Call for Papers: Rethinking Film Curation in Asian Cinemas
Call for Papers: Rethinking Film Curation in Asian Cinemas
Event Dates: 4–6 September 2025
Location: Asian Film Archive, Singapore
Organized by: Association for Curators and Programmers of Asian Cinemas (ACPAC) & Asian Film Archive (AFA)
Sponsored by: Newcastle University, UK
Abstract Submission Deadline: 15th April 2025
The Association for Curators and Programmers of Asian Cinemas (ACPAC) is delighted to announce its launch symposium, Rethinking Film Curation in Asian Cinemas. This event is co-hosted with the Asian Film Archive (AFA) in Singapore and sponsored by Newcastle University, UK.
ACPAC was established as part of the research project Decolonising Film Curation: Asian Cinemas as Method, funded by Newcastle University. The Asian Film Archive (AFA), an institution dedicated to promoting Asian cinema and nurturing the development of film programmers, organises screenings, activities, and events to foster a deeper appreciation for Asian cinema. With its commitment to advancing understanding and growth in the field, the AFA supports ACPAC’s efforts and is keen to be the platform for this symposium.
The launch symposium aims to bring together film curators, programmers, other industry professionals, and scholars to address the following key and pressing questions related to the field of film curation in light of technological advancements and shifts in global geopolitics.
- What does film curation encompass, and what is its scope? How do we define the roles of film curators and programmers within today’s global cultural landscape?
- Has film curation evolved into a specialised profession, with its own standards, skills, and recognition, distinct from broader activities like those in film archives or festivals? How does it relate to the film industry as a whole and the broader cultural development of societies?
- What is the current state of film curation within the context of Asian cinemas?
- How should film curators and programmers adapt to address challenges brought by shifting global geopolitics and the AI revolution, while meeting future demands?
- Should and can film curation decolonise the appreciation and circulation of Asian cinemas in a global context?
Participants are encouraged to explore the following topics, among others:
- How film curation differs across various platforms—such as festivals, archives, streaming platforms, and museums—and the fundamental elements they share within the broader practice of film curation.
- The professionalisation of film curation: skills, training, and career paths for curators and programmers.
- Navigating the challenges of starting a career in film curation within the context of Asian cinemas.
- Regional differences in curatorial practices across Asian countries and industries.
- Cross-cultural and cross-regional collaborations in Asian film curation.
- Curating Asian films for global audiences: strategies and challenges.
- The intersection of curatorial practices and activism in Asian cinemas.
- Addressing issues of diversity, equality, and inclusion within film curation.
- Challenges and inequality faced by Asian film curators and programmers in the film industry.
- LGBTQ+ curatorial praxis.
- Feminist curatorial praxis.
- The role of film curation in the AI era: digital curation and virtual exhibitions.
- The impact of AI, big data, and algorithms on curatorial decision-making.
- Cross-media curation: blending cinema with visual arts, VR, and multimedia experiences.
- Challenges and strategies in curating archival films from Asia.
- How curatorial practices can challenge colonial legacies and promote indigenous perspectives within Asian cinema.
- Problematising EuroAmerican-centric frameworks in film curation
- Examining the ethical dimensions of curating sensitive or politically charged topics in Asian cinemas.
- Trends and innovations in film programming and curation across different regions in Asia.
- Skills and knowledge essential for future curators and programmers, including the impact of digital tools.
ACPAC and AFA aim to seize this opportunity to reassess the role of film curation in shaping discussions around film exhibition, circulation, and the cultural and knowledge production of “Asia” and Asian cinemas, particularly from underrepresented, marginalised, and minority communities. The symposium seeks to foster meaningful dialogue on film curation within the context of Asian cinemas, promoting equitable allyship and collaboration across diverse ethnicities, genders, sexualities, nationalities, and abilities. It also aims to strengthen the identity and impact of curators and programmers of Asian cinemas within the film industry, advocating for curatorial narratives that challenge Euro-American centrism while showcasing the diversity and richness of Asian cinemas.
We welcome film curators and programmers from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, including freelancers and those working in film archives, museums, festivals, and other cultural institutions, to join us in building an inclusive and diverse community. Your contribution will provide ACPAC with valuable insights into how best to support film curators and programmers of Asian cinemas in an evolving professional landscape.
Selected presentations from the symposium will have the opportunity to be included in an anthology bearing the same title, offering contributors the chance to further amplify their work and engage with a broader audience.
We look forward to your submissions and to welcoming you to our launch symposium.
For inquiries, please contact: contact@acpacnet.org
Sincerely,
The founding team of ACPAC and AFA
Submission Guidelines
We invite curators, programmers, other industry professionals, and scholars, to submit abstracts for 20-minute presentations. Submissions should include a 300-word abstract and include a brief bio (up to 150 words) and contact information.
Key Dates
- Abstract Submission Deadline: 15th April 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: 30th May 2025
Submission Process
Please submit your abstract and bio as a single PDF file to contact@acpacnet.org with the subject line: ACPAC Symposium CfP Submission – [Your Name].
