Andrej Kolenčík is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Visual Communication, Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava. He graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava in the field of animation. Currently a freelance director of both live-action and animated films, commercials, and music videos, he also serves as the program director of the international animated film festival Fest Anča. His debut documentary film Hviezda (2012) marked his transition into documentary filmmaking. Education: Graduate in Animation from Academy of Performing Arts, Bratislava Research Interests: Exploration of animation techniques in documentary storytelling Cross-disciplinary approaches to visual communication Festival curation and promotion of independent animation Notable Works: Documentary Hviezda (2012) TV series Mohyla (2019) Experimental short films including Zjavenie Jána (2022) Professional Roles: Program Director, Fest Anča International Animation Festival Freelance director across multiple media formats
D. (Dan) Leberg is an Assistant Professor in Film and Media Studies at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Arts. He holds affiliations with the Research Centre Arts in Society (AiS) and actively contributes to Cinema Politica Groningen. His research focuses on the intersection of cognition and artistic creation, particularly in screen acting practices and documentary cinema. He has worked with technologies like motion-capture and puppetry, and is involved in political activism through Cinema Politica. Leberg's academic roles include teaching Film and Media Studies at the University of Groningen (2023–present) and Amsterdam University College (2017–2022). His work spans interdisciplinary areas such as collaborative authorship in digital media, colonial performances in television, and self-reflexive identities in popular culture. His research outputs include peer-reviewed articles and books exploring topics like immersive television production, cognitive approaches to acting, and digital drapery in motion capture. He has engaged in public outreach through interviews with actors like Guy Pearce and organizing events like the Film PhD Workshop.
Rebekah Ciribassi is a Research Fellow at the Department of Social Anthropology , University of Oslo. Her work focuses on medical anthropology and science and technology studies, particularly in postcolonial Tanzania. She investigates biomedical science, bodily inheritance, and the politics of temporality through interdisciplinary methods including filmmaking and experimental visual art. Education: PhD in Anthropology, Cornell University (2022) MPH in Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago (Joint Degree Program) MA in Anthropology, University of Illinois at Chicago Research Interests: Her current project, Living Traces of Containment , explores carceral disease containment in Rufiji, Tanzania, examining how medical regimes shape intergenerational experiences. A parallel book project analyzes the shift in African biomedicine from communicable diseases to intergenerational chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease, interrogating how genetic and cultural heritability interact. Awards & Grants: Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship (2018-2019) National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (2019-2020) Mellon Graduate Fellow, Cornell Society for Humanities (2020-2021) Professional Activities: She contributes to the Epidemic Traces project (2023-2027) and teaches courses like SOSANT2120: Regional Ethnography: Africa. Her work bridges ethnographic practice with abolitionist theory and multimodal research methods.
Brian C. O'Neill is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Associate Dean at Quinnipiac University's School of Computing and Engineering. He holds a PhD and MS in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology and previously served as Department Chair at Western New England University before joining Quinnipiac in 2023. Education: BS, Saint Joseph's University MS, Georgia Institute of Technology PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology Dr. O'Neill's research focuses on Artificial Intelligence and its intersection with Computational Creativity , particularly in storytelling and board games. He has developed a multidisciplinary AI minor at Quinnipiac and investigates AI's role in enhancing human creative processes through emotion-driven narrative generation and collaborative improvisation systems. His recent publications span AI accessibility, game theory, and computing education. While no specific scientific awards are listed, he contributes to computing education as co-Editor-in-Chief of EngageCSEdu, an ACM open-education resource platform.
Anna Konik is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Animation and Intermedia, University of Arts in Warsaw. Her career spans multiple institutions across Europe, including guest professorships at Humboldt University in Berlin and the Academy of Fine Arts in Dresden. She has completed postgraduate studies at the Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weissensee and earned her doctorate from the University of Arts in Warsaw. Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw (1995–2000) Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weissensee postgraduate (2001–2002) Doctorate at University of Arts in Warsaw (2012) Her artistic research focuses on video installations , art film , and para-documentary . She explores themes like cultural anthropology , human migration , and interdisciplinary empathy . Her works often bridge physical space and psychological experience through performative storytelling. Key artistic trends include multi-channel video techniques (e.g., 35-film loop in In the Same City ), ethnographic documentation of marginalized communities, and site-specific installations connecting personal narratives to broader socio-political contexts. Recent works like A Song of Humble Beauty (2025) examine traditional craftsmanship in Sindh/Pakistan. Scientific awards include: Nomination for 'Views 2009' award by Zachęta National Gallery of Art and Deutsche Bank Polska Nomination for Polityka Passport (2009) She has collaborated with institutions like the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin and leads the INSPIRE research project advisory board since 2020. Her practice integrates artistic research with academic teaching , spanning European art academies.
