Awards
CategoryArtistResult
Best EditingTissa Surendra
Best Sound DesigningSasika Ruwan Marasinghe
Best Original ScoreDinesh Subasinghe
Best Supporting RoleJayalath Manoratne
Best Supporting RoleDayadeva Edirisinghe
Best ActressAnasuya Subasinghe
Best DirectorIndika Ferdinando
Best Screen PlayIndika Ferdinando
Best MovieIndika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi

Jury Awards
CategoryArtistResult
Most Promising ActressAnasuya Subasinghe
Best Supporting ActorJayalath Manoratne
Best Original ScoreDinesh Subasinghe
Best lyricistindika Ferdinando,Kusumsiri Liyanarachi
Best CinematographyChanna Deshapriya
Best Sound DesigningSasika Ruwan Marasinghe
Best DirectorIndika Ferdinando
Best Screen PlayIndika Ferdinando
Best MovieIndika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi

CategoryArtistResult
Best Art directorManjula Ayagama
Best Film SongDinesh Subasinghe
Best Original ScoreDinesh Subasinghe
Best Supporting ActorJayalath Manoratne
best Upcoming ActressAnasuya Subasinghe

Ho Gaana Pokuna completed 100 days and went up to 147 days until the release date of movie 'Pathini'. It was a huge box office success in Sri lanka and won the Highest Grossing movie Award at the 4th Derana Sunsilk Film Festival. The film was recorded as the first Sri Lankan movie to released in Blu-Ray technology.