Module Directory

Film festivals have traditionally been global phenomena and played a pivotal role in the film industry ecosystem. In the 21st century, and due to the rise of digital technologies and telecommunications, festivals have become even more important to numerous independent filmmakers who seek routes of distribution (and self-distribution) of their films. The module offers a historical and contemporary examination of the multifaceted role of film festivals in validating, exhibiting and distributing as well as in the process of canonisation of film. While it explores established A-list festivals (such as Cannes, Venice, BFI LFF, Locarno), it also looks at ‘smaller’, niche festivals (such as London Asian Film Festival, and London Migration Film Festival) whose number and impact have increased over the years.

Through a dynamic combination of lectures, seminars, presentations, group projects, masterclasses, field trips and the organisation of a one-day film festival at the Colchester campus, the module will equip students with advanced knowledge of the key roles involved in producing film festivals (directors, curators, juries, audiences, filmmakers). Students who are filmmakers will also gain an understanding of the necessary steps that need to be followed before they get their films screened at festivals as well as of the ways they may capitalise on such opportunities to progress their careers within the film industry.

The aims of this module are:

• To provide a historical and contemporary understanding of the role of film festivals within the film industry ecosystem


• To equip students with in-depth knowledge of the workings of and individual roles involved in film festivals


• Through the organisation of a film festival, to equip students with fundamental skills in film programming and organising film festivals

To provide students who are filmmakers an understanding of the processes involved in participating in a film festival as a filmmaker.

By the end of this module, students will have:

1. The ability to critically evaluate the ways in which film festivals function within the film industry ecosystem


2. A critical understanding of the workings of and individual roles involved in film festivals


3. An ability to orally present a film festival proposal


4. An ability to curate a film festival programme as a team


5. The skills and knowledge to develop and organise a one-day film festival as a team

An ability to reflect on their individual role within the process of producing and delivering the one-day film festival.

Weeks 2-11 (Lectorials, Field Trip, Masterclass, Project supervision and Screenings)

Weeks 6-11 Tutorials

2. What is a Film Festival?


3. Why Film Festivals?


4. The European Film Festival: Cannes, Berlin, Venice and beyond


5. A Festival for Every Taste: Niche programming


6. Being there: Living the festival


7. Field trip: Norwich Film Festival


8. Curating the film festival


9. Masterclass by Film Festival Industry professional


10. Project supervision


11. The Future of Film Festivals

Weekly schedule:

Weeks 2-11

• two-hour lectorial or Masterclass or half-day Field Trip or Project Supervision
• Screening (apart from weeks 9 and 10)
• Reading

 Weeks 6-11

• two-hour tutorials

The lectorials will involve a variety of methods and materials – e.g. lectures, group discussions, research-based exercises, etc. – which will allow all students to actively participate in class. All the activities of the module (apart from the field trips) will be accessible by students who study online, providing therefore equal opportunities for participation in class.

In the tutorials (all students in one class), students will be receiving guidance as they develop the organisation and delivery of a film festival on campus (assignment 2).