‘Riverstone’ bags Best Cinematography Award at AAfF

Prabhath Roshan

Director Lalith Rathnayake

Prabath’s win  follows his earlier Best Cinematography award in the Asian New Talent category at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival in June last year for the same movie

Experienced filmmaker Lalith Rathnayake’s newest film ‘Riverstone’ brought yet another kudos for Sri Lankan cinema,  winning the award for Best Cinematography at the Asian Art Film Festival (AAFF) in Macau. 

Selecting the talented cinematographer Prabhath Roshan as the winner of the Golden Petrel Award for Best Cinematography, the international jury  commended the film for its sensitive visual language, atmospheric composition, and technically accomplished use of confined spaces to enhance the narrative experience.

The festival’s international jury panel was chaired by Academy Award-winning director Malcolm Clarke and included acclaimed film professionals associated with globally recognised honours such as the Academy Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, César Awards, Golden Rooster Awards, Golden Horse Awards, and the International Film Festival of India, reflecting the international stature of the recognition. According to festival organisers, Riverstone was selected from a highly competitive field of international productions for its exceptional visual storytelling and artistic cinematography.  

Prabath’s win,  follows his earlier Best Cinematography award in the Asian New Talent category at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival in June last year for the same movie. In Shanghai, Riverstone also won the award for  Best Script Writer shared by filmmaker Lalith Rathnayake and Nilantha Perera. 

Prabhath began his journey in the Sri Lankan arts industry in 1992 as a camera assistant, later advancing to the role of chief lighting director. Roshan’s dedication and passion for the craft led him to become a cinematographer at a young age, gaining recognition for his work in television dramas and, eventually, in feature films. His ability to blend visual artistry with emotional storytelling has earned him both national and international acclaim. 

An emotionally powerful cinematic journey,  this moving road drama captures the natural beauty and cultural richness of locations such as Kandy, Digana, Medamahanuwara, and Riverstone.

The film is now being screened in the Rithma Circuit of the National Film Corporation (NFC) of Sri Lanka,  and issuing a statement on the latest victory, the Corporation stated that the film has already earned international attention for its breathtaking visual storytelling, emotional depth, and cinematic excellence. 

“As a Sri Lankan film earning recognition on the international stage, Riverstone represents not only the success of a single production but also the growing strength, creativity, and global potential of the Sri Lankan cinema industry,” the NFC added.

Presented by the Asian Art Film Festival Association and the Macao International Art Film Association, AAFF held at Macau in China is one of the region’s most artistically driven and aesthetically distinguished international film festival,  and it is dedicated to advancing the spirit of cinematic exploration and artistic integrity across Asia.

The festival,  held annually,  aims on curating outstanding films from across Asia, with particular attention to exceptional works by emerging and independent filmmakers.

‘Through its competition and selection mechanisms, the festival highlights films that reflect the human condition, engage with social and humanitarian issues, uphold fairness and justice, and demonstrate artistic innovation with profound cultural insight,” AAFF said in a statement.

The experienced cast of ‘Riverstone’ includes Mahendra Perera, Shyam Fernando, Randika Gunathilaka, Priyantha Sirikumara, Elroy Amalathas and Ananda Kumara Unnahe. 

Produced by Cinearts Films, adding to the list of international recognitions, ‘Riverstone’ earlier won the prestigious top prize, the Golden Cyclo, and received a Special Mention from the Critics’ Jury for its psychological exploration of justice. At the Singapore International Film Festival,  it won the Best Director (Lalith Rathnayake) and Best Performance (Mahendra Perera) in the Asian Feature Film segment. In Shanghai International Film Festival (China) it was honoured with the Asian New Talent Awards for Best Script Writer (Lalith Rathnayake and Nilantha Perera) and Best Cinematography (Prabath Roshan),  and at Kolkata International Film Festival (India) the film won the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Director.