The cultural impacts of film festivals in multicultural cities: the case of Barcelona Asian Film Festival Alba Colombo Open University of Catalonia European Festival Research Project Urban impact of artistic festivals Helsinki Workshop – April, 2008

Some preliminary ideas: Under the influence of/in response to a globalised world some European cities are undergoing change in their societies and their identities, and thus becoming a part of the worldwide Network Society (Castells 2001)‏ Cultural dialogue is a critical issue for multicultural cities in Europe Cultural events such as film festivals may play a role as catalysts of cultural communication (developing intercultural dialogue and competence). They may have specific/unique cultural impacts on European multicultural cities

Collect information about the cultural impacts of film festivals within the framework of a multicultural society and through the presentation of a specific case study. Establish a research methodology with both qualitative and quantitative dimensions that allows for the exploration and analysis of the topic. Research objectives, to:

Focus of the study: Film Festival Typologies: Festivals –Competitive programmes –Première films Muestras (festival)‏ –Generally: non competitive programmes –Recent films Cycles (Film weeks)‏ –Non-competitive programmes –Thematic related films, premières, recent and old films Content delimitation: Genre (comedy, horror, gender, science fiction…etc.)‏ Culture (Arabic, Jewish, Kurdish, France, Italian…etc.)‏ Geographic preference (African, Asian, Latin-American..etc.)‏

This research aims to analyse the cultural impacts of the cultural activity. The direct and indirect cultural impacts include: cultural event, press, communication …etc. The cultural impact of an activity includes their social impacts which should be analysed as a part of this structure. Focus of the study: Cultural Impact

Sections: –Official, Asian selection, D-Cinema, guest country; China, Animation Zone, Special screenings Parallel activities: –Parties - Bollywood opening party –Concerts: Japan electronic music Case study: Barcelona Asian Film Festival 2007 USA Holland France Co-producers: 3 Hong Kong  ChinaMalaysi a  JapanSouth Korea India TaiwanCambodia  ThailandIndonesia  FilipinasTajikistan Asian Countries: 13 4 cinemas 6 screening rooms 64 Large Films 11 short film programme April- May1.000 Retinas Spectators9 edition (1998)‏

Some general information for Barcelona 2007: 1,603,178 Population 259,760 Foreign population (16.2% of the total population)‏ 41,441 Asian population (16% of the foreign population)‏ Social context: Barcelona as a multicultural city Source: Catalonia National Institute of Statistics ( Barcelona nationalities of foreign population

Casa Asia is the only institution that has a relationship with the Asian community/geographic origin of the films. The festival itself has no direct relationship with the BCN Asian communities. The festival has no direct contact with the Asian population in Barcelona. The festival is financed by the Spanish government, the Catalan government and the city council. Some considerations

Methodological approach Hypothesis Through attending the festival the audience increases its contact with/ understanding of Asian cultures. The audience of the festival is predominantly drawn from Catalan/Spanish people but the percentage drawn from the Asian population is relatively low. If the festival were to have a stronger relationship with Barcelona’s Asian communities the cultural impact would be higher. Whilst the festival has connecting and communicative elements it is not really developing the dialogue between the Asian cultures and the Catalan/Spanish community/culture. Research instruments Surveys: festival audience Interviews: BAFF directors, film distributors, Asian communities in Barcelona Documental analysis, catalogues, publications, press …etc

In order to help in the development of this cultural communication (developing intercultural dialogue and competence) it would be a good idea to include/encourage some co production programmes between Spanish and Asian producers during the festival. The festival should offer parallel activities that specifically link the festival with Asian cultural associations, institutions and enterprises. The festival should seek to link with other Asian cultural activities that take place in the city at other times in the year. That the festival should aim to develop its audience platform through a festival friends scheme Preliminary recommendations

Thanks for your attention Comments and suggestions are very welcome Alba Colombo