Call for Papers: 3rd Southeast Asian Cinemas Conference

Call for papers

3RD ANNUAL NEW SOUTHEAST ASIAN CINEMAS CONFERENCE
THEORY AND PRACTICE: SOUTHEAST ASIAN CINEMAS AND FILMMAKING

KUALA LUMPUR
DECEMBER 15-17, 2006


The 3rd New Southeast Asian Cinemas conference (2006) emphasizes the intersection of film theories and cinema practices in Southeast Asia. How can we discuss and frame cinema and filmmaking in these countries without falling into the binaristic fallacy of western theory versus Asian cinemas in an age of globalisation? What do film genres such as melodrama, comedy, sci-fi, action flicks and the musical look like in SEAsia? And how does one combine specific cultural and sociological approaches in discussing Southeast Asian films?

Each year, the conference has included film practitioners in recognition of the crucial role they have played in increasing film education and discourse in the region. We have previously provided space for independent filmmakers and screenings of their works, focused on curriculum development and the importance of film archival work. This year the conference seeks to broaden the focus from independent filmmaking to analysing the emergence of alternative cultures of cinema in the region such as film clubs, festival programmers and organisers, fan clubs, and film (online) zines in recognition of the important role they have played in support of independent filmmaking and in heightening cinematic discourse in the region.


We invite panels on Film Theory and SEAsian Cinema, particularly questions concerning:

genres such as sci-fi, comedy, melodrama, action flicks;
the short film form;
documentary filmmaking: politics and poetics
film auteurship (on Garin Nugroho, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, James Lee, etc.)
Gender and sexuality
new media, indie & underground (particularly in relation to alternative modes of production,
distribution and exhibition)alternative sites of reception and cultures of cinema (including activist video, the role of film
clubs, film magazines, fan clubs, festival organisers, specialist film zines & websites, film educationalists in unconventional settings)

Deadline: 31st May, 2006

please send an abstract (max. 500 words) to: Sophia Harvey at sophfeline@earthlink.net, or gaikcheng.khoo@anu.edu.au or mayadadol@yahoo.com. We are currently attempting to get funding for travel subsidies and accommodations but cannot offer any as yet.