[Commlist] 15th Annual International Small Cinemas Conference

Call for papers
15th Annual International Small Cinemas Conference:
Changing Policies, Transforming Audiences and Work Practices In-flux
November 5-7, 2024
Zagreb, Croatia

The 15th Annual International Small Cinemas Conference is organized by 
the Department for Culture and Communication, Institute for Development, 
and International Relations (IRMO), Zagreb, Croatia, in partnership with 
the Industry Program of the Zagreb Film Festival (ZFF) and the Academy 
of Dramatic Arts (ADU), Zagreb.
Keynote lecturers: Katharine Sarikakis, University of Vienna and Petr 
Szczepanik, Charles University, Prague

Conference theme:
In recent years, the film industry has globally faced a series of 
transformations at the level of production, distribution, and 
consumption. The rise of streaming services caused the most significant 
changes. Additionally, the audio-visual (AV) industry faced a crisis due 
to restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In North America, 
and currently in India, we have seen screenwriters and actors strike to 
oppose changes. But what are the implications of present changes on film 
industries, and what is their impact on big production markets compared 
to small cinemas? This conference edition will discuss the main 
challenges of film production and distribution in so-called ‘small 
countries’ compared to ‘big markets.’ It will focus on public policy 
responses to dynamic changes in the audio-visual field, examine viable 
and sustainable business models, and consider how to ensure cultural 
diversity at global and local levels. What is the available research 
data revealing about patterns in audio-visual content consumption, and 
how are small markets reaching local and international audiences? What 
public policy instruments are at our disposal to initiate a dialogue 
between controversial production practices by worldwide corporate 
streaming services and local audio-visual industries? How does this 
affect small markets in comparison to larger ones? How are the working 
conditions of small-market film workers changing when entering global 
service productions? What are the economic and aesthetic pressures on 
local productions in small film industries? Among all the mentioned 
issues, which ones foster or impede the success of films from 
small-market countries? And what is the meaning of success in the given 
context: does popularity equal quality?
Topics for discussion may include, but are not limited to:
•	film audience consumption habits in small markets
•	small market distribution patterns and means of reaching local and 
global audiences
•	AV festivals ecosystems and their role in enhancing diversity
•	the relationship between public policy instruments and production 
practices of global corporate streaming services in small countries
•	the impact of investment obligations for streamers in small and larger 
markets
•	the influence of AI on film production and distribution
•	the unionization and working conditions of film workers in national 
markets
•	the economic pressures on local productions in small film industries
•	the impact of COVID-19 on different film ecosystems: production, 
distribution, and consumption.
This interdisciplinary conference invites contributions from film, media 
and cultural studies, media economics, sociology of media and 
communication, sociology of culture, cultural sociology, cultural and 
media policy research, etc.
Submissions should include the title, author(s), institutional 
affiliation, an abstract of up to 250 words and a short bio of the 
presenter(s). We welcome pre-constituted panels with a maximum of three 
presentations. Panel abstract submissions should be up to 600 words, 
describing the role of each presenter within the panel. Please submit 
your abstract via the online form available at the conference website: 
https://smallcinemas2024.irmo.hr
Extended submission deadline: July 16, 2024.
Confirmation of acceptance: August 12, 2024.
The conference is aimed at academics, policymakers and film industry 
professionals. It will include a keynote lecture, paper presentations, 
roundtables, and screenings, and it will be part of the Industry Program 
of the Zagreb Film Festival Program (ZFF). Held on November 4-10, 2024, 
the festival will allow participants to delve into the film program and 
also network with industry representatives.
The registration fee is 80EUR or 50EUR for PhD students.
For additional information, please contact the conference organizers at 
(smallcinemas2024 /at/ irmo.hr) or visit the conference website: 
https://smallcinemas2024.irmo.hr
The conference is part of the CresCine project ‘Increasing the 
international competitiveness of the film industry in small European 
markets’ (no. 101094988) supported by the Horizon Europe programme of 
the European Union. For more information about the project, please 
visit: www.crescine.eu


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