Estrella Sendra Fernandez

Dr. Estrella Sendra Fernandez is a Lecturer in Culture, Media & Creative Industries Education at King's College London (KCL), specializing in festivals and events. She holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London, and has taught at Winchester School of Art (University of Southampton) and SOAS. Her research focuses on African cinema, film festivals, and decolonizing creative industries, with a regional expertise in Senegal. She leads the Global Cultures Institute Education Fellowship and co-PIs the 'Decolonizing Film Festival Research in a Post-Pandemic World' project funded by Canada's New Frontiers in Research Fund.

Education: PhD in African Studies (2018, SOAS), MA in Critical Media Studies (2012, SOAS), BA in Audiovisual Communication (2010, University of Seville), and journalism training (2011, University of Seville).

Research interests include festivals' socio-cultural roles, Senegalese creative industries, and critical pedagogies. She has organized events like the 'Hope in Creativity' festival and collaborated with festivals such as Film Africa (London) and Festival Films Femmes Afrique (Senegal). Her work emphasizes decolonial methodologies and participatory practices, such as video essays and community curatorial projects.

Recent publications explore decolonizing film festivals, Senegal's festival landscapes, and the intersection of education and creative practice. Awards include the King's Research Impact Award (2024) and multiple nominations for the King's Education Awards. She advises on grants and co-leads international collaborations, blending academic research with public engagement.

Labs/Teams: Associate Editor at Screenworks, advisory board member for Screen Worlds (ERC-funded) and Film Africa. She collaborates with institutions like the University of Oxford and the New Black Film Collective.