With the support of GEECT, the European grouping of CILECT, we’re planning to pick up the baton of the VISIONS project on teaching documentary filmmaking which had its inaugural sessions at the HFF in Babelsberg back in 1994. As well as organising a new event in 2013, we hope to build up an active network of documentary film teachers, explore ways of sharing our “best kept secrets” online and set up collaborative projects to connect our students across international borders.

It’s still early days, but we’re looking at Autumn 2013 (early September) or possibly Spring 2014 as a launch date for the symposium. As funds are still being raised, the location has not yet been decided, but it will definitely be either the UK (South Wales) or Northern Italy. Coordination is by John Burgan (Newport Film School/UK) and Heidi Gronauer (ZeLIG/Italy).

Participants are primarily expected to be practitioners who teach filmmaking and admission is initially open to faculty members of CILECT film schools as well as NAHEMI in Ireland & the UK. A partial list of those who have already expressed interest can be found on the Film Schools tab.

More details to follow.

John Burgan

Documentary Film & TV, Newport Film School

john[dot]burgan[at]newport[dot]ac[dot]uk