Film Festival Cultures

Subject SCRN90006 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

July, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Intensively taught 12 - 21 July: 24-hours of seminars and 13-hours of screenings

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 37
Total Time Commitment: 120
Prerequisites: Admission to the Master of Art in Cinema Management, Master of Arts Management or Master of Art Curatorship.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: None

Coordinator

Dr Mark Nicholls

Contact

Mark Nicholls
markdn@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject is a study of the development of international film festival cultures and their historical and contemporary role in art house and national cinemas. Through an examination of the history and the basic operations of selected film festivals (such as Cannes, Berlin, Sundance and Melbourne), the changing nature of film festival cultures will be considered. The popularisation of film festivals and their role in international event and celebrity culture will be assessed in relation to the increasingly limited and commercialised world of art, experimental and avant-garde cinema. The film festival is thus considered as a key site of international film culture. As a place where all aspects of film culture (art, economic, entertainment) come together, the festival is demonstrated as case study in the business of contemporary filmmaking, its past and its future.
Objectives: Students who complete this subject will:
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the history and development of international film festivals and their role in the history of cinema;
  • be able to examine the nature of the film festival as cultural and civic event; and
  • be able to understand the role of the international film festival cultures in relation to commercial and art house cinemas.
Assessment: A 5000 word essay 100% (due in the third week of September).
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who successfully complete this subject will:
  • have examined the management and basic operations of film festivals;
  • have studied the relationship between film festival management and international film production, distribution and exhibition; and
  • have understood the principles of general event management.
Notes: This is a winter intensive subject held from 12 - 21 July 2010.
Related Course(s): Master of Arts Management
Master of Cinema Management

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