The Meaning of Independence: Independent Filmmaking Around the Globe

Society for Cinema and Media Studies 2010 (Los Angeles, March 17-21, 2010)

Panel Organizer: Mary Erickson, University of Oregon (mericks1@uoregon.edu)

American independent film is often defined as being financially independent of the major Hollywood studios. Independent filmmaking certainly exists in other countries, from Canada and Britain to Indonesia and Russia. Yet the characterization of “independence” does not derive from a film’s relationship to Hollywood studios; rather, there are a variety of institutions from which filmmakers are independent, including governments, corporations and traditional production centers.

This panel seeks to examine the meaning of independent filmmaking in a global context. Some questions for exploration might include:

• What is a given independent film industry independent of?
• How are independent films financed in different countries?
• What is the relationship of non-American independent films to the ever-increasing Hollywood presence around the world?
• How do independent filmmakers navigate and/or circumvent traditional filmmaking institutions in their home countries?

Papers are welcome on any country’s independent film industry (outside of the U.S.). A range of geographic areas is desired for this panel so that the global independent filmmaking movement is represented.

Please send abstracts (max. 250 words) to Mary Erickson at mericks1@uoregon.edu no later than August 23, 2009.

Accepted presenters will be notified by August 28. The final paper proposal will be submitted to SCMS by the Sept. 1st deadline; please keep in mind that the panel as a whole may or may not be accepted by SCMS organizers. For more details on the Conference, please visit the SCMS website: http://www.cmstudies.org/