Call for Papers:
‘African Film and Social Change’
conference
University of Westminster
7-8 November 2015
University of Westminster
rapidly across the continent and are increasingly
implicated in both directed and non-directed social
change. Surprisingly, film’s significant role in social
change processes in Africa is hugely understated. Not
only are film and videos a source of daily entertainment
for many in Africa, they also affect and reflect ongoing
struggles for social justice, social activism, civic
engagement, civic dialogue, community building,
social capital, community development and cultural
vitality. Films made by African directors such as the
Oscar nominated ‘Timbuktu’ seem to provide an
alternative to the Western media’s perspective on how
terrorism affects the lives of ordinary people in some
countries in Africa, as part of a new trend. New and
old African film and screen cultures are increasingly
important for public and private life on the continent
and yet this has not been sufficiently reflected in academic
work. Specific films have raised awareness and under-
standing and enhanced civic participation and contributed
to social change. Arguably, the new ICTs and social media
environments are making moving images in Africa more
effective. Evolving policies, attitudes and use patterns of
screen cultures in Africa have potential for increased
access, participation and empowerment.
Media Centre, will bring together academic scholars and
practitioners to discuss how policymakers, filmmakers,
and audiences are implicated in changing social relations,
affecting the kinds of moving images they can make or
want to be made. Key questions relate to how film screen
cultures in Africa have advanced or subverted social
change in Africa. We are concerned to bring to the fore
sub-themes of changing film production environments,
shifts in funding mechanisms for African film, the role of
audiences/users, regulation debates and African film’s
potential for human development.To address these and
similar issues relating to film, screen cultures and social
change in Africa, we invite scholars to submit panel
proposals and/ or abstracts in the following and related
areas:
- Theoretical Issues on Screen Cultures and Social Change
- Citizen empowerment and film in Africa
- Film Music and Social Change in Africa
- The effectiveness of Comedy and Satire in promoting change
- African Film in the era of digital platforms
- Human development and Film in Africa
- Film and politics, persuasion and electioneering
- Film and Anti-Corruption Campaigns in Africa
- Health Communication and Film in Africa
- Old Media and New Film Practices in Africa
- Gender Politics in African Film
- Regulation of Film in Africa
- Resistance, Activism and Film Cultures in Africa
- Film Practices and Non-Governmental Organisations in Africa
- Film and Television Education in the Digital Age
- From Audiences to Consumer-content Producers
- Mobile Film Practices in Africa
Deadline for abstracts
The conference organizers welcome abstracts that feature high quality conceptual papers, as well as qualitative and quantitative empirical research papers. Abstracts from individuals including graduate students are welcome
The new deadline for abstracts is Wednesday 31 August 2015. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 15 September 2015. Abstracts should be 300 words long. They must include the presenter’s name, affiliation, email and postal address, together with the title of the paper. Please send abstracts to journalism@westminster.ac.uk
Programme and registration
This 2-day conference will take place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2015. The fee for registration (which applies to all participants, including presenters) will be £150 with a concessionary rate of £75 for students, to cover all conference documentation, refreshments and administration costs.
Registration will open at the end of September 2015.
For more information, please visit: http://www.westminster.ac.uk/africa-media/events/call-for-papers-african-film-and-social-change