A four-day mobile short film training workshop was conducted by the Centre for Media and Information Literacy (CMIL) in Jaffna from 24-27 November. 26 young female filmmakers from the northern province attended this training.

The training focused on building the capacity of young short-film makers, especially in enhancing their ability to use smartphones to produce compelling short films addressing various human rights issues affecting women living in marginalized settings.  The young girls learned to how produce short film highlighting economic inequality, gender-based violence, climate injustice, digital misogyny, a lack of gender-responsiveness, political and civic participation. The larger scope of the training program is to empower those young female short film makers to challenge the social system that is oppressive and discriminatory towards women.

Prof. Indika Ferdinando, a national and international award-winning Sri Lankan theatre practitioner and film director conducted the training. Ms. Ayesha Chathurangi, Lecturer at University of the Visual and Performing Arts was the guest trainer who shared her experience with young girls in this field. Hasara Nuwangi, the acting chairperson of CMIL said “it is extremely vital for the women to break their silence against all forms of gender-based violence and human rights violations and articulate their critical narratives. Short-film is an inspiration tool to challenge the system of oppression and to create a positive narrative.

The initiative Film Incubator for Equality is supported by the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Colombo.

Young female short-film makers learned the art of creating powerful stories advocating women’s human rights. They learned how to shoot and edit video using freely available mobile applications such as Kenemaster.  Each participant was given individualized training on developing emotionally powerful characters, story ideas, and converting them into meaningful films reflecting the voice of women.

During the training, those female short-film makers shared their own insights, thoughts, and life experiences regarding how violence again women and human rights violations faced by women is systematically normalized. Participating in various practical sessions young girls explained how they face violence in public transport. Some shared their experience faced gender-based discrimination. Some indicated that sexual bribery has been a serious issue.

Divya Rasathurai, a young female short-filmmaker stated “when producing films on the lived reality of the women, it is important to use metaphoric approaches and to engage the audience emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and physically. Women should not be portrayed as powerless, helpless, voiceless and vulnerable individual”.

The same trainings will be conducted in the eastern and the southern provinces too. Under the film incubator for equality project, 76 young female films makers will be trained on promoting greater equality and gender justice.

CMIL is working closely with university of Jaffna, university of Trincomalee campus and University of visual and performing arts in designing a digital curriculum on film making through smartphones and addressing human right issues affecting women. The digital course will be available free of charge for all film enthusiasts in Sri Lanka.