In Sri Lanka, fewer than 1% of filmmakers behind the camera are women. This reality means many perspectives remain unseen, but Chevening alumna Lanka Bandaranayake is rewriting that script.
Through her production company, Lanka Cine, Lanka is creating opportunities for women to tell their own stories and shape the country’s cinematic landscape.
“The founding of Lanka Cine was a turning point. It gave women a space to create, to lead, and to challenge outdated norms. We are making films that speak to our realities while resonating with audiences worldwide.”
Chevening played a crucial role in broadening Lanka’s vision. Studying Directing Film and Television at Bournemouth University in 2022 provided her with both the academic foundation and the international network needed to elevate Sri Lankan women filmmakers onto the world stage.
“Chevening opened doors to global conversations about representation in cinema. It allowed me to form connections that have helped elevate Sri Lankan women filmmakers onto the world stage.”
Lanka Bandaranayake (second from right) with her fellow Bournemouth University students.
During her studies, Lanka joined the South Asian VOD research network, a platform that has since enabled her to highlight Sri Lankan films on digital platforms.
“Visibility is everything. If we want women’s stories to be told, we need them to be seen.”
Returning home, she expanded Lanka Cine’s scope beyond filmmaking to include social entrepreneurship and research. She is now collaborating as a South Asian industry partner in Bournemouth University’s Developing Media Decolonisation Imaginary (DMDI) research project.
“This collaboration is vital in reshaping ethical transnational media partnerships. It’s about ensuring that narratives from the Global South are told on equal footing with those from the Global North.”
Looking ahead, Lanka is committed to growing Lanka Cine into a powerhouse for impactful storytelling. She is also working to establish a Sri Lankan Female Filmmakers’ Network, offering mentorship, training, and advocacy for women in the industry. “We need systemic change. This network will be a space where female filmmakers can support each other, share resources, and push for greater inclusion.”
With her passion, leadership, and the support of the Chevening network, Lanka is transforming Sri Lankan cinema—one story at a time.
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