John Gibbs

John Gibbs is Professor of Film and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Heritage & Creativity) at the University of Reading. He specializes in film aesthetics, style-based criticism, and video essays. His roles include academic leadership in Cine Valley (Research & Innovation), Museums Partnership Reading, and Screen Berkshire. Research interests focus on filmmakers' choices, intermedial approaches, and the application of video essays in film historiography. Recent awards include the 2024 Marienbad Film Festival audiovisual essay prize for Choosing Death Row Songs.

Teaching includes courses on film style, Hollywood cinema, and videographic criticism. He leads the Palgrave Close Readings in Film and Television book series and edits Movie: A Journal of Film Criticism. Key collaborations include Intermlidia: Towards an Intermedial History of Brazilian Cinema and co-authoring An Amorous Discourse: Remapping the World Through Cinephilia with Lúcia Nagib.

Research highlights include revaluations of classic films like The Phantom Carriage and Notorious, and explorations of contemporary works such as Candyman. His work bridges academic scholarship with creative practice, emphasizing interdisciplinary methods and film’s cultural connections.