Film Festival Cultures

Undergraduate | 2026

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area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
SOCI 3001
Course ID icon
Course ID
201039
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
3
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course charts the development of international film festival cultures and their historical and contemporary role in art house and national cinemas. Students will examine in detail the history of selected film festivals and demonstrate how the year-round festival circuit facilitates global flows of films across the world. To extend this learning, students will go behind the scenes at the celebrated Adelaide Film Festival to investigate the processes behind the curation, exhibition and distribution of the films selected to appear at the festival and the logistical challenges at play during the planning phase.

Course learning outcomes

  • Contextualise the history and cultural imperatives of film festivals and how they operate within local and global environments
  • Evaluate the aims of selected case studies of local and international film festivals
  • Apply theoretical and critical skills to practical tasks in the running of a film festival
  • Explain the professional activities and issues involved in the running of a film festival
  • Discuss the importance of a film festival as cultural and civic event
  • Demonstrate a creative response to a series of films screened at a film festival

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A