My First International Conference: Enthusiasm, Exchange and New Perspectives
From October 9 to 10, 2025, I had the opportunity to attend my very first international conference - “Screening the Scene: Rethinking European Film Competitiveness.” As a Master’s student in Communication Science and Theatre, Film and Media Studies at the University of Vienna, I recently joined Professor Katharine Sarikakis’ team as a Teaching Assistant and Research Associate in the REBOOT Project. For me, this conference was a chance to experience the academic working world I have just entered from a new perspective.
Outside academia, I am an enthusiastic cinemagoer with a “Nonstop Abo” - a subscription that grants unlimited access to Vienna’s arthouse cinemas. I am especially drawn to Austrian and European productions. Watching European cinema often feels like discovering pieces of a collective identity: a “we” that is built through storytelling, reflection and diversity. So my personal connection to European film was one of the main reasons I was so eager to attend the conference. It offered a chance to see how this shared cultural space is being discussed, challenged and reimagined from many perspectives.
A Venue Steeped in History
The moment I entered the “Alte Kapelle” (literally “Old Chapel”) - the historic venue of the conference at the heart of the University of Vienna campus - I felt a special atmosphere. The campus, located in the 9th district Alsergrund, has a long history: it began in 1693 as a charitable hospital under Emperor Leopold I and became the General Hospital (AKH) in 1784, where prominent figures of the Viennese medical school worked. After the New AKH was built, the city transferred the old site to the university in 1988, which transformed it into a campus opened in 1998. Amid this living history, the Alte Kapelle feels like a bridge to the past, a space where the centuries seem to linger in the light and shadows.
Yet in the midst of this historic setting, the room was alive with conversation. You could sense the energy of a network of scholars and practitioners that extended far beyond the event itself. People from 19 countries all over the world had come together to discuss the future of European cinema - and with it, questions of culture, technology and social responsibility.
A Space Full of Passion and Critical Openness
What struck me immediately was the spirit of togetherness: open, curious and driven by genuine interest in exchange. Researchers, filmmakers, students and creatives from around the world engaged in dialogue - as equals. Critical thinking was not only welcome but encouraged. Different viewpoints met, yet a shared passion united everyone: enthusiasm for film, for research and for cultural dialogue.
Diversity as a Strength
The panels and keynotes revealed just how multifaceted the topic of “European film competitiveness” truly is. Discussions about streaming platforms, diversity, legal frameworks and new technological developments showed that cinema today is not merely a cultural