Dr. Frances Smith is an Associate Professor in Film Studies at the University of Sussex's School of Media, Arts and Humanities. She holds a PhD in Film and Television Studies from the University of Warwick (2013), an MA in Management from Durham University (2008), and a Master of Modern Languages in French/Italian from Manchester University (2007). Her research focuses on teen cinema, female authorship, Hollywood and European cinema, and gender studies, with current work on Céline Sciamma's Girlhood. She authored Rethinking the Hollywood Teen Movie (2017) and co-edited Refocus: The Films of John Hughes (2021). Teaching includes convening Analysing Film, American Teen Cinema, and Working with Film modules. She has taught Gender and Representation, British Cinema, and Study Skills. Her awards include Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2016). Active in PhD supervision focusing on teen cinema, female authorship, and gender in cinema. Publications span over 25 articles/chapters addressing topics like queer youth representation, transatlantic media comparisons, and directorial authorship in John Hughes and Amy Heckerling films. Research explores intersections of gender, space, and cultural identity in global popular cinema.
Elizabeth Blake is an Associate Professor of Russian and Division Coordinator in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Saint Louis University's College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on 19th-century Russian literature, particularly Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, with emphases on empire studies, exile cultures, and religious dialogues between Russian Orthodoxy and Polish/French Catholicism. She has published two major books: *Dostoevsky and the Catholic Underground* (2014) and *Travels from Dostoevsky’s Siberia* (2019). Her work bridges literary analysis with historical context, examining themes like human rights, cultural mobility, and gender roles. Blake teaches courses ranging from language proficiency to advanced topics in Russian literature and cinema, including *Russian and Soviet Cinema* and *Dostoevsky Through the Centuries*. She has received numerous grants including Mellon and Fulbright-Hays awards for research in Russia and Poland. Her academic career includes extensive reviews for journals like *Slavic Review* and *Canadian Slavonic Papers*, alongside professional involvement with organizations such as the North American Dostoevsky Society. Blake’s teaching excellence is recognized through awards like the Spirit of the Billiken Award (2016), reflecting her impact on both scholarship and student mentorship.
Sergio Rigoletto is an Assistant Professor of Film Studies at the University of Groningen, Faculty of Arts. Previously, he held an Associate Professor position in Cinema Studies and Italian at the University of Oregon, USA. His research focuses on the intersection of film aesthetics with social change, queer media cultures, and Italian cinema. Key areas include transnational queer imaginaries in Mediterranean media, stardom in Neorealist cinema, and gendered labor in film industries. Education: PhD from the University of Reading, MA from Birkbeck College, London, and BA/MA from the University of Catania, Italy. His publications include Masculinity and Italian Cinema: Sexual Politics, Social Conflict and Male Crisis in the 1970s (2014) and Le norme traviate (2020). Current projects involve a monograph on Anna Magnani and Queer from the South: Film, Video Art and Media Activism in the Mediterranean . Research interests span queer media activism, Italian film history, and international television. He has contributed to journals like Journal of Cinema and Media Studies and New Review of Film and Television Studies , analyzing topics such as Xavier Dolan’s cinematic techniques and spectrality in Call Me by Your Name . Rigoletto’s work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to film, blending cultural theory with close textual analysis. His recent focus on Mediterranean queer media highlights transnational collaborations and challenges traditional national narratives in cinema.
