1st CALL FOR PAPERS African Film and Decolonisation

Conference organised by the
Africa Media Centre
University of Westminster

Date: 21- 23 October 2016
Venue: University of Westminster

African films and related screen media have engaged with decolonisation before and after independence. This has seen production of films that help recover an appropriate African past as well as to protect it from those who want to distort it, disfigure and destroy it (Franz Fanon). In the "battlefield" between forces that are pledged to confirm our humanity and those determined to dismantle it, most African filmmakers opt to build, mould and commit to "open our eyes, to make us see the light and look to tomorrow" (Ngugi wa Thiongo). Across Africa, many filmmakers play a key role in decolonization, mobilizing and transforming African societies in the service full emancipation. Leading filmmakers on the continent covertly and openly use their films to pursue what can be described as the "embodiment and relocation of thought in order to unmask the limited situation of modern knowledges and their link to coloniality", and produce "an-other thinking" (Walter Mingolo). For critical filmmakers in Africa, independence is "not fighting for ideas, or for what is in men's minds. [… it is a] fight and [acceptance of] the sacrifices demanded by the struggle in order to gain material advantages, to live better and in peace, to benefit from progress, and for the better future of their children" (Amilcar Cabral). Sembene Ousmane and other filmmakers have, for example, produced such films against colonialism, capitalism and neocolonialism. Along with others, Sembene's films raise critical questions about sustained colonialism, exploitation and corruption, involving local and international forces. It is, therefore, not out of place to ask how African films and filmmakers in different regions of Africahave been involved in decolonization. How have specific films in Africa conveyed messages about decolonization? How has decoloniality manifested itself in films about individuals, communities, nations or minorities and with what effect? What contexts, methods, formats, languages, techniques and resources do African filmmakers use to communicate decoloniality? Which specific films have raised awareness and understanding that has moved African audience participate in decoloniality? How has decolonization been a part of African film policies? What has been the impact of African film that engage with decolonization? How have converged screen cultures been implicated in new struggles against colonial processes and colonial symbols? How have African diasporas and social media influenced decolonization? How have messages on deconiality in films led to the empowerment of Africans before and after independence?

This 8th African Film Conference, organised by the Africa Media Centre, will again bring together academic scholars and practitioners to discuss how film has been involved in national independence and decoloniality. There will be a special launch of an African Documentary Film Screening Project run by Keith Shiri. This year it will focus on the role of documentary films in African independence. We are concerned to bring to the fore sub-themes of changing film production environments, shifts in funding mechanisms for African film, the role of audiences/users, regulation debates and African film's potential for emancipation.

To address these and similar issues relating to film, screen cultures and social justice in Africa, we invite scholars to submit panel proposals and/ or abstracts in the following and related areas:
- Film, screen cultures and Decolonisation
- Theoretical Issues on Film and Decoloniality in Africa
- Citizen empowerment and film in Africa
- Comedy, Satire and Parody and Decoloniality
- Decolonisation and African Film in the era of digital platforms
- Human development and Film in Africa
- Film and politics, persuasion and electioneering
- Film and Anti-Corruption Campaigns in Africa
- Old Media and New Film Practices Against Colonialism
- Politics and Regulation of Film in Africa
- Resistance, Activism and Film Cultures in Africa
- Film Practices and Non-Governmental Organisations in Africa
- Film and Television Education in the Digital Age
- Decolonisation ideologies in African Film
- Film Viewers and Decolonisation
- African Film and Political Transitions

DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS
The conference organizers welcome abstracts that feature high quality conceptual papers, as well as qualitative and quantitative empirical research papers. Abstracts from individuals including graduate students are welcome
The new deadline for abstracts is Monday 30 May 2016. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 8 June 2016. Abstracts should be 300 words long. They must include the presenter's name, affiliation, email and postal address, together with the title of the paper.
Please send abstracts to journalism@westminster.ac.uk

PROGRAMME AND REGISTRATION
This 2-day conference will take place from Friday 21 October to Sunday 23 October 2016. The fee for registration (which applies to all participants, including presenters) will be £100 with a concessionary rate of £25 for students, to cover all conference documentation, refreshments and administration costs. Registration will open at the end of August 2016.