Seminar: What can art(ist) films do differently?

This hands-on seminar with artist Benj Gerdes examines the possibilities today for films which might fall outside the mainstream. What different approaches to form can we learn from the “art film” now and how can an “artist film” suggest new ways of producing sounds and images outside of the standard industry models? Part lecture, part Show and Tell, participants are welcome to contribute with their own work and engage in a discussion about what it is that defines art film.

– Art film can mean so many things. I am interested in how certain techniques that were once considered anti-mainstream are now all over youtube, but mostly I'm excited by "art film" as a category when it allows new voices or approaches to not work fully in the service of the same storytelling tropes, but instead try to put together sounds and images to relate to film differently. Sometimes the best art comes from people who innovate by imitating poorly and turning what would traditionally be a weakness into a strength.

Benj Gerdes is an artist and film maker from New York, now residing in Gothenburg. He uses moving image tools to ask an audience to consider certain questions around social and political issues, drawing on techniques we might associate with video art, activist documentary, or amateur filmmaking. His work has been exhibited at Centre Pompidou in Paris, Rotterdam Film Festival and Tate Modern in London. He is also one of three jury members for the art film category at Frame filmfestival this year.

We recommend that you sign up for the seminar to guarantee yourself a spot, as well as receive more detailed information about what you can bring yourself.