Introduction and Background

The Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka (FPA Sri Lanka) is a non-governmental organization which works to enhance sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice (SRHRJ). FPA Sri Lanka intends to parter with an independent film director to develop a documentary that showcases the ground realities of abortion in Sri Lanka. The documentary will explore the lived experiences and realities surrounding abortion, including the social, cultural, legal, health and service-access dimensions that shape people's experiences through the director’s creative lens and storytelling approach and explore how abortion and reproductive health realities are experienced in other South Asian countries, providing a broader regional perspective.

The documentary is intended to contribute to informed public dialogue on SRHRJ by presenting authentic, evidence-informed and ethically developed stories. The production should ensure that the dignity, privacy, safety and wellbeing of all contributors are protected throughout the research, primary filming and production processes.

The documentary may include perspectives from people with lived experience of abortion, healthcare professionals, legal professionals, researchers, advocates, community representatives and other relevant stakeholders. Particular attention should be given to informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, trauma-sensitive engagement and the avoidance of harm or unnecessary exposure of participants.

Scope of Work

The consultant is required to undertake the research, development, and filming of an independent documentary on abortion in Sri Lanka and in other South Asian Countries to provide a comparative perspective. FPA Sri Lanka will work closely with the selected consultant throughout the assignment and will provide relevant organizational guidance and feedback.

This is a development grant administered by FPA Sri Lanka as a fiscal sponsor and a partner in advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice. Notwithstanding other wording in this TOR, all activities, costs and deliverables under this assignment are intended to be used for research, character development, initial filming and the development of a short teaser/trailer within the agreed grant budget and workplan. References elsewhere to full production, post-production, a draft or final documentary, master files or an archive, which may describe later stages are not obligations under this grant. Any additional work requires mutual written agreement by both parties. Securing further funding is not a condition of this grant.

• Develop the documentary concept, treatment, narrative approach and production plan in consultation with FPA Sri Lanka.

• Complete the project’s administrative requirements and ensure financial transparency.

• Conduct desk and field research to identify relevant stories, contributors, locations and contextual information.

• Identify and engage potential contributors, including people with lived experience, healthcare professionals, lawyers, researchers, advocates and other relevant stakeholders.

• Conduct preliminary interviews and story-development consultations before final filming.

• Develop an appropriate participant safeguarding, risk-assessment and informed-consent process.

• Undertake location scouting, filming, interviews, cinematography and professional sound recording.

• Develop a short cinematic teaser/trailer for awareness, advocacy, partnership and promotional purposes.

Deliverables

• Inception report and production plan, including the documentary concept/treatment, methodology, proposed narrative, work plan, timeline and safeguarding approach.

• Research and participant-development documentation, including identified contributors, preliminary interviews/story consultations, consent and risk-assessment documentation.

• Professionally filmed documentary footage, including interviews and relevant contextual/location footage. This footage is not for publication, release or circulation to safeguard the value and integrity of the final documentary.

• A 2–4-minute cinematic teaser/trailer.

• A brief development and expenditure report to accompany each delivery submission..

Activities

• Conduct desk and field research on the ground realities of abortion in Sri Lanka.

• Identify and engage documentary contributors and relevant stakeholders.

• Conduct preliminary and final interviews.

• Undertake participant safeguarding, informed-consent and confidentiality procedures.

• Conduct filming, cinematography, sound recording and location production.

• Edit and post-produce the documentary and teaser/trailer.

Key Thematic Areas

• Lived experiences and personal realities surrounding abortion.

• Access to information, healthcare and support services.

• Social stigma, confidentiality and fear of disclosure.

• Legal and policy context relating to abortion in Sri Lanka.

• Social, cultural and community factors influencing experiences of abortion.

• Perspectives of healthcare professionals and relevant service providers.

• Psychosocial, financial, family and other practical factors experienced by individuals seeking or undergoing abortion.

• Post-abortion care, support and referral experiences, where relevant Rights, dignity, bodily autonomy and access to sexual and reproductive health services and care.

Ethical and Safeguarding Requirements

• Participation must be voluntary and based on informed consent.

