Duotone Pro Center Kappaladi

Commercial Film & Branded Content | Kappaladi, Sri Lanka | 2023
Cinematography & Direction: Naqmeh Hashemi

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Developed as part of my international portfolio, this project was commissioned by Duotone Pro Center (KiteKuda), a premium kitesurfing destination in Kappaladi, Sri Lanka.
The brief was to create a series of promotional videos capturing the center’s atmosphere, lifestyle, and action-sports offerings, positioning it as an appealing destination for an international audience.
Over the course of a two-month on-site production, I collaborated on the direction and cinematography of five branded teasers and more than 40 short-form videos for Instagram and Facebook.
The visual approach emphasized dynamic movement, immersive coastal landscapes, and aerial perspectives of the sea, private lagoon, beach, and kitesurfers. Combining mobile cinematography using a phone and gimbal with drone footage, the project sought to communicate both the energy of the sport and the scale of the surrounding environment.

MY ROLE & CONTRIBUTION

Director · Cinematographer

Collaborated with the post-production team to deliver the footage for editing and color grading.
Collaborated on the direction and cinematography of five branded promotional teasers.
Filmed more than 40 short-form videos for the center’s social media platforms.
Captured action-sports footage and coastal landscapes using mobile cinematography and aerial drone shots.
Adapted shooting plans to changing wind, weather, and light conditions.

CREATIVE APPROACH

The visual approach combined energetic action shots with immersive landscape imagery to communicate the experience of kitesurfing at Kappaladi. Aerial perspectives helped establish the relationship between the athletes, the open water, and the surrounding coastal environment, while mobile cinematography provided flexibility during on-location shooting.
Rather than focusing solely on the resort’s facilities, the videos emphasized the atmosphere and experience of the destination, presenting kitesurfing as both a sport and a way of engaging with the landscape.

PRODUCTION NOTES

The production took place over two months on location. One of the main challenges was the monsoon season, which brought unpredictable wind conditions and limited opportunities to film kitesurfing. Several shooting days were spent waiting for suitable weather, requiring flexibility and careful planning around brief windows of favorable wind and light.

During the final two weeks, more consistent conditions allowed us to capture the remaining footage. The raw material was subsequently sent to Iran for editing and color grading by our post-production collaborator.

The experience deepened my understanding of action-sports cinematography and the importance of adapting production schedules to natural conditions. It also reinforced the value of independent learning, patience, and problem-solving in demanding outdoor environments.