About

Historiography has produced one of the richest seams of enquiry for cinema and film researchers. Yet rarely are matters of research perspective or methodology reflected upon. This symposium provides a context in which to explore and interrogate the conceptual perspectives, methodological principles and practical working procedures involved with researching cinema history.

Speakers will address a range of concerns:

• Investigating the historical experience of cinema
• Creating and working with databases
• Evaluating the practices and procedures of the New Film History
• Analyzing ephemera as historical sources
• Viewing film industries through economic history
• Reviewing cinema history through studies of distribution
• Using reception studies to recover the past

Through discussion of these and other issues the event will provide an opportunity for cinema and film researchers to engage in critical reflection on how to do cinema history.

NOTE: For anyone planning to travel onwards to the IAMHIST (International Association for Media and History) conference in Aberystwyth over 8-11 July 2009, this is to confirm the second day of the symposium will conclude by 1.30pm on Tuesday 7 July.