University of California, Los AngelesUnited States
Sherry B. Ortner is a Distinguished Research Professor of Anthropology at UCLA, specializing in cultural and social theory, feminist theory, and media studies. She holds degrees from Bryn Mawr College (A.B.), University of Chicago (M.A., Ph.D.). Her research spans Sherpa ethnography in Nepal, U.S. social class dynamics, and independent film critique. She has been awarded the J.I. Staley Prize, Retzius Medal, and MacArthur Fellowship. Ortner’s work interrogates late capitalism, neoliberalism, and cultural production, particularly through independent film movements. Her shift from Himalayan studies to U.S. cultural analysis reflects a focus on global and local power structures. She has held academic positions at Berkeley, Columbia, and the University of Michigan before joining UCLA in 2004. Key Research Themes : Feminist theory, media anthropology, class and capitalism, cultural critique. Awards : American Academy of Arts and Sciences membership, Guggenheim and NEH fellowships. Her publications include Not Hollywood (2013), New Jersey Dreaming (2003), and Life and Death on Mt. Everest (2000). Ortner’s recent work critiques patriarchal structures and neoliberalism’s cultural impacts. She is a foundational voice in contemporary anthropological theory.
Mitsuhiro Yoshimoto is a Professor at Waseda University's Faculty of International Research and Education, with a PhD from the University of California, San Diego, MA from UCLA, and BA from SUNY Binghamton. His academic journey includes tenure at University of Iowa, New York University, Princeton University, and Waseda University since 2010. Education: PhD, University of California, San Diego MA, University of California, Los Angeles BA, State University of New York at Binghamton Yoshimoto's research spans Film Studies , Anime Studies , and Planetary Humanities . He explores intersections between cinema and neoliberalism, postcolonial theory in media, and the Anthropocene's representation in visual culture. His work includes analyzing nuclear disasters in film and intermedial adaptation in anime. His publications address topics like AKIRA 's role in English-speaking anime studies, In This Corner of the World 's transmedia adaptation, and populism in Hollywood films. He led the 2019 international symposium 'Theorizing Anime' at Waseda University. Scientific Awards: FY2014 Scientific Research Grant Review Committee Award 2014 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grant Yoshimoto has conducted funded research projects, including 'Reconsidering Japanese Anime Studies' (JSPS 2019-2022) and 'Contemporary Hollywood Films and the Shock Effect' (Waseda University). He teaches courses on cultural critical theories and international communication at graduate and undergraduate levels.
Jonathan Kirshner Jonathan Kirshner is a Professor of Political Science at Boston College and Emeritus Stephen and Barbara Friedman Professor of International Political Economy at Cornell University. His expertise spans International Relations, Political Economy (focusing on macroeconomics and money), and Politics and Film. He has held leadership roles, including director of the Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies (2007–2015), and received prestigious awards like the Provost’s Award for Distinguished Scholarship and the Stephen and Margery Russell Distinguished Teaching Award. Education: B.A. (Johns Hopkins University), M.A. and Ph.D. (Princeton University). Research Interests: Classical Realism, financial crisis implications, mid-century cinema politics, and Keynesian economics. Key works include An Unwritten Future: Realism, Uncertainty, and World Politics (2022), American Power After the Financial Crisis (2014), and When the Movies Mattered: The New Hollywood Revisited (2019). Recent Publications: Focus on US foreign policy trajectory, economic theory applications, and film analyses of 1970s America. His articles in Foreign Affairs , Security Studies , and Cineaste blend geopolitical analysis with cultural critique. Awards: Celebrated for scholarship and teaching, including recognition from the International Studies Association for Appeasing Bankers .
Simon Hewitt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Media Studies at Maynooth University, within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. He holds a PhD in Film Studies from King's College London, an MA in Film Studies from Columbia University, and a BA (Hons) in Screen Studies from Liverpool John Moores University. His research bridges media audiences and industries, focusing on how social media transforms audience participation and their relationship with film dynamics. Current projects include studies on intermedial labor in UK scare attractions, video game/cinematic convergence, and the financial exploitation of paratextual fan communities. Professional affiliations include being an Associate Fellow of Advance HE and a member of the Social Research Ethics Subcommittee. Hewitt supervises projects on fandom, participatory culture, marketing, and emergent technologies. His 2023 book Word-of-Mouth in Contemporary Hollywood examines audience influence on film financing, marketing, and distribution through Bourdieuean frameworks.
