Keynote Speakers:

Stephen Mulhall (Oxford)

Vivian Sobchack (UCLA)

Robert Sinnerbrink (Macquarie)

Catherine Constable (Warwick)

Karin Littau (Essex)

Julian Baggini (editor, The Philosophers' Magazine)

In the last years there has been a growing interest in the relationship between philosophy and film within both analytic and European philosophical traditions. At the same time, film studies as a discipline has always raised philosophical questions and has been enriched by a variety of philosophical traditions. The aim of this conference is to bring together scholars from both disciplines to examine this shared history, as well as display the current range and state of philosophical film analysis.

In what ways is film philosophically informative? What methodologies have been developed for philosophical analysis of film? What do various philosophical traditions bring to the study of film? What does the practice of film studies bring to the practice of philosophy? What vibrant areas have developed in these fields? The conference theme is deliberately broad and proposals are invited on any conjunction between film and philosophy. We welcome submissions that range from general and methodological observations about the field to readings and interpretations of specific films, genres, film movements or filmmakers. We encourage submissions from graduate students and will reserve some sessions for graduate papers.

Topics include (but are not limited to):
Film as philosophy
The ontology of cinema
Film and phenomenology
Particular philosophical approaches to film (Cavell, Deleuze, Frampton etc.)
The Epistemology of film
Film affect
The philosophical worldview of particular directors
Subjectivity and cinema
Film ‘theory’ as philosophy
Aesthetics and film
Political philosophy and film
Historical developments in film-philosophy Genre and philosophy
Philosophy and film movements (German Expressionism, Soviet Montage, Italian Neorealism etc.)
Cinema as thought experiment
Morality and movies
Feminist philosophy and film practice
Film making as philosophical practice
Methodologies for philosophical film analysis

Contributions are invited for:

Panel topics

Individual papers

Graduate papers

We will endeavour to include as many papers as possible within the time limits and are happy to discuss initial suggestions for panel discussions.
NB: please send us your abstract before the deadline if you require an early response. We strongly recommend this option for overseas participants who may need to book flights.

Please send proposals (500 word abstract) by Tuesday 8 April, 2008 to:


Dr Havi Carel Havi.carel@uwe.ac.uk

Dr Greg Tuck greg.tuck@uwe.ac.uk

We prefer email submissions but you can also post your abstract to:

Dr Havi Carel/ Dr Greg Tuck

HLSS

University of the West of England (UWE)

St Matthias Campus

Oldbury Court Rd

Fishponds

Bristol BS16 2JP

UK

Registration

£75 (waged)/ £45 (unwaged)

To download a booking form and for registration details please go to http://amd.uwe.ac.uk/index.asp?pageid=1644 and follow the link.

Conference Hotel: Ibis Bristol Centre
Rooms have been reserved for conference delegates at the Ibis Bristol Centre Hotel on the 4th and 5th July 2008. These rooms will be reserved up to one month before the start date so any rooms left untaken by the 3rd June will be made available to the general public.

Please book accommodation directly with the hotel quoting the following reference number: 162241. Bookings can be made either by telephone:(+44)117 989 7210 or online: Please click on the following link to be directed to the Ibis Bristol Centre Hotel:

Ibis Bristol Centre (http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/5547/fiche_hotel.shtml)

Please note that reserved rooms are limited so early booking is strongly advised.

For the Philosophy home page: http://www.uwe.ac.uk/hlss/courses/philosophy/index.shtml