Abstract:
In Sri Lanka, the management of water resources and the establishment of
sustainable socio-ecological systems face formidable challenges, exacerbated by cli-
mate change and rapid urbanization. Effective community engagement is indispensa-
ble in tackling these issues, yet there exists a significant knowledge gap regarding the
utility of documentary films as tools to facilitate such engagement. This research
study sets out to investigate whether documentary films can effectively stimulate
community engagement and contribute to the establishment of sustainable and resili-
ent socio-ecological systems and water management practices in Sri Lanka. This re-
search aimed to evaluate the impact of documentary films in raising awareness and
mobilizing communities for improved sustainability, identify influencing factors, and
provide actionable recommendations for water resources management and the estab-
lishment of sustainable socio-ecological systems in Sri Lanka. Employing a mixed-
methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods, the research
collected data through surveys conducted among selected communities, content anal-
ysis of documentary films addressing water management and socio-ecological issues
in Sri Lanka, and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders including filmmakers,
community leaders, and water management experts. Preliminary findings suggest that
documentary films possess the potential to be potent tools for enhancing awareness
and encouraging community engagement in water management and socio-ecological
resilience efforts in Sri Lanka. Communities exposed to well-crafted documentary
films demonstrated increased knowledge, more positive attitudes, and a greater incli-
nation to take action toward sustainable water management. However, the effective-
ness of these films is influenced by factors such as the quality of narrative, cultural
relevance, and accessibility. Collaboration between filmmakers, government agen-
cies, NGOs, and local communities emerges as a crucial factor for maximizing the
impact of documentary films in the promotion of sustainable socio-ecological systems
and water management. These preliminary findings provide valuable insights into the
potential of documentary films as a means of community engagement and offer path-
ways for leveraging this medium to address pressing socio-ecological challenges in
Sri Lanka
