Documentaries do so through artistic choices in the use of cinematic language such as sound, image and editing and through a focus on everyday human drama beyond the headlines. In this course, we will investigate the different ways in which documentaries depict migrants, refugees and people in exile through a visit to IDFA, one of the world’s largest and leading documentary festivals.

In the first part, students will be introduced to the field of documentary studies and get acquainted with the different (historical) modes of documentary storytelling. We will then zoom in on the issue of the representation of migration by attending multiple screenings at IDFA. In the second part, students will translate these insights and ideas into a concept for a their own (short) documentary on the issue of migration and they will develop a treatment.

Students will attend interactive lectures and guest lectures by filmmakers/researchers/experts, they will attend multiple screenings during IDFA (12-23 November), they will (individually) reflect on the topic of the representation of migration by writing an essay and they will (in groups) develop a concept, do research and write a treatment for their own (short) documentary.

Coordinator

Andrea Meuzelaar

Timetable

All lectures will take place on-campus and we assume you can be physically present during the scheduled hours. You can find the timetable on Datanose.

Registration

Registration is possible for students participating in an Honours programme. The registration period for the Honours courses will be from June 6, 10:00 am to June 10, 11.59 pm. You can register through the online registration form that will appear on Honoursmodules IIS. (registration is NOT through SIS)

Please note: Placement is not guaranteed if you register after June 10, so make sure you register on time. You will hear which course(s) you are registered for before the end of June. 

For questions about registration, please contact us at: honours-iis@uva.nl.