Call for contributions: 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)
Event presentation
For more than two decades now, research departments and PhD programs have been developed
in film schools, partly in 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, visibilit
Concepts and case studiesexploring 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”) and
how 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
N.B.: The link between research and teaching (up to Master’s level) will not be the main focus of
the meeting, in order to address fully the post-graduate and research levels, with a view to
creating new collaborations and strategies across Europe.
The conference language is English.
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.
