Dharma In Action

Official Website: www.thisfilmfest.com
13 – 19 September 2009

Brought to Singapore
by the Dharma in Action Limited

What is T.H.I.S. Buddhist Film Festival 2009?

Thus Have I Seen, T.H.I.S. Buddhist Film Festival 2009 is the second major project of Dharma In Action (DIA), a Buddhist gathering dedicated to innovating new platforms for sharing the Buddha's Teachings.

The film festival aims to promote awareness of the Buddha’s timeless Teachings and diversity of Buddhist cultures around the world through the use of film, a contemporary medium.

Playing on the oft-cited verse “Thus have I heard” recited by Venerable Ananda at the start of many Buddhist sutras, T.H.I.S. Buddhist Film Festival 2009 hopes to achieve a similar reflection amongst Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, as they discuss Buddhist Teachings and values featured in the films.

Objectives

1. To introduce the Teachings of the Buddha through the contemporary medium of film.
2. To provide an opportunity for enthusiastic Buddhist youths to volunteer in a community project where they can serve while acquiring new skills and networks.
3. To upgrade the capacity of the Buddhist community in organising large scale events.

Format

The film festival will be a week long in duration showcasing a targeted 10 feature films and documentaries. Up to 7,000 tickets will be available.

Dates

13^th – 19^th September 2009

Venue

Lido Cinemas by Shaw Brothers

Target Audience

The festival aims to reach out to a wide spectrum of viewers, Buddhists and non-Buddhists.

Shortlisted Films

The films are shortlisted by a committee of dedicated Buddhist youths who aim to showcase the diverse philosophy, cultures and history impacted by Buddhism.

 • Round Bright Moonlight (PRC 2005)

Venerable Hong Yi (1880 – 1942) was the forerunner in unifying and modernising China’s Buddhism culture. This epic depicts his life and this often neglected era in Buddhist history.

 • Dhamma Brothers (USA 2008)

This documentary tells a dramatic tale of human transformation in the prison inmates who underwent the first Vipassana meditation retreat ever conducted in a US prison.

  • Sankara (Sri Lanka 2006)

This award winning film tells a simple and profound tale of a young Buddhist monk's struggles with his worldly desires as he restores ancient paintings depicting the Buddhist moral of not being swayed by five senses.

 • Mekong Full Moon Party (Thailand 2002)

Mysterious fireballs rise up from the Mekon River and disappear into the sky on November full moons. Are an offering to Buddha from the mythical dragon as believed by the locals; a hoax as believed by Western visitors or the work of monks as believed by a temple Abbot?

 • Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame (Afghanistan 2007)

Baktay, a six-year-old Afghan girl can finally go to school. On her way, boys mimic the violence around them by playing war games to stone her, blow her up as the Taliban blew up the Buddha and shoot her like Americans. Will Baktay be able to reach her school?  

About the Organiser

Dharma In Action (DIA) was formed in February 2008 as an informal gathering of energetic and enthusiastic Buddhists from all traditions to promote the ideal of Buddhism as a lifestyle in Singapore. Focusing on innovation and dynamic collaborative processes, our first project, the Buddhist Youth Conference 2008 in November was a collaboration amongst Buddhist youths and activists from various temples and Buddhist organisations. 19 speakers and over 150 participants deliberated on issues relevant and urgent to local Buddhists.

DIA was incorporated in Singapore as a company limited by guarantee on February 2009 to carry out non-profit making activities to promote the learning, understanding and practice of life-style Buddhism in modern societies. One of the key focus areas is in the creation of awareness and educational Buddhism programmes in Singapore.

Upcoming DIA projects include the OM Music Workshop for original Buddhist hymn compositions; the DIA Buddhist Youth Leadership Camp 2009 organised by the Singapore Buddhist Mission (Youth Group) in June and the T.H.I.S. Buddhist Film Festival 2009 in September.