Through the possibilities of voice, montage and other cinematic technologies, the essay film has become a powerful mode of critical inquiry and political image-making. This panel will explore the meaning and legacy of the essay film, and unpack the importance of this mode of filmmaking both to the history of cinema, and for contemporary practitioners working today.

This panel will be chaired by Matthew Barrington of the Essay Film Festival and will feature filmmakers  Graeme Arnfield and Sanaz Sohrabi whose essay films are screening as part of this year’s Open City programme.