• Participants must be informed about the purpose of the documentary, intended use, audiences/platforms and the nature of their participation.

• Confidentiality and privacy must be protected where anonymity or restricted identification is requested or required.

• The production process must be trauma-sensitive and avoid coercion, unnecessary probing or re-traumatisation.

• Particular care must be taken when engaging people who may face stigma, discrimination, violence, legal or social risks because of their participation.

• Raw footage, recordings, consent forms and other sensitive materials must be securely stored and accessed only by authorized persons.

Information on the Documentary Production

The documentary will focus on the ground realities of abortion in Sri Lanka and South Asia and draw on experiences and perspectives from different geographical, social and professional contexts through the director’s creative approach and subject expertise. The proposal should also indicate the anticipated production crew and technical requirements.

Time Period

The consultant/production team should propose a realistic development timeline from the date of signing the partnership agreement to final delivery. The proposed timeline should cover research, participant and story development, filming, editing, review and finalization. The timetable may be adjusted by mutual written agreement in the event of delayed disbursement or material safeguarding concerns or constraints.

Who May Apply

Experienced documentary directors, filmmakers, production companies or documentary production teams with demonstrated experience in producing professional documentaries and working with sensitive human stories are invited to apply.

Required Technical Capacity

• Proven experience in documentary filmmaking and research-based storytelling.

• Experience in filming and interviewing contributors on sensitive social, health, gender or human-rights issues.

• Professional capacity in cinematography, sound recording, video editing and post-production.

• Demonstrated understanding of informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding and ethical storytelling.

• Experience working in Sri Lanka and familiarity with the Sinhala, Tamil and English language contexts. Proficiency in all three languages, or access to appropriate language support, will be considered an advantage.

Process of Applying

Independent Film Directors/Consultants, production companies with relevant experience and technical capacity are invited to apply by submitting the following documents:

• Brief profile of the consultant/production company/team.

• Relevant portfolio and examples of previous documentary productions, with links where available.

• Technical proposal outlining the understanding of the assignment, proposed documentary approach, methodology and work plan.

• Proposed team composition and roles, where applicable.

• Approach to participant safeguarding, informed consent, confidentiality and ethical storytelling.

• Financial proposal/quotation showing the all-inclusive production cost and major cost components.

• Proof of company registration, where applicable.

Remuneration and Mode of Payment

The Consultant/Production Team shall quote an all-inclusive fee. The quoted amount should cover all anticipated professional and production costs, including professional fees, crew, equipment, travel and accommodation where required, data storage and other necessary expenses within the agreed scope of work.

The payment schedule will be agreed with the selected consultant/production team and linked to the submission and acceptance of agreed deliverables. The proposed payment schedule should be included in the financial proposal.

Any administrative fees or deductions, and the net sum payable to the Consultant/Production Team, must be clearly stated in the financial proposal and agreed in writing before signing the agreement.

Ownership and Use of Materials

Copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the documentary, underlying story and literary works, and all existing and newly created materials developed under this assignment remain with the Director/Production Team and their respective right holders. This Development Grant confers no ownership, equity, revenue share, recoupment entitlement or rights to future funding on FPA Sri Lanka or RFSU. The Director retains final creative and editorial control, subject to applicable law, informed consent and safeguarding. No author’s moral rights are waived.

FPA Sri Lanka is committed to the safety and protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and this role may include contact with these groups. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults in our programs.

FPA Sri Lanka is an equal opportunity employer who will not discriminate on grounds as Age, Gender, Ethnicity, Religion, Marital Status and Disability.

Please email us the documents required under “Process of Applying” on or before Thursday, 29th of October, 2026, citing two non-related referees. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Reference

The Independent Creative Director/consultant or the production team is required to provide relevant documentary portfolio materials and references demonstrating previous experience in documentary production and ethical storytelling.
 

The Executive Director
FPA Sri Lanka
37/27, Bullers Lane,
Colombo 07
Email to careers@fpasrilanka.org
Our website www.fpasrilanka.org
FPA Sri Lanka is an equal opportunity employer