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  3. Film Festival Cultures

Film Festival Cultures (SCRN90006)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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July
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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. Students will further enhance their knowledge of film festivals either by devising and mounting a film festival as a group project, or attending and reporting on an existing film festival. 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.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Describe the history and development of international film festivals from the post-WWII period to the present day.
  • Identify the characteristics of film festivals as networked, time-bound and experiential cultural events.
  • Analyse film festivals' relationship to international cinema culture, aesthetics and industry, both historically and in the contemporary global arts scene.
  • Correlate the relationship between film festivals and the public sphere, audience communities, identity groupings and activism.
  • Synthesise knowledge of film festivals' purpose, characteristics and history by engaging with a real-life film festival event in Melbourne.

Generic skills

At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:

  • 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
  • Have understood the principles of general event management.

Last updated: 11 July 2025