Date: May 18th 2009

*/What is Film? Change & Continuity in the 21st Century/*

*Call for Papers*

*University of Oregon/Turnbull Center/Portland, Oregon/Nov. 6-7, 2009*

What is film? What is the future of film? How are digital technologies changing the nature and production of film? What is the future of Hollywood? How is the Internet changing the film industry’s models of production, distribution and consumption?

Films are now produced using a wide range of digital technologies, distributed via the Internet, mobile devices, and miscellaneous videodisc formats, and are viewed at the convenience of consumers. Change is everywhere. But even with these alterations to the nature of cinema, we still refer to “film.” Hollywood still distributes its products to motion picture theaters and television outlets, and is still motivated primarily by profit. Some things haven’t changed. Yet.

This conference will feature a unique coalescing of film professionals, film and media scholars and students, government and community officials, as well as film fans.  The event will feature keynote speakers, roundtables, paper presentations, screenings, receptions and workshops, in an attempt to answer questions about the changing nature of cinema.

Oregon and the city of Portland are no strangers to cinema with several recent Hollywood productions being filmed in and around the city. Likewise, burgeoning independent film and art scene sets it apart from its other U.S. cities. The release of the 3-D stop-motion animation sensation /Coraline /(produced by Laika Studios) has further bolstered Portland’s place in contemporary cinema. 
Papers are welcome on the following topics (or other related ones):

  * What is film in a digitall world?
  * How is the cinema defined today?
  * How is the changing nature of audiences and film consumers
    affecting the industry?
  * What are the changing practices of the film and video businesses?
  * What is the state of competition among Hollywood, independents and
    other studios?
  * How is globalization affecting the film and video business?
  * What are the prospects for Oregon's film/video industry?
  * How are digital technologies changing film production,
    distribution and exhibition?
  * How can the Internet function as a film distribution outlet?
  * What new economic models are emerging for the film industry?
  * Can Hollywood continue to dominate in the U.S. and abroad?

Send a 250-word abstract by July 15, 2009, to: 
Janet Wasko, School of Journalism and Communication

University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97405, USA

_jwasko@uoregon.edu_ <mailto:jwasko@uoregon.edu>