Eitai: Transforming Research into Film for Global Impact

by Sally Bashford-Squires

My journey to Uganda began over a decade ago when I travelled as a teacher with a charity, invited to work alongside educators to develop active learning approaches. However, I quickly realised that in this rural area of Uganda, that before learning could take place, basic health needs such as clean water and food had to be met. I began fundraising within my community and managed to support the building of a water harvester and a school on a remote island.

With growing support, I founded a charity. Yet as a white, privileged woman from the UK leading work in Uganda, I felt out of my depth. I wanted to be sure that our efforts were genuinely community-led. This led me to study for an MA in Public Health, but that only deepened my questions. I decided to pursue a PhD examining the impact of social enterprise on women’s health in Teso, Uganda, believing that academia could amplify my voice for global health equity.

Teso, a rural and marginalised area of north-eastern Uganda, has endured decades of hardship including civil war, cattle raids, HIV/AIDS, climate change, and poverty. Yet its people are defined not by despair but by resilience and collective care. That is what drew me to tell their story.

When I began my PhD research in Uganda, I was struck by the resilience and creativity of the Teso communities I worked alongside. Their stories of togetherness, survival, and innovation were too powerful to remain confined within academic journals and conferences. I wanted to find a way to share these voices more widely, both with the global community and with the people of Teso themselves.

That desire led to my creation of a documentary called Eitai, an Ateso word meaning community togetherness. The documentary transforms academic research into a medium that is accessible, empathetic, and emotive.

Eitai – Community togetherness in rural Uganda

Eitai is a story of resilience and hope through communitarian ethics in Teso, a marginalised region of north-eastern Uganda, where inspiring community leaders are rebuilding their society after conflict, disease, and poverty through social enterprise projects that involve tailoring, soap making, rearing and alongside drama, dance, music, and even football.

The story is relayed through footage of communal life in the region, stories of resilience. and music, drama, and dance. Eitai also features several remarkable community leaders whose narratives illuminate the power of grassroots resilience:

Aruo Christine speaks passionately about the power of self-love and acceptance for people living with HIV/AIDS, using music, drama, and dance to inspire hope and healing.

Otime James Robert, who founded his NGO after the conflict with nothing more than a few guinea fowl eggs, now supports over 3,000 individuals in his community.

Asekenye  Joyce advocates for the value of indigenous knowledge, promoting sustainable living and respect for the land.

Obore Charles leads a football initiative that challenges gender norms, showing that girls can excel in sport and leadership when given the chance.

Together, they exemplify how local innovation and collaboration can drive meaningful social change.

Why Film?

Traditional research dissemination often remains locked within academic circles, which is important but inaccessible to many who might benefit from it. Documentary film offers a way to bridge that gap. With its ability to combine visual storytelling, music, and lived experience, Eitai captures the richness of Ugandan traditions such as storytelling, dance, and music while highlighting pressing health and social issues.

By weaving research with the lived realities of Teso communities, the film generates dialogue, creates empathy, raises awareness, and encourages social action.

The Journey of Making Eitai

Creating the film required deep collaboration and trust. We did not just film interviews; we immersed ourselves in the community, capturing everyday life such as children playing, farmers tilling the soil, and songs. This grounding in the rhythm of Teso was essential to maintaining authenticity.

Challenges abounded. Many community members initially wanted to perform rather than reveal their authentic selves. We overcame this by taking time to listen, allowing intergenerational stories to surface naturally. We had only two weeks to film, so days were long and full, but we knew there were many more stories still to tell.

The process was as demanding as writing a thesis, from budgeting and editing to translation and the emotional investment required. But the outcome was worth it: a film that gives voice back to those whose experiences shaped the research.

Impact So Far

Over 1,000 people have seen Eitai through screenings in London, Nottingham, Kampala, Morocco, Austria, and rural Uganda, across cinemas, schools, universities, and community spaces.

The film was discussed with an MP in the UK Parliament and was listed by Springer Nature among the 100 most influential global public health films. It was also shortlisted for the International Sociological Association Film Festival in Rabat, as a finalist for Jackson Docfest in the USA, and nominated for The Big Syn – a Londonfilm festival run by the United Nations which promotes films that highlight action towards the 2030 sustainable development goals.

Screenings have inspired audiences worldwide. In Nottinghamshire, children raised thousands of pounds to build a borehole for a vulnerable Ugandan community. But the most moving moment of all was returning the film to Teso, to the very people whose strength and hope built it.

What’s Next for Eitai?

Film Festivals and Conferences: The film continues its journey on the international circuit.

Education: Eitai is being used as a teaching tool in universities to inspire students to think differently about research dissemination.

Community Support: Proceeds from film downloads go directly back to the communities featured.

You can watch the trailer or download the film via www.etai.co.uk.

A Model for Academic Storytelling

Eitai demonstrates how research can step beyond the page to make real-world impact. For academics seeking to extend the reach of their work, documentary film provides a powerful medium. It preserves research integrity while fostering empathy, accessibility, and most importantly, social justice.

While journal articles or book chapters may reach only a few hundred readers at best, documentaries have the power to connect with far wider and more diverse audiences, extending beyond academic circles to the very communities and stakeholders who most need to see and engage with the work.

Since the film’s release, the Ateso NGOs featured have begun working together, a vital step in an era of global aid cuts. As one of the project leaders reflected:

“Let's see how we can help each other and support each other. What can I borrow from you what can I take from you? The idea coming out from Eitai proves applies to all the groups…How can we realise the little we already have to ensure that it grows into something that moves to the future... You are giving us a push to do better...we shall build ourselves into a very big tree and other birds will come and perch and take the fruit we have planted. We shall support each other to stand.” Alice, Action Aid Lead

Dr Ekure, prominent orthopedic surgeon in Uganda, Founder of Kumi Orthopaedic Centre, Author and public speaker captures the essence of Eitai in his review:

"This documentary beautifully captures our rich culture, painful history, and the unbreakable spirit of our communities. It is a powerful tribute to the resilience of the Iteso people.

Watching the Eitai documentary reminded me of how far we have come as a people. It’s a timely reminder of the value of unity, hard work, and preserving our identity. It is also a testament of what people can achieve when they work together. This documentary is more than just a story of Teso – it’s a call to action for the young generation to reconnect with their roots and contribute meaningfully to the region’s future. The portrayal of Teso’s struggles and triumphs was deeply moving. It brings to light stories that have long been forgotten but must never be lost."

Eitai reminds us that research should not only inform but also transform. By amplifying community voices through film, we move beyond the written word to create empathy, action, and connection. Stories like those from Teso show that when knowledge is shared with heart, it can change not just understanding, but lives.

Dr Sally Bashford-Squires is a Teaching Fellow within the school of Human Sciences and programme lead for the BSc Extended Public Health at the University of Greenwich.