DOCTUS: Pathways of Contemporary Research Feminism and Nostalgia - Deadline 18th May 2025
3–4 of June, National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA), Sofia, Bulgaria
In the third of three workshop series (preceded by the Tallinn seminar in March and Bratislava session in May), PhD candidates have the opportunity to explore topics of feminism, filmmaking, maternity and art history. During the two-day event, presentations will be given by Professor Rachel Garfield (Royal College of Art, artist and author of Experimental Filmmaking and Punk) and Dr. Martina Mullaney (Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dublin, artist and academic and co-editor of The Missing Mother).
On the second day of the event, participants will be invited to an interactive discussion moderated by Dr. Michael Keerdo-Dawson (Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, Tallinn University, artist and lecturer) and a guided exhibition tour.
Program:
June 3rd
14:00 – 15:30 (Location: Rakovski 114)
Professor Rachel Garfield – No Budget: Punk, feminism and artist film
Presentation followed by discussion
Film schools train students to make the best film with the most up to date cameras, studios, crews and the tools of the trade in terms of construction. Women are still heavily discriminated against in the film industry and in art there are ongoing trends to mimic big budget methodologies. I argue that making lo-fi, single authored, DIY work is a feminist issue? How do we equip ourselves to make visually driven films that require a sophisticated sensibility and skill but without a professional budget. I will draw on my own video work and looking back to my influences of women artist filmmakers of the 1970s and 1980s. I will argue that they developed a DIY aesthetic that reanimated the form and pre-figured the contemporary desire for a different approach that celebrates communities of makers rather than the box office or biennale.
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break (Location: Lobby Aula)
16:00 – 17:30 (Location: Rakovski 114)
Dr. Martina Mullaney – She will never be a ballet dancer: Radical feminism, ageing and performance
Presentation followed by discussion
Art derived from maternal experiences rarely features in mainstream contemporary art spaces. In the contemporary art world of exhibitions, art writing and critique, in commercial and publicly funded art contexts, maternal art must seek its own opportunities. I ask how the art on and of maternity might transcend its own audience, formed and exhibited in the spaces dedicated to maternity only. Through research and practice I explore the absence of the mother from feminism and art history. Through art making I question how contemporary art on maternity, and maternal experiences might integrate with other genres to gain entry to the conventional spaces of showing art. This presentation looks at aging through performance, referencing Anglo/American radical feminism of the 1970s and 80s.
June 4th
13:30 – 16:30 (Location: Rakovski 114)
Open discussion on artistic research and its opportunities moderated by Dr. Michael Keerdo-Dawson
17:30 – 18:00 ARE Guided exhibition tour
Event Details
How: Apply via this registration form
Deadline to apply: 18 May 2025
Contact: Ingrida Jasoniene – Ingrida.jasoniene@filmeu.eu
Conditions to apply:
Aimed at PhD candidates (in the absence of a PhD level education programme, research MA students), the Doctus series aims to improve and develop one’s professional expertise and creative skills. Students from all humanities and arts disciplines are encouraged to apply.
In order to apply, the applicant has to fill out the registration form. Deadline for registration: 12/05/2025. Results will be communicated by 16/05/2025.
The application will be evaluated and participants selected by the organisational team.
Two students per partner university will have their accommodation, travel expenses and per diem covered. Please contact your local FilmEU mobility coordinator regarding financial support of the mobility.
Practical Information
Please note that lunch breaks are planned before Doctus activities from 12:30 to 13:30 (Lobby Aula/KEVA).
We kindly encourage you to look at the WIRE Summit program and to participate in our other events such as a PhD café, a drawing seminar and PhD seminars.
Visit the Sofia Summits website: sofia.summits.filmeu.eu