Fatih Abay
New Voices, New Images - Future Auteur Cinema Beyond Stereotypes
Block Seminar, English/Deutsch, 2 SWS, 2 ECTS
Saturdays/Sundays, 10 - 17 h on 29.11./30.11. and 6.12./7.12.2025, Hardenbergstr. 33, room 004

Registration on Moodle starts on 13.10.2025:https://moodle.udk-berlin.de/moodle/course/view.php?id=2855
Enrollment Key:cinema

How does a new generation of filmmakers break stereotypes and develop innovative narratives? This intensive seminar analyzes contemporary auteur cinema by directors like Céline Sciamma, Barry Jenkins, and Chloé Zhao, examining how marginalized voices reshape cinematic storytelling. Through film analysis and creative exercises, students explore authentic representation and develop their own approaches to stereotype-free narratives. We work with character development, screenplay writing, and curatorial thinking to envision the future of inclusive cinema. Focus is on critical and creative thinking rather than technical production.

Literature:
bell hooks: "Reel to Real: Race, Sex, and Class at the Movies".
Laura Mulvey: "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema".

Films:
"Portrait de la jeune fille en feu" (Sciamma, 2019).
"Moonlight" (Jenkins, 2016).
"The Farewell" (Wang, 2019).
"Petite Maman" (Sciamma, 2021).

Fulfilment criteria for ungraded accreditation: Final project options: 1) Treatment/screenplay (5-10 pages) breaking stereotypes, 2) Curatorial proposal for diverse film series with program notes, 3) Critical essay (2000-3000 words) on representation in auteur cinema, 4) Creative presentation reimagining classic scenes from marginalized perspectives. Plus a brief reflection on chosen approach.

Fatih Abay is Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the European Film Academy, developing institutional D&I strategies and representing the Academy at international festivals and policy forums. As freelance Industry Consultant at Film Advanced he advises production companies on inclusive storytelling and equitable practices. Previously Research Assistant and Policy Advisor at CLAIM - Alliance against Islamophobia and Lecturer at European Universities , teaching cultural diversity and migration. Currently completing PhD in Cultural Anthropology at European University Viadrina, focusing on representation of marginalized groups in cultural public sphere. Holds MA Political Science (CEU Budapest) and BA European Studies (University of Maastricht). Fluent in German, Turkish, English, French and Italian.