19th June 2023 – The epic animated film “Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama” featured on Sunday at the Japanese Canadian Film Festival 2023.

The film is an Indo-Japanese collaboration which has won accolades over three decades has now been transformed into a 4K digital film. The film was originally made in 1992 and its upgraded version won the Best Animation Feature at Santa Clarita International Film Festival 2020.

Over 300 people including kids came to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto to relish the film.

Hindu Forum Canada was the primary sponsor of free tickets for the community members.  Vishal Saini,  Director HFC, said “it is a wonderful opportunity for the community to get together for watching this amazing film. It is also good to see that Japanese community is celebrating a film such as this. Story of Ramayana is indeed a common heritage for humanity.”

Aki Takabatake,  president of Momo Films, said “I am extremely happy to see so many people here at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. The response is very good.  As a distributor of this film, I am looking for more opportunities to show it in theaters, festivals as well as private screenings at temples and heritage centers in Canada . I appreciate so much from the great response and support from the Indian communities as well. Thank you. ”

Consulate General of India, Smt Apoorva Srivastava and Deputy Consul General of Japan in Toronto Mr. Seitoku Kawakami also graced the occasion.

Before the film began Vijay Jain, a well known community volunteer and National Lead for Hindu ERG in Accenture blew Shankh and thanked JCCC for the screening. Then the hall resounded with the jayghosh of “Jai Shri Ram”. ERG Accenture also funded free tickets for its members.

The film is now scheduled to be screened at Vancouver International Film Festival next Sunday.

Hindu Times Canada was proudly the media partner for the event.