Ray of Hope
2025 NOMINEE - BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
2024
Canada / Sri Lanka
96 mins
NYC Premiere
Documentary Film Competition
| Ryan Singh, Nikila Cole | |
| Ryan Singh, Patricia Scarlett | |
| Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Subject), Sutha Shanmugarajah (Subject), Collins Perinpanayagam (Subject), Maya D'Elia (Subject) | |
| Implied Violence |
The 26-year Sri Lankan civil war forced countless Eelam Tamils, including former Canadian MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan, to flee abroad. Her experiences of war and displacement ignited her advocacy. In 2013, a return to Sri Lanka unearthed traumatic memories as she faced government surveillance tied to her community’s suffering. RAY OF HOPE examines the Eelam Tamil diaspora’s struggle for justice and healing. Through Rathika’s journey, the film explores the shared trauma of displacement and the pursuit of accountability and hope.
About the Director
Award-winning filmmaker, Ryan Singh’s first feature documentary is a labour of love focused on amplifying the Tamil story of survival and resilience.
A critically acclaimed choreographer/dancer/filmmaker, Nikila Cole transitioned into film, circling the globe with her 11-year-old daughter to create the Vision TV/PBS documentary WANDERINGS: A JOURNEY TO CONNECT. Her film, INTIMACIES won the Audience Vote for Best Documentary at the Palm Springs Int’l Film Festival.
Reviews
Decolonization, conflict, and immigration: The case of Sri Lanka’s Tamils – Winter Film Festival, by Dr. Despina Afentouli
Award-Winning Documentary RAY OF HOPE Invited to Submit Transcript to Oscar Archives – EIN Newswire
Producer Ryan Singh, former MP collaborate on documentary – Playback, by Ahmed Dirie
Real Life Matters DBoss with Former Canadian MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan Documentary Film “Ray Of Hope – DBoss
Interviews
Photos (Click on Photo to View)
Awards
2024 Socan Foundation Award – Andrés Galindo Arteaga – Best Score
2024 97th Academy Awards Qualifying
2024 Romford Film Festival – Best Documentary and Audience Choice Awards
2024 Hamilton Black Film Festival – Best Documentary Director
2024 International Black and Diversity Film Festival – Best Movie Trailer, Best Movie Poster, Best Documentary Film by a Black Producer
2024 Markham Canada International Film Festival – Honorary Mention
2024 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival – Best Documentary Film
2024 DC South Asian Film Festival – Best Documentary Film Jury Mention
2024 Toronto Tamil International Film Festival – Best Documentary
2024 Brampton International Nollywood Film Festival – Best Documentary Film and Best Directors