Allyson Nadia Field is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cinema and Media Studies and affiliated with The College at the University of Chicago. She is also an Affiliated Faculty member at the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture and the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality. Ph.D., Harvard University Her research explores African American cinema, silent film, and archival studies. She focuses on how cinema shapes race and gender representation, particularly in nontheatrical and nonextant films. Her work bridges film form, media theory, and cultural analysis. Field’s recent publications examine archival rediscovery, speculative methodologies in film history, and the legacy of early Black filmmakers. She co-edited projects on the L.A. Rebellion and nontheatrical film, emphasizing Black feminist curation and institutional critique. 2024-2025 NEH Public Scholars Grant 2020-2021 ACLS/Burkhardt Fellowship 2019 Academy Film Scholar 2021 National Film Preservation Board appointee She has organized major exhibitions, including the 2023 Sojourner Truth Festival of the Arts, and currently co-edits a collection on the visual afterlives of slavery. Her teaching includes courses on silent cinema, experimental film, and archival theory.
James Wicks serves as Professor of Media & Film Studies and Assistant Dean at Point Loma Nazarene University's School of Humanities, Arts, and Public Engagement. Teaching since 2009 and joining the Department of Communication Studies in 2021, he holds a Ph.D. in Film Studies with emphasis on Chinese Cinema from UC San Diego (2010). His academic career bridges administrative leadership with specialized instruction in narrative film, documentary production, and screenwriting. Dr. Wicks' educational background includes: Ph.D. in Film Studies (Cultural Studies section), University of California, San Diego, 2010 M.A., Oregon State University B.A., Oregon State University His research centers on Taiwan cinema history from the 1950s-1980s, exploring transnational representations, philosophical dimensions of martial arts films, and cultural identity. Additional interests include street culture in Hollywood, surf cinema history, and gender negotiation in early Taiwanese films. His methodological approach combines historical analysis with cultural studies frameworks. Publication trends reveal sustained focus on Taiwan cinema scholarship since 2010, with significant expansion into interdisciplinary urban studies (2019-2020) and contemporary director analyses (Ang Lee, Hou Hsiao-Hsien). His 2022-2016 output demonstrates consistent engagement with Cold War-era cinematic narratives while incorporating newer interests in ecological representation and punk cinema aesthetics. Notable recognitions include: Excellence in Teaching Award (PLNU, 2019) Two PLNU RASP grants for film preservation (2018-2019) Taiwan Ministry of Education research grant (2011) Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation fellowship (2009-2010) As an active researcher, Dr. Wicks has secured substantial external funding for film preservation projects and maintains strong community engagement through the San Diego Asian Film Festival. His administrative role as Assistant Dean complements his scholarly work in media studies curriculum development. Through co-organization of the San Diego Asian Film Festival's Taiwan Showcase (2012) and UCSD Taiwan Film Festival (2009), he has built collaborative networks across academic and cultural institutions. His ongoing film reel preservation project demonstrates commitment to safeguarding historical cinematic materials.
Paweł Edelman is a renowned Polish cinematographer and professor of film and theater arts at the National Film School in Łódź. He currently serves as dean of the Faculty of Cinematography and Television Production, having previously served as deputy dean from 2020 to 2024. Edelman is a distinguished member of the Polish Film Academy, the European Film Academy (EFA), the American Film Academy, and the Society of Cinematographers (PSC). Edelman was born on June 26, 1958 in Łódź. He completed his education at the Faculty of Philology of the University of Lodz in 1982 (Cultural Studies) and graduated from the Cinematography and Television Production Department of the National Film School in Łódź in 1990. In 2018, he earned a PhD in Film Art from his alma mater, and in 2024 was awarded the title of professor of art in the discipline of film and theater arts. As one of Poland's most celebrated cinematographers, Edelman's work spans both Polish and international cinema. His cinematographic style is characterized by meticulous attention to visual composition, innovative lighting techniques, and a profound understanding of how camera work contributes to narrative storytelling. He has developed expertise in both traditional film and digital cinematography, adapting his techniques to serve the artistic vision of each project while maintaining his distinctive visual signature. Gold Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis (2014) Marburger Kamerapreis from University of Marburg (2014) Hollywood Film Award for Cinematologist of the Year (2005) Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography for 'The Pianist' (2003) European Film Award for Best Cinematography for 'The Pianist' (2002) As an educator, Edelman has supervised numerous student films at the National Film School, providing guidance to emerging cinematographers. His educational approach emphasizes both technical mastery and artistic expression, helping students develop their unique visual voices while understanding the collaborative nature of filmmaking. He has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of Polish cinematographers through his leadership as dean and his hands-on supervision of student projects from 1984 through 2025. Edelman continues to maintain an active presence in both creative and academic spheres, balancing his administrative duties with ongoing film projects. His work on Roman Polanski's films, including 'The Pianist,' 'Oliver Twist,' 'The Ghost Writer,' and 'J'Accuse,' has earned him international acclaim and established him as one of Europe's premier cinematographers.
Panpan Yang is a Lecturer in Arts and Visual Cultures of Modern China at the School of Arts, SOAS University of London. She joined SOAS in 2021 after completing her joint PhD at the University of Chicago under the direction of Wu Hung, Tom Gunning, W. J. T. Mitchell, Judith Zeitlin, and Dana Polan. Her interdisciplinary work bridges art history, screen studies, East Asian studies, and digital humanities, with a focus on innovative methodologies in art historical writing. Dr. Yang earned a dual BA from Peking University, double majoring in art and philosophy, followed by an MA from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, and a PhD from the University of Chicago. During her undergraduate studies, she served as president of the Society of Dream of the Red Chamber Studies, which informed her secondary academic interest in Redology and the visual material world of the novel Hong lou meng. Panpan Yang's research explores how minor discourses can deterritorialize the terrains of both art history and screen studies. Her work demonstrates a multimethodological approach attentive to archival research, material practices, close visual analysis, computer-aided vision, and cross-cultural theorization. She is particularly interested in Chinese animation history, calligraphic imagination in contemporary art, and the intersections between traditional Chinese art forms and new media. Her publications reveal a consistent focus on Chinese visual culture across multiple media forms, with particular attention to animation, film, and calligraphy. Yang's work demonstrates how traditional Chinese art forms engage with contemporary digital media, creating new hybrid forms that challenge disciplinary boundaries. Her research shows a trajectory from historical analysis of Chinese animation to contemporary explorations of calligraphy in digital contexts, revealing the ongoing relevance of traditional Chinese aesthetics in modern media. Dr. Yang has received several prestigious awards for her scholarly and creative work: China's National Young Screenwriter Award Domitor Essay Award Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award Nomination Honourable Mention from the Association for Chinese Animation Studies As a Principal Investigator, Dr. Yang leads the AHRC-funded research project "Stroke by Stroke: Calligraphic imagination in contemporary Chinese art and emergent media" (2023-25) with Shane McCausland. She was also a collaborating partner on the NEH-funded "Media Ecology Project." Her research has received additional support from the Getty Foundation and the Sino-British Fellowship Trust. At SOAS, she works closely with faculty and graduate students interested in Chinese arts and cultures, art theory, cinematic arts, and digital art history. Dr. Yang is currently developing innovative research at the intersection of traditional Chinese calligraphy and contemporary digital media through her AHRC-funded project. This work explores how calligraphic imagination manifests in contemporary art and emergent media contexts, creating new pathways for understanding Chinese cultural heritage in the digital age.
Christina Klein is a Professor of English and American Studies at Boston College, serving as Director of the Ph.D. Program, American Studies Program, and Literature Core Program. She holds a B.A. in Film Studies from Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. in American Studies from Yale University. Her research focuses on Korean cinema, transnational genres, and Cold War cultural encounters between Asia and the U.S. Expertise: Korean Cinema, Transnational Genres, Cold War Cultural History Affiliations: Harvard's Institute of Korean Studies (Research Associate), Asian Studies Program Steering Committee Her work analyzes films like Bong Joon-ho’s works and explores how Hollywood genres are reworked through Korean contexts. Recent publications include Cold War Cosmopolitanism (2020) and Cold War Orientalism (2020). She has contributed to journals like American Quarterly and Cinema Journal .
Dr. Philip Kirby is a Senior Lecturer in the History of Education at King’s College London’s School of Education, Communication & Society. He joined in 2020 after roles at the University of Oxford, the Sutton Trust, and the University of Exeter. His research focuses on the historical and social dimensions of specific learning difficulties like dyslexia and dyspraxia, alongside children’s culture and education policy. His notable work includes Dyslexia: A History (2022, co-authored with Prof. Margaret J. Snowling) and entries in encyclopedias like Palgrave Encyclopedia of Disability . He also explores geopolitical themes in media, including film scores and video games. Recent projects include Delphi studies on dyslexia assessment and policy reform. His research spans education policy, private tuition dynamics, and the intersection of popular culture with disability ethics. He actively contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives like the Centre for Public Policy Research, addressing social justice in education and policy.
Iain Robert Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at King’s College London, specializing in transnational cinemas, cult film studies, and transnational adaptation. He previously held a Senior Lecturer position at the University of Roehampton (2010–2016). His research challenges hegemonic views of cultural globalization by examining how Hollywood films are remade and adapted across cultures. He co-founded the SCMS Transnational Cinemas group and led the AHRC-funded 'Media Across Borders' research network (2012–). Smith holds a PhD and MA in Film Studies (Distinction) from the University of Nottingham and a First-Class MA (Hons) in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of Glasgow. His research interests include Transnational Cinemas post-1945, Global Hollywood, Popular Cinemas of Asia (especially India and Turkey), and Cult/Exploitation Horror Cinema. He co-edited Transnational Film Remakes (2017) and Media Across Borders (2016), and authored The Hollywood Meme (2016). Current projects include a book on global Batman adaptations and a decolonizing critique of cult film studies. Awards: AHRC/BBC New Generation Thinker (2018), Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2018) Teaching: Specializes in film history, world cinema, and cult/exploitation cinema. Organized festivals like the Turkish Film Remakes event (2022) and the Turkish Star Wars UK tour (2018). Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles and edited volumes, with recent focus on global horror dynamics, decolonizing film studies, and transnational giallo remakes. He serves on editorial boards for Transnational Screens and Intensities: Journal of Cult Media , and founded the 'Remakesploitation Film Club' at The Cinema Museum. His work bridges academic research with public engagement through film screenings and director Q&As.
Royal Holloway, University of LondonUnited Kingdom
Barry Langford is a Professor of Film Studies in the Department of Media Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London. He holds degrees from Queens’ College, Cambridge, and Columbia University. His research focuses on critical theory, Holocaust film representations, theories of mass culture, urban studies, postmodernism, and post-classical Hollywood cinema. He has authored major works including Film Genre: Hollywood and Beyond (2005) and Post-Classical Hollywood: Film Industry, Style and Ideology since 1945 (2010). Currently, he is preparing a study titled Darkness Visible on Holocaust film. Langford is also a professional screenwriter. His short film Torte Bluma (2005) won multiple awards, including Best Drama at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival and Best Film at Palm Springs. He co-created the ITV drama series The Frankenstein Chronicles (2015). His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and cultural preservation. His research interests span film genre evolution, Holocaust cinema’s ethical dimensions, and the intersection of cinema with urban and postmodern themes. He has presented at international conferences, including invited talks on 'Film Genre in the 21st Century' and 'Soundscapes of Holocaust Film'. Langford leads the Holocaust Research Institute’s academic initiatives and collaborates on projects like the Rothschild Foundation-funded 'Global Jewish Studies in/as Holocaust Studies' (2022–2026).
