Call for Presentations: Research in Film Schools in Turbulent Times

GEECT Thematic Meeting, September 17-19, 2026

On location at Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, Germany

Organized by La Fémis (Paris) and Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF (Potsdam)

https://www.filmuniversitaet.de/artikel/detail/geect-thematic-meeting-research-in-film-schools-in-turbulent-times-open-now

Event presentation

For more than two decades now, research departments and PhD programshave been developed in film schools, partlyn the context of the Bologna process. At this point, the thematic meeting aims to draw up an update on the state of research in film schools in a fast-changing environment. What are the current approaches, topics and methods, the challenges they face and their results? How do we build a stronger research environment and promote research activities as sites of reflection, dialogue and engagement in a troubled context? How does research – in a broad sense as research on as well as through artistic filmmaking practice – contribute to creating more robust, enlightened and open institutions and film professionals?

The aim of this meeting is to map out current evolutions of research practices in a rapidly changing environment and show case studies for research initiatives led by film and television schools, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaborations, practice-based initiatives and artistic research in audiovisual media, emerging topics, and/or partnering with the industry. The event aims to seek new ways to strengthen research at film schools, enabling them to leverage their unique knowledge and skills to strengthen societal resilience in the face of polycrisis.

Axes for contributions

Proposals for contributions are now welcome until June 1, 2026. Presentations will last no more than 20 minutes, coming from film school faculty, researchers, artists, professionals, collaborators, and may focus on the following aspects:

 Ongoing project presentations in the following fields:

• artistic/practice-based research

• research with humanities or social sciences, research with a social impact

• technological or applied research

• interdisciplinary approaches

• knowledge transfer, publications, outcome, visibility

Concepts and case studies

•  exploring institutional innovation (new structures to do research: labs, centers,institutes, networks...)

• involving new research collaborations between various actors: industry, scientific labs, civil society, universities, participatory research, public bodies nationally or at European levels...

• revolving around political or economic stress (“Research under pressure”) andhow to respond to it, e.g. “guerilla” strategies, alternative funding, etc.

• addressing the challenges and opportunities related to PhD, post-graduate, and post-doctoral stages

• identifying synergies between research projects and continuing education

Submission modalities

 Please send a proposal (300 words or fewer) + a short bio (3 to 5 lines, including institutional affiliation and link) of the panellist(s) to the following addresses:

Barbara Turquier: b.turquier@femis.fr, Donata Haag: s.haag@filmuniversitaet.de

Juliane Schiffers: j.schiffers@filmuniversitaet.de

Calendar

Deadline for proposals: June 1, 2026

Review by Organizing Committee: Throughout June 2026

Reply to the panellists: July 1, 2026 Event: September 17-18, 2026

Conditions

The Thematic Meeting will take place in-person on location at Babelsberg on September 17-18. Following the event, a report will be prepared. Please note that for GEECT “thematic meetings”, travel and accommodation expenses are not covered. Erasmus+ institutions may apply for financial support. PhD candidates may be supported to attend the event, under certain conditions. If you are included as a speaker and have no institutional support for your trip, please get back to us