Association des Cinémathèques Européennes – ACE Workshop in partnership with FIAF’s PACC (Programming and Access to Collections Commission of the International Federation of Film Archives)

Tuesday 24 June, 2pm-5.30pm
MAMbo – Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna, via Don Minzoni 14

How to Disseminate Heritage Cinema in a Changing Society?
Context, Responsibility, and Engagement: Strategies for Selecting and Programming Controversial Films While Preserving the Integrity of Our Audiovisual Heritage

Films often reflect the complexities, contradictions, and sometimes troubling aspects of the eras in which they were made. In the context of evolving societal paradigms and increasingly diverse audiences, programming classic cinema today poses both challenges and opportunities. The role of film archives and cinematheques is not just to preserve and disseminate cinematic heritage, but also to provide meaningful and responsible mediation. Today’s audiences, influenced by changing social values, heightened cultural sensitivities, and a growing awareness of historical injustices, view these works through new and diverse lenses.
The workshop will explore how programmers, curators and cultural mediators can respond to changing contexts by encouraging dialogue and helping audiences engage with the complexities of cinema history through modern and inclusive tools.
It will address several key issues related to the topic, including the evolution of programming and dissemination practices, the importance of contextualisation, an analysis of new audiences’ dynamics, and parallels with the academic environment today.
The discussion will also reflect on the role of film archives within the audiovisual and cultural sectors, as well as the need for adequate financial resources for appropriate mediation actions, professional training and educational projects.
It will focus on the possibility of a dynamic, reflective approach to heritage cinema: one that can address controversy openly and embraces cinema’s capacity to illuminate the past while encouraging reflection in the present. The panel will include contributions and testimonials from film programmers and curators, academics, and professionals working in the archival and cinema fields.