Call for Papers: Cinematic (Hi)stories in/of Central Asia: New Perspectives
Paris 8-10 October 2026
Central Asian cinema has (finally) moved into the focus of scholarly attention, particularly following the Russian invasion and a new approach to geopolitical boundaries. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, which now goes back over thirty years, the Central Asian Republics (CARs, viz Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) have gained independence. Cinema histories have been rewritten, and film industries have developed in different ways and at different speeds. While Kazakhstan has built a production and distribution network, largely independent of Russia, Kyrgyzstan has grown its own production agenda with a strong art-house presence whilst also catering for local audiences. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has built a good network of cinemas but relies on Russia for training and for distribution, whilst its film production remains closed on its own culture. More importantly, we have seen a new approach to Soviet-era films made in Central Asia. Looking back at archival production files, researchers have shed a new light on the interventions and relationship between Moscow’s Goskino and the local authorities and studio councils, and how this has impacted on the final films.
It is therefore high time to devote a conference to the cinema of Central Asia and look again, or afresh, at its history and its present state. We are looking for papers on aspects of the history and the current state of Central Asian cinema. In particular, we are interested in discussions around such topics as: How do we write or rewrite national film histories? How national, transnational or global is the Central Asian film industry? What kind of historical plots drive Soviet and contemporary films made in Central Asia (narratives and representation of historical figures)? How do production histories develop and reflect political agendas, in particular regarding scriptwriting, censorship interventions, studio management, and production finance? How centralized or decentralized is film education in the republics since their independence?
We welcome proposals in these areas, but also broader issues of bilateral or global relations. We invite the submission of abstract (300w) with a short (200w) biographical note, by 30 December 2025 to the following email: cacinema.paris26@proton.me
This conference is organised by Birgit Beumers (University of Passau) and Eugenie Zvonkine (University Paris 8, ESTCA), and it is funded through a DFG grant “Central Asia as Cinematic Territory” and the French University Institute (IUF).
Working languages are English and Russian. The publication of a selection of papers is planned.
Birgit Beumers, Eugénie Zvonkine, November 2025
