Sri Lankan Youth Documentary Selected for Screening at Prestigious International Sociology Film Festival
View(s):‘Voices of Hope, Visions of Youth’: An Exploratory Study, a powerful 26-minute documentary spotlighting the life experiences of Sri Lankan youth, was officially selected for screening at the First Film Festival of the 5th International Forum on Sociology, hosted by the International Sociological Association (ISA). The forum was held from 6 to 11 July, 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, with the film screened on 8 July at the University of Mohammad V.
Selected through a globally competitive review process by an international jury, the film is one of only nine shortlisted entries from around the world. Its inclusion marks a significant recognition of Sri Lankan sociological research and youth-centred storytelling on an international stage.
Directed, co-scripted and researched by Dr. Indika Niranjala Devi Bulankulame, a Sociologist and Social Anthropologist at the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), the documentary blends rigorous qualitative research with cinematic narrative techniques. It employs focus group discussions, thematic analysis, and location-based filming to bring to life the voices and aspirations of youth aged 15–29 from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds in Rajagiriya, Sapugaskanda, Eluwankulama, and Yatiyantota.
‘Voices of Hope, Visions of Youth:An Exploratory Study’ Created by CEPA.
The film was first premiered in Colombo in August 2024 to mark International Youth Day, and has since been recognised as a powerful advocacy and educational tool, addressing critical issues such as education, employment, economic pressure, identity, and the future hopes of Sri Lanka’s younger generation, who account for nearly one-quarter of the national population.
This project was supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and produced under CEPA’s ongoing research work on youth development, radicalisation, and social cohesion. According to Dr. Bulankulame, the film aims to reframe research communication by merging visual storytelling with grounded fieldwork, enabling deeper engagement with policy-makers, academics, and the public.
The ISA Forum’s film festival segment was held from 7–10 July, with each screening followed by a moderated discussion. The festival emphasises geographic, gender and thematic diversity, offering a platform for films that engage with social science research in original and impactful ways.
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