Short Film Symposium Cork, Ireland, 6th-8th of October 2005 Cork Film Festival has, since its inception, been a champion of the short film. Though a varied festival, with feature and documentary programmes, the short film is at the heart of our work. We believe the short form to be challenging, innovative and rewarding. However, we also recognize that as an art form the short is unjustly neglected.

Therefore, to mark the festival's 50th anniversary and also Cork's tenure as the 2005 European Capital of Culture, we are hosting an international symposium on the short film.

The Short Film Symposium is intended as an intervention which will attempt to re-evaluate the short film's position as a specific art form within the broader context of cinema history.

The focus of the Symposium is the art of the short film, its history and aesthetics.

Who is the Symposium for?
The Symposium is a three-day gathering of the international short film community. It is for anyone working in the area of the short film with an interest in the history and aesthetics of the medium.

It is primarily aimed towards:
*Festival Programmers
*Film Curators
*Film Agencies
*Film Departments of National Film Agencies
*Film Critics
*Film Historians
*Film-studies academics and students
*Media students with similar concerns
*Film-makers.

It is our intention that the Symposium will be a valuable platform for open discussion about a unique art form. It is our hope that the bringing together of the international short film community will allow for the collective development of ideas which will have a bearing on the future of the short.

What is the content of the Symposium?
Symposium Timetable here>>

Where will it take place?
The Symposium will take place in Cork's newest luxury hotel, the Clarion, situated in the heart of the city. Some elements of the Symposium will take place in venues of local historic interest adjacent to the Clarion but the main venue will be the hotel itself. www.clarionhotelcorkcity.com The Clarion is positioned across the river from Cork's City Hall www.corkcorp.ie/maps (map-D).

Social Programme
We believe that the Symposium will be a productive experience for those who work in the short film arena. However we are confident that we can promise a very enjoyable experience also. In addition to the formal programme of talks, discussions and presentations, there will be opportunities to experience Irish music, literature and of course local food and drink. Jacques Henry-Bezy, initiator of the Jameson Short Film Awards, will welcome delegates to Midleton Distillery, home of Jameson Whiskey.

The Short Film Symposium is taking place within the context of Cork being European Cultural Capital in 2005 and with the financial support of Cork2005. Details of the Cork2005 programme for October can be found at www.cork2005.ie