Studying in the heart of London, one of the worlds leading media hubs, this MA in Film Programming and Curating from Birkbeck, University of London takes full advantage of its location to help students build professional networks, visit various sites of exhibition (from galleries and museums to film festivals and cultural centres) and learn about contemporary film programming and curatorial practice.
The MA provides a strong academic foundation and relates the latest theoretical thinking to critical practice. It encourages an independence of intellectual thought and spirit, equipping students with the necessary skills and historical and critical knowledge to nurture film and film culture. This MA offers a historical, intellectual and conceptual understanding of film programming, curatorial practice and moving image culture.
The curriculum involves:
- theories of spectatorship, the audience and the changing conditions of film reception
- sites of exhibition and the architecture of the filmic experience
- the role of the archive, film canons and the exhibition of great collections
- the practicalities involved in programming a film and locating audiences for it
The MA combines these strong historical, theoretical and academic foundations with site visits across London, as well as providing internships at leading cultural institutions and film centres, such as the ICA and BFI. students will have the chance to programme events for organisations as diverse as BFI Education, the Korean Cultural Centre and other film centres around London.
The MA teachers are internationally distinguished academics, while visits from cultural practitioners will introduce students to experienced film programmers, curators and art practitioners. Making full use of the opportunities offered by our proximity to Londons vibrant film culture, this MA provides a first step towards building a career in film programming and exhibition, or for further research into the cultures of curating and curatorial practice.
