AMU3555 Film festivals: Exhibition, distribution and curatorship part 1

The unit examines the historical and contemporary role of film festivals within the global economy of world cinema, as well as the development of global film festival culture. It focuses on the relationship between filmmakers, film industries and film festivals, to understand exhibition, distribution and curatorship strategies and challenges of contemporary world cinema. In the first part, students will engage with critical approaches in film festival scholarship, and debates between different stakeholders and practitioners, to understand how the film festival emerges as a key site of global film culture, its popularisation and role within the wider landscape of international events and celebrity culture. Through several case studies of a diverse group of film festivals from around the globe (from “Red Carpet” film festivals to human rights documentary festivals), and the analysis of their history, development and management, the unit will provide the students with the skills and knowledge to devise and mount a film festival. The unit will be delivered through a variety of teaching and learning approaches with a