Film festivals in Argentina. An approach to Centre-Periphery dynamics in South American film cultures
Film festivals in Argentina. An approach to Centre-Periphery dynamics in South American film cultures
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Abstract
The research analyzes how film festivals transform and develop film cultures in Argentina considering different cities where they take place. Film festivals function as relevant “sites of passage” (De Valck 2017) for the global film market, that strongly influence professional careers and competition between global cities, as well as the circulation of financial and symbolic capital (Loist 2017). Film festivals also constitute a stratified and unequal circuit: while events in the Global North play a dominant role in attracting relevant premieres, sales agents and media coverage, peripheral film festivals face great challenges to attract stakeholders and must develop innovative strategies to gain regional leadership and expand their transformative potential. The aim of this project is to analyze how Argentine film festivals, located in a peripheral region of the global film market, can diversify local film cultures, enhance professional trajectories and gain influence in the dynamics of transnational film circulation. To shed light on the potentials and constraints of Argentine film festivals, the project also explores how they are organized, funded and conducted in different territories of the country.
Although the project focused on three leading film festivals (the BAFICI - Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival, the Mar del Plata International Film Festival, and the Alturas International Film Festival, located in Northern Argentina in Jujuy), the contributions shed light on the complete ecosystem of around eighty film festivals in the whole country. Unlike other Latin American countries like Chile or Brazil, the leading Argentine film festivals
are not only funded, but also largely organized and conducted by state officials and cultural departments. Consequently, political struggles and polarization play a relevant role and greatly shape the adherence and rejections generated by festivals. Considering the production of film festivals, the research provides relevant insights addressing the inner-inequalities for cultural undertakes in Latin America, as metropolises are well-equipped and have dense connections with the international circuit, whereas medium- sized and small cities face great challenges to develop film events. The research also traced the competition and different production models carried out by BAFICI and Mar del Plata, the first having an autonomous artistic director and strongly connected with an international network of critics, while the second has great difficulties achieving dynamism and gaining prestige given the bureaucratic challenges it must face in each edition.
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Namensnennung 4.0 Deutschland
Namensnennung 4.0 Deutschland
Keywords:
Film FestivalArgentinaSouth AmericaFilm Culture