The BRAFFTV Film and Media International Conference was created in order to introduce an educational space within the festival where researchers and practitioners can discuss and present their research and work in film and media. The conference aims to establish an annual meeting, which can build a permanent dialogue between peers from several countries, promoting intellectual exchanges and sharing creative experiences while interacting with the events promoted during the festival. With this purpose the BRAFFTV is partnering with universities and establishing integration between academia and festival that aims to forge a enriching exchange between researchers, students, professionals and community.
This year, the goal of the conference is to propose a broad debate, emphasizing the need to evaluate the increasing use of digital screens in contemporary society and how people and countries, such as Brazil and Canada, are dealing with their own image, identity and digital cultural space both artistic and social and political. The Conference aims to be a locus of debate about the phenomena that surrounds contemporary cinema and media studies. It is an opportunity for exposure and for discussion from several theoretical perspectives on the field of audiovisual. Thus, the conference aims to examine and question the differences in digital practices among several countries, the responses from the global society, and the possibilities and future strategies arising by digital culture.
When and Where?
Toronto, Canada — October 19-20, 2013
University of Toronto, Victoria College (140 Charles Street W., Toronto)
What is the theme?
Film, media and social engagement in the digital age, with special interest in Brazil and Canada.
The consumerism of digital screens and their use in contemporary society is growing fast and getting more significance than ever. Social media increasingly play a key role in major cities acting as an alternative source of information to the mainstream media, and even as a free platform for public assemblies often replacing the physical spaces of associations, cooperatives and cultural centers. During the recent public demonstrations that recently invaded the streets of Brazil, or even during political protests in countries such as Turkey and Egypt, social media served as an important strategy for social resistance and political demonstration.
Film and media practitioners and educators have been expanding the use of digital through new experiences with unusual and innovative technical and artistic “approaches”, as well as researchers and academics are questioning and analyzing these new practices, which are increasingly dominating global society.
How people and countries are dealing with the advent of new technologies reflects social problems and makes us deepen the debate on issues such as our own identity and the state of research conducted in these countries.
How countries are acting towards this new phenomena? Does globalization standardized the use of new media? How Brazil and Canada are reacting?
Official Language: English
What are the Key Topics?
The conference is open to academics and practitioners (artists, filmmakers, videomakers, webdesigners) from all areas that examine and question film, media and social engagement in the digital age. Proposals may be based on empirical evidence, as well as on critical and/or theoretical interventions. The following key topics will be emphasized during the conference, but submissions may well go beyond these areas:
1. Film, Media and New Technologies: History, Theory, and Methodology
2. Film and Digital Screen Aesthetics
3. Analogical versus Digital
4. Film and Digital Animation
5. Games: Narrative and Interactivity
6. Challenges and New Perspectives in Audiovisual Production
7. International Co-Production, Third Parties and the Process of Globalization of National Cinemas
8. Internet and Streaming Video
9. Hacktivism
10. Digital Art and Literature (eBooks, eReaders)
11. Social Media Engagement (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Orkut)
Who can participate?
Academics and Practitioners (artists, filmmakers, videomakers, webdesigners, new media developers) from all areas.
Important Dates:
Abstract Due: August 25th
Acceptance Notifications: within 10-day after abstract submission
Registration: opens July 10th
Conference: October 19-20
Organizing Committee
Dr. Ricardo Sternberg (University of Toronto)
Dr. Hudson Moura (Ryerson University/ OCAD University)
Ms. Sonia Regina Soares da Cunha (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte)
Cecília Queiroz (BRAFFT