Call for papers: Caribbean Cinema Now

Over the last decade, there has been an unprecedented upsurge in film production across the nations of the Caribbean, yet little has been said in scholarly circles about these works or the nascent institutions that have helped facilitate their production and circulation. In September 2015, as part of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff), The ttff, in association with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Film Programme, is inviting proposals for papers to be presented in Port of Spain, Trinidad, from September 24–26, during this year’s edition of the Festival (September 15–29).

Proposals for 30-minute presentations are welcome on any topic related to Caribbean cinema over the last ten years, but of especial interest are topics such as:

• Updating the canon of Caribbean cinema: What films have emerged in the last ten years that are worthy of being considered alongside Caribbean classics such as Memorias del subdesarrollo, Rue cases nègres or The Harder They Come?

• A new generation of auteurs: Filmmakers of note who have emerged or consolidated their reputations during this decade. These filmmakers include Raoul Peck, Leticia Toños, Storm Saulter, Yao Ramesar, Kiki Alvarez and Laura Guzmán.

• National and regional developments: Trends within specific national contexts or as seen across the region.

• Transnational practices: Industrial or artistic collaborations; diaspora filmmakers.

• Institutional developments: the growth and importance of film festivals, film schools and film commissions in specific countries or across the region. Or perhaps the ongoing need for institutional development in many parts of the region.

• New technologies and Caribbean cinema: The role of digital technologies for the production and circulation of Caribbean films.

Proposals should include a title, an abstract (maximum 300 words) and biographical details for the author or authors, and must be submitted no later than April 30th, 2015. The organisers anticipate using the event’s proceedings as the basis of an edited scholarly publication.

Additionally, delegates will be able to attend many of the events and screenings happening during the ttff, one of the region’s premier film events.

Proposals should be sent via email to BOTH Dr Christopher Meir (Christopher.meir@sta.uwi.edu) and Dr Bruce Paddington (bruce@ttfilmfestival.com), no later than 30 April 2015.

Caribbean Cinema Now is being held in association with the UWI Film Programme during the Caribbean Film Mart, which is being made possible with the financial contribution of the European Union (European Development Fund) and the assistance of the ACP Group of States.

Image: a still from Jean Gentil (Laura Amelia Guzmán and Israel Cárdenas, 2010)