What Future for the Cinema of Small European Countries? - Open Call for Papers IJFMA Vol. 10 No. 3 Dossier II

The editorial board of the International Journal of Film and Media Arts is pleased to announce an open call for submissions for Vol. 10 No. 3, Dossier 2 What Future for the Cinema of Small European Countries?, in collaboration with the European Project Crescine.

The question posed in the title of this call for papers is not rhetorical; it reflects an urgent need to critically examine and actively engage with the current and future state of cinema in Europe’s smaller nations. This question invites scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to challenge the prevailing paradigms in film studies, which have historically emphasised a binary view of Hollywood versus European/World cinema.

Such dichotomies often obscure the unique dynamics and opportunities that shape the film industries of small European countries. In the current landscape, characterised by uncertainty brought about by rapid technological changes and an increasingly competitive global market, a reassessment of these frameworks is not only timely but necessary.

As film and media studies continue to shift away from grand narratives toward nuanced perspectives, new avenues for multidisciplinary and holistic inquiries are surfacing. This call for papers seeks contributions that treat cinema not as an isolated artistic form but as a socio-cultural and economic phenomenon deeply embedded in its surrounding environment. Such a stance integrates an approach that considers film as something that cannot be detached from its extra-cinematic context and combines it with a vision that contemplates issues related to cultural diversity, innovative disruption and changes in how audiences have access to – and engage with – films and audiovisual content. The goal is to create a dialogue that addresses cinema’s relationship with broader cultural, political, and economic realities in small European contexts, as well as the critical factors that these countries face due to paradigm changes and external circumstances.

The challenges faced by the film industries of small European countries are unique. Often, they must contend with limited funding, restricted access to distribution channels, and an ever-present struggle to maintain cultural specificity in the era of the “glocal”. In this environment, supply and demand are increasingly being disrupted by digital streaming platforms, which offer new funding opportunities, reach and visibility while heightening market competition and promoting cultural homogenisation. “CresCine: Increasing the international competitiveness of film industries in small European markets”, a project that started in 2023, has been looking into these issues (and more) and tackling the realities of the film industries of today from a myriad of angles. As its dissemination reaches full steam, this call for papers invites submissions that blend historical, theoretical, and empirical insights. We welcome contributions from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, including but not limited to film studies, cultural policy, sociology, economics, and media studies. Contributors are encouraged to consider how the unique positioning of small European cinemas may offer fresh insights into larger debates within global film studies, including those around sustainability, diversity, technological innovation, labour conditions, production methods, clusterisation, and audience engagement.
Through this call, we hope to foster a robust exchange of ideas that will not only illuminate the unique conditions of cinema in small European countries but also offer pathways for these industries to navigate the complexities of the 21st-century media landscape.

This issue of the International Journal of Film and Media Arts invites everyone with a research interest in the topic to submit papers that deal with but are not limited to the topics and questions of:
Knowledge About Small European Film Industries and Markets: what are the specificities of these markets? How do these markets fare in comparison (with each other and with markets from other countries with similar dimension/population)? What are the blind spots of the current literature and statistics on film markets?

Sustainability in, and of, Film Industries: How are small European countries building resilient film industries? What models of funding, institutional support, or cross-border collaboration are proving effective or necessary in these contexts? How can good environmental practices and precepts inform new production paradigms?
Technological Transformation and Digital Disruption: What are the impacts of digital and streaming technologies on the production, distribution, and consumption of films? How is AI disrupting the traditional value chain and its links? How are small countries leveraging or responding to these changes?

Cultural Policy and Film as a Cultural Good: What roles do national and regional policies play in supporting cinema in smaller markets? How can cultural policies promote balance between local industries and participation in a global media environment, and what is the stance of different stakeholders in this matter?
Audience Dynamics and Access: How are audience behaviours changing when it comes to accessing film and choosing what to watch? How do shifts in distribution models, such as streaming and on-demand platforms, affect local film industries and cultural consumption in small European countries?

Cinema as a Reflection of Cultural Identity: In what ways do films from smaller European nations reflect, challenge, or reshape notions of cultural and national identity? How can cinema still encompass linguistic diversity and regional narratives under the pressure of today’s markets? What are the specificities of the films from small European industries?

Film and Economics: Are intra-cinematic aspects of films becoming different due to extra-cinematic circumstances? What are the current labour conditions in small European countries, and what can workers in these industries expect in the future?

Methodologies: how can film and media studies become even more multidisciplinary? To what extent can methodologies from areas that are usually outside the scope of film and media studies feed more information into this field, help answer longstanding questions and create beneficial bridges?

Keywords: Film Industries; Small European Countries; SVoD; Economics; Audiences.

Full Papers to be submitted by June 30 2025
Provide two Word documents (.doc) with:
1. Full Paper prepared for blind peer review.
The document should not mention the authors or the institution they belong to. The authors must ensure that their manuscripts are prepared so that they do not reveal their identities to reviewers, either directly or indirectly.

2. Title Page:
a) Name (Preferred Public Name)
b) Affiliation of each author (university + country)
c) ORCID (optional)
d) Short bio (max. 50 words) per author
e) Acknowledgements (if needed)

Please submit your full paper on the IJFMA website under the Submission section.
When submitting, include the Open Call for which your paper should be reviewed.

Website: https://revistas.ulusofona.pt/index.php/ijfma/about/submissions

Schedule for publication:
Submission of full paper: 30th June 2025
Feedback on full papers: 15th September 2025
Final revisions: 30th October 2025
Publication date: December 2025

Submissions will be made anonymously. Submissions will be reviewed by at least 2 peer reviewers.
No fees are requested for submission or processing.

This special Dossier is been prepared in collaboration with the European Project CresCine (101094988 — CresCine — HORIZON-CL2-2022-HERITAGE-01).