Matthias Konzett is a Lecturer at the Department of English at the University of New Hampshire. His academic and research activities focus on film studies, transculturalism, and literary critique. Education: M.A. and Ph.D. from Emory University. Research interests include: Cinema: Film noir, horror, science fiction, and world cinema. Cultural Theory: Multiculturalism, national identity, and post-ideological aesthetics. Literary Criticism: Austrian and German-Turkish literature, with a focus on migration and memory. His publications span film theory, transcultural literature, and gendered narratives, with notable works on Wong Kar Wai, Thomas Bernhard, and Zafer Senocak. Teaching activities include courses on: Film Theory Introduction to Film Studies Genre Studies Narrative & Style Science Fiction Film Global Horror Film Editorial contributions include: A Companion to the Works of Thomas Bernhard (2010) Elfriede Jelinek: Writing Woman, Nation, and Identity (2007) Hermann Broch, Visionary in Exile: The 2001 Yale Symposium (2003)
Heledd Wyn Hardy is a Lecturer in Media Production (Television/Film) at Aberystwyth University’s College of Arts and Humanities, Department of Film and Theatre. She specializes in bilingual television, visual storytelling, and Welsh TV drama, with a focus on subtitles and international cultural representation. External roles: BAFTA Board Member, RTS Cymru/Wales Board Member, Into Film Advisory Committee, NECS, Center of the Study of Media and Culture in Small Nations, George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling, MEccsA. Research explores diversity in storytelling, collaborations with institutions like NTW, RWCMD, and Bangor University. Her research outputs include digital works like Petticoats of Power (2018) and BLUE / GLAS (2018), along with commissioned books such as Vision to Viewer (2017) and Syniad i'r Sgrin (2016). These emphasize Welsh cultural identity, bilingual media, and educational innovation. She has received awards for teaching (2015) and digital resources (2016, 2017). Her work intersects film practice, education, and public engagement, with presentations at events like the Future Digital Broadcast Conference (2018) and Console-ing Passions (2018).
Keely Kernan is an award-winning Assistant Professor in Critical Media Practices at the University of Colorado's College of Media, Communication and Information. As a freelance photographer and filmmaker, she explores environmental issues, globalization, and community identity through documentary work and interactive media. Focus on natural resource depletion and social change Recipient of prestigious Princess Grace Award and LEF Foundation grant Teaches courses in digital photography and documentary production Her work has exhibited at international film festivals including DC Environmental Film Festival and MIT's Women Take the Reel Festival
Peter Greenaway is a Professor of Film at The European Graduate School (EGS). Born in 1942 in Newport, Wales, he is a renowned avant-garde filmmaker, curator, and philosopher of cinema. His work explores themes like visual subversion, Renaissance aesthetics, and the limits of narrative. Trained as a painter at Walthamstow College of Art, he transitioned to filmmaking in the 1960s, creating experimental shorts like Train (1966) and Windows (1975). His major films include The Draughtsman’s Contract (1982), Prospero’s Books (1991), and Nightwatching (2007). He has curated exhibitions such as 100 Objects To Represent The World (1993) and pioneered multimedia projects like The Tulse Luper Suitcases (2003). His work critiques contemporary visual culture while engaging with historical art forms. Greenaway’s research interests span interdisciplinary art, cinematic language, and the intersection of text/image. He has lectured extensively at EGS on topics like visual history, opera-film hybrids, and multimedia temporality. His publications include books on Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, and his own film theories.
Dr. Jeanine Reutemann serves as a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, where she leads the Media & Methods Lab within the Unit for Teaching and Learning (UTL). Her role encompasses producing co-designed audiovisual media for ETH lecturers, advancing digital media competencies across the institution, and exploring innovative media technologies for future teaching through flagship projects. Her research centers on the science-society interface , specializing in translating complex scientific concepts through audiovisual media. Key interests include the epistemological potential of visual language in education, sustainable production of science videos, mixed reality applications, and combating misinformation. She investigates how media design shapes public understanding of science and enhances learning experiences in higher education, with particular focus on deepfakes, truth verification, and co-design methodologies. Analysis of her publication trajectory (2016-2024) reveals an evolution from foundational studies on MOOC video styles to current work on sustainable educational media and mixed reality. Her research consistently bridges theory and practice, emphasizing ethical considerations, societal impact, and the transformative role of audiovisual media in science communication. Recent publications highlight growing attention to environmental sustainability in media production and AI's implications for scientific content generation. Dr. Reutemann actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), including the r4d programme. She has collaborated with Oxford University, WSL, WWF/COOP, and others to produce science documentaries addressing global challenges such as inequality, sustainability, and peacebuilding, including the full-length documentary 'Inequality and Conflict - Beyond us and Them'. She heads the Media & Methods Lab, a dynamic team that partners with ETH lecturers to co-create educational media, designs continuous professional development programs in digital media competencies, and pioneers new media technologies through projects like the Science Filmmaking Hackathon (producing AI-themed animations) and mixed reality character prototypes for campus navigation. Current initiatives include developing audiovisual essays with the gta archive and science communication videos leveraging internet meme culture for environmental science students.
Professor Jenna Ng is the Head of School at the University of Queensland's School of Communication and Arts. She holds a PhD in Film Studies from University College London (UCL), with prior qualifications including an LLB from the National University of Singapore and postgraduate diplomas from Queen Mary and UCL. Her research focuses on digital media, AI, interactive storytelling, and virtual reality, blending theoretical analysis with creative practice. Education: PhD (UCL), PGDip (Queen Mary), MA (UCL), LLB (NUS) Her work explores screen cultures, algorithmic culture, and the blurring boundaries between virtual and real worlds. Notable projects include The New Virtuality website (winner of the John Culkin Award and Learning on Screen Special Jury Prize) and The Post-Screen monograph (BAFTSS Honourable Mention). She has held fellowships at institutions like Cambridge University and Umeå University, and her creative works include second-screen theatre installations and multimedia scholarship. Awards highlight her academic leadership and teaching excellence, including the University of York Rewarding Excellence Award and multiple student-nominated accolades. Her grants include AHRC-funded projects like Pararchive (£400k) and Digital Community Workspaces (£100k). Grants: AHRC Pararchive, AHRC Digital Community Workspaces Led initiatives include the 'Digital Bridges' project with Watford Palace Theatre, demonstrating her commitment to bridging academic and public engagement through digital innovation.
Dr. Alex Clayton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Film and Television at the University of Bristol. He holds a BA from the University of Warwick, an MA from the University of Kent, and a PhD from the University of Kent. His research focuses on film and television studies, with emphases on comedy theory, performance studies, and critical analysis of cinematic representation. Notable research interests include the intersection of critical theory with film practice, autistic representation in cinema, and the aesthetics of television seriality. He has published widely on topics such as casting techniques, courtroom filming ethics, and the role of humor in panel shows. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with close textual analysis, examining how formal choices shape audience engagement. Clayton’s recent publications explore themes ranging from silent comedy’s gestural language to the philosophical underpinnings of film criticism. He actively contributes to public discourse through media engagements coordinated by the University’s Media and PR Team.
Chris Caines is a Visiting Professor (honorary) in the School of Communication at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He holds a PhD from UTS (2005-2011) and a Master's from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (1998-1999). Previously, he served as a Senior Lecturer at UTS from 2003 to 2020 and held visiting roles at the University of Sydney (2022–2026). His work bridges cinematic practices with emerging technologies, focusing on interactive storytelling, locative media, and digital cinema. He has produced site-specific projects using mobile and location-aware technologies, alongside experimental narrative forms. Research interests include hybrid media forms, virtual reality, and the intersection of technology with storytelling. His funded projects, such as the 'T5 Spatial Sound Project' (2018–2020) and 'Chop Your Own Wood: A Locative History Application' (2012–2014), reflect his commitment to innovative digital media applications. He has supervised PhD research on topics like spatial narrative and expanded music design. Key collaborations include work with institutions like the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the Blacktown Arts Centre. His creative works span installations, performances, and digital publications, often exploring themes of place, memory, and technology's role in artistic expression.
Dr. Natalie Krikowa is a Senior Lecturer in Digital and Social Media at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), specializing in media studies, queer representation, and disaster risk resilience. She holds a Doctor of Creative Arts from UTS and teaches in digital media and screen storytelling. Her research bridges academia and industry, focusing on amplifying marginalized voices through digital platforms and fostering inclusive practices. Krikowa is Co-Chief Investigator for Community Risk Reduction Research Australia and leads projects like Queer Representation Matters , an interactive documentary addressing LGBTQ+ media representation. Education: Doctor of Creative Arts (Media and Cultural Studies), UTS (2017) Masters & Bachelors, University of Canberra Her research interests include queer activism via interactive media, Indigenous cultural competency in education, and leveraging technology for disaster resilience. She has received teaching awards for integrating Indigenous capabilities into curricula and innovative remote learning during the pandemic. Krikowa is affiliated with organizations like the International Communication Association and Australian Writers Guild. Recent publications explore i-docs as queer activism tools, culturally competent disaster apps, and embedding Indigenous protocols in media programs. Her work emphasizes practical impact, collaborating with agencies like Fire and Rescue NSW. She coordinates UTS’s Bachelor of Communication and leads initiatives like the Technology, Media and Strategy Research Group. Awards include the EMPA Award for Emergency Communication Research and multiple teaching accolades. Krikowa’s creative projects, such as Queer Representation Matters , challenge media tropes and showcase marginalized narratives in festivals and conferences.
Judy Lieff is a Lecturer of Dance at the Conservatory of Dance, State University of New York at Purchase, and also teaches documentary film at Montclair State University. She holds a BFA from New York University and an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), with additional training in interactive media through NYU's ITP program. Her career began as a professional dancer, with credits including motion capture choreography for films like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas . Her research explores the integration of film, choreography, and technology, with focus areas including: The Body in the Browser: Choreography of code Documentary storytelling through dance Interactive media installations Motion capture as performance art Judy has received extensive recognition including the Japan Prize for her documentary Deaf Jam , Rockefeller Foundation grants, and multiple National Endowment for the Arts awards. She co-owns New Day Films, a filmmaker-run documentary distribution collective established in 1971. Her creative service includes residencies at the Banff Centre for the Arts, UCLA Dance/Media Fellowship, and youth media project grants. Current works in development include the documentary series Up For Debate exploring urban debate leagues.
