ELEVATE Film Screening at Sri Palee Campus of Colombo Uni.

Female filmmakers sharing their experience of making SRHR films Sri Palee Campus Rector Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa (left) receives memento by Futureworld Deputy Manager Ramesh De Silva

ELEVATE Program Manager Isuri Abeykoon	Senior Lecturer Chathurika Nimalachandra	Dr. Kumesha Prabhashini

• Celebration of SRHR through student filmmaking

By Jinara Thejana

The Sri Palee Campus of the University of Colombo recently hosted the ELEVATE Film Screening, a transformative event showcasing student-led films that address critical issues surrounding Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and cyber safety.

The screening was part of the ELEVATE program, an initiative that empowers young women to articulate their lived experiences through short films and mobile filmmaking, fostering discussions that challenge societal norms and advocate for gender equity. The ELEVATE program is designed by the Centre for Media and Information Literacy to enhance the confidence of female short film directors, enabling them to speak openly about sexual and reproductive rights, challenge stigma, and address cyber gender-based violence. This initiative is implemented in partnership with the University Grants Commission’s Centre for Gender Equality and Equity, ensuring institutional support for fostering gender-inclusive narratives and empowering young women in the creative industry.

The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa, the Rector of Sri Palee Campus, who emphasised the necessity of open conversations on SRHR. He commended the University Grants Commission (UGC) for its role in equipping young women with the skills to share their experiences through storytelling. Drawing comparisons with countries like Australia, where families encourage healthy and respectful discussions about relationships, he underscored the importance of fostering similar openness in Sri Lanka. He stressed that the ELEVATE program is not about promoting relationships but about cultivating respect and understanding, creating a much-needed space for young people to address issues that have long been shrouded in silence.

The event brought together a distinguished panel of academics, including Dr. Kumesh Prabashini, Chathurika Nimalchandra, Kalani Dharmasiri, Manoj Premachandra, Nuwan Madduma, and Prof. Kumudini Maddumage, who played instrumental roles in mentoring the student filmmakers. The lighting of the traditional oil lamps symbolised the illumination of knowledge and the empowerment of young voices through the medium of film.

During the first panel discussion, young filmmakers reflected on how the ELEVATE program transformed their understanding of gendered violence. Sathnara Ganegoda from Sri Palee Campus discussed how the training deepened her awareness of cyber violence against women as a systemic issue, empowering her to speak out. Her film explored the emotional and social isolation faced by young women experiencing intimate partner violence in the digital age.

Sandani Maleesha from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura highlighted the lack of discourse on transgender issues among university students. Her film delved into themes of gender identity, autonomy, and discrimination, pushing for greater recognition of LGBTQ+ rights. Panchali Piyumika from Sri Palee Campus addressed passive violence in relationships, exposing how societal norms force women into predefined roles, stripping them of their autonomy. Her film revealed the emotional abuse many women endure under the guise of trust and loyalty. Each filmmaker underscored the power of cinema as a tool for social change, challenging entrenched gender norms and amplifying marginalised voices.

The second panel discussion featured leading scholars analysing the thematic depth and societal impact of the films. Prof. Kumudini Maddumage highlighted the ELEVATE program’s role in addressing the intersectionality of GBV, sexuality, and reproductive rights. She commended films like Virgin and Wrongful Choices for boldly challenging societal taboos, particularly in advocating for safe abortion rights. She pointed out that gender biases and double standards remain pervasive, and these films provide a critical lens to deconstruct harmful narratives.

Dr. Kumesha Prabhashini lauded the cinematic quality of the student films, affirming that they authentically captured the realities faced by female university students. She noted that the films were not mere academic exercises but powerful works of storytelling that sparked crucial conversations about sexuality, bodily autonomy, and reproductive rights. She specifically praised Whose Blind, a film addressing the experiences of disabled women facing relationship violence, highlighting how societal norms often regulate women’s bodies and choices.

Chathurika Nimalchandra reflected on the broader impact of the ELEVATE program, emphasising that it gave young women the agency to tell their own stories in their own words. She noted that mobile filmmaking allowed students to explore their potential as storytellers, presenting raw and authentic narratives that mainstream media often overlook. She stressed that these films were not just about showcasing lived experiences but about reclaiming spaces where women’s voices had long been silenced.

In her concluding remarks, Kalani Dharmasiri underscored the urgent need for stronger institutional support for survivors of sexual and relationship violence. She emphasised that the 12 films produced through the program exposed critical gaps in awareness about SRHR, particularly cyber violence and body autonomy. She urged universities to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual violence and to ensure that survivors have access to proper legal and psychological support. She also called for greater efforts to dismantle stigma and victim-blaming, which often prevent young women from seeking help.

A total of 24 students participated in the screening, including 16 female and 8 male attendees. The thought-provoking discussions sparked by these films reaffirmed the need to integrate SRHR education into university curricula and provide young women with the resources to navigate their personal and academic lives with confidence and agency.

The ELEVATE Film Screening at Sri Palee Campus was not just a showcase of student creativity — it was a movement. By providing a platform for young women to articulate their realities through filmmaking, the program successfully bridged gaps in SRHR awareness and gender discourse within Sri Lanka’s higher education system. As ELEVATE continues to grow, it promises to inspire a new generation of storytellers who will challenge societal norms, reshape narratives, and advocate for a more equitable and inclusive future through the power of film.

(The writer is an Undergraduate at the Open University of Sri Lanka, freelance video journalist and media trainer attached to iVoiceLk.)