Images of the Mediterranean
The LIDF is delighted to be part of the next edition of the programme ‘Images of the Mediterranean’. Together with our partners we have decided that the focus of the project during 2017 will be the question of migrants and refugees in the Mediterranean area. This theme was chosen not only for its topicality but also because of the synergies that it will be able to create with the research program ‘Babels, What cities are doing to migrants’ led by Mr. Michel Agier and funded by the National Research Agency (ANR), France. Researchers in this programme will be actively involved in the concluding workshops to be held in Paris and London.
Project Description
The training programme in visual anthropology ‘Images of the Mediterranean’, was initiated in 2014 by the Association Ethnoart in collaboration with institutions in France, Lebanon, Algeria and Morocco. Its aim is to bring together students and professionals from the audiovisual sector and the social sciences. The programme differs from other programmes in that it proposes to enhance the skills of young filmmakers and Mediterranean researchers by instigating a dialogue between the disciplines.
This approach is based upon the observation that film students in the countries concerned rarely have the opportunity to learn about the theories and practices of the social sciences, while students in the social sciences, although digitally competent, are not fully aware of the possibilities offered by film in terms of their research as well as in the general work market.
Guiding Principles
The training programme ‘Images of the Mediterranean’ is based upon three fundamental principles:
- An exchange between the two sides of the Mediterranean.
- An exchange between those working in the fields of documentary film and those in the social sciences.
- An exchange between people and institutions of the Arab Mediterranean countries
Structure and Outcomes
In bringing together young filmmakers and researchers on the southern shore of the Mediterranean the project aims to use the techniques of film and the insights of anthropology to shed light on the social issues which are of interest to citizens on both sides of the Mediterranean.
The specific outcome will be series of short films made in the 4 participating countries. Followed by the exhibition of these films in Paris and London with accompanying workshops and masterclasses. Where there will be the opportunity to discuss in detail how the movement of people in the Mediterranean is also affecting these two cities and broader sociological issues.
In order to achieve these goals the project has organised a series of workshops to take place in Lebanon, Algeria, Libya and Morocco between May 2017 and November 2017. The project will conclude the year at the Musée de l’Homme, Paris and at the British Museum, London.
The Partner Institutions
Principle Organisers
Ethnoart
The London International Documentary Festival
Partners Institutions by Country
Lebanon: The Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts; University of Saint Joseph
France: Musée de l’Homme, the CNRS, the IRD
Algeria: University of Tlemcen
Tunisia: Partner to define
Morocco: the Centre Jacques Berque
The Training Team
Agnès Jahier: Program Coordinator
Michel Tabet : Anthropologist, Director
Patrick Hazard: Anthropologist, Director of the London International Documentary Festival
Yazid Ben Hounet: Anthropologist (CNRS)
Jean-Claude Penrad: Anthropologist (EHESS)
Danièle Davie: Anthropologist and organiser of the Masters degree in documentary production at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts
Alexandra Mélot: Editor and member of the Commission of the CNC
Alban Biaussat: Director, producer, photographer
