CPSP filmmaker Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston explores how storytelling through film can raise awareness and drive meaningful change.
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“I want to tell my story so that others like me will hear it and not be ashamed to tell theirs.”
(acid attack survivor)
The story that stayed with me
Years ago, I met a 30-year-old acid attack survivor. Her husband had thrown acid at her over family disputes, intending to teach her a lesson.
At the time, her son was just four years old. Her family refused to let me speak with her, and her in-laws threatened me. But she wanted to share her story—she was no longer ashamed. She had lost everything, including her son, who refused to go near her. She could only watch him grow up from a distance.
Her words, “I want to tell my story so that others like me will hear it,” have stayed with me ever since.
For many of us, our contributions—through our work, life, or actions—matter. Contribution is what we give: our skills, time, effort, or ideas. Impact is the effect these contributions have.
The conflict between purpose and use
I captured this survivor’s experience after being commissioned by an international organization to document stories of violence against women.
I believed her story would reach others like her. Unfortunately, the film never made it to them. Instead, it was shown to funders. While this was expected, it wasn’t the brief I had in mind.
This made me question the ethics of storytelling. Were these stories being used primarily for funding rather than for change? Had I, unknowingly, used her?
The disillusionment led me to step away from documentary filmmaking for years, shifting to entertainment and corporate work. It paid well, but it didn’t fulfill me.
Seeking meaningful projects
I returned to documentary filmmaking with a new approach, seeking projects that felt meaningful and had an impact—not just for audiences but also for those involved in the production.
With the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP) at the University of Edinburgh, I found a space to collaborate with academics, doctors, and community workers to tell important stories. It wasn’t always easy. Convincing experts and fieldworkers that storytelling didn’t need to cover everything—but rather serve as a gateway to understanding—was a challenge.
I also prioritized working with local production crews, ensuring I was the only outsider. This helped create a more comfortable and authentic experience for the community. Building trust with the crew took time, but the effort was worth it. We weren’t just making films—we were investing in local industries and talent.
The link between academic research and filmmaking
Independent filmmakers tell stories that matter, seeking to uncover reasons behind incidents and amplify unheard voices. Documentary filmmaking mirrors academic research, following three key stages:
- Project Conceptualization – Researching, meeting communities, experts, and authorities, and drafting a rough script.
- Production – The shortest yet most intense phase, where filming takes place.
- Post-Production – Reviewing, transcribing, and piecing together footage to tell a cohesive story through multiple revisions.
However, unlike academic research papers, documentaries communicate messages through lived experiences and visual storytelling. While some may see this as simplistic, it allows for a deep emotional connection.
Universities hold vast amounts of research and data. When combined with filmmaking, these insights can create powerful narratives that influence policy and shift perspectives.
Research provides the facts, but film creates emotional resonance.
Engaging audiences and raising awareness
My latest documentary for CPSP, Her Name Was Sita (2023), has been screened in over ten countries and continues to travel. It explores how shame and societal expectations of being a ‘good woman’ drive many women to self-harm.
The film was based on academic research on shame and self-harm, as well as studies on the regulation of hazardous pesticides. The post-screening discussions revealed how deeply people relate to these themes—whether in Denmark, the U.K., India, Nepal, Kenya, or South Africa, women saw themselves in the film.
So, did it reach the right audience? I believe it did. And it continues to do so.
Documentaries have a unique ability to bring real-world issues to light through personal narratives. They humanize global challenges, making them relatable to both policymakers and the public.
Each screening of Her Name Was Sita generated meaningful discussions, revealing the universality of shame and self-harm among women across cultures.
Feedback from the screenings, as shown below, revealed that the film deepened understanding of why means restriction is a powerful suicide prevention strategy—a core message we wanted to convey.
By presenting complex issues through simple, relatable stories, documentaries expose systemic oppression and abuse. They encourage conversations, empower survivors, and provide activists with tools to advocate for change.
Measuring impact
The influence of a documentary is difficult to quantify, but it can be assessed through:
- Audience Engagement – How many people watched and discussed the film?
- Policy Changes – Did it contribute to legal reforms?
- Community Involvement – Has it inspired activism?
- Media Coverage – Did it shape public discourse?
When created with integrity and genuine community engagement, documentaries do more than tell stories. They bridge the gap between awareness, education, and real change.
I was humbled and honoured to learn that one of my films played a role in the Nepal Pesticide Board’s recent decision to ban two hazardous pesticides.
Knowing that storytelling can drive real change reminds me why I do this work.
Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston
Filmmaker, Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP)
Heshani is a visual storyteller who has worked for over 20 years as a documentary filmmaker. She works with the team at CPSP to tell stories around pesticide poisoning and suicide prevention, ensuring that the Centre’s work is seen and can be related to a general audience.
Heshani’s films can be found on the CPSP YouTube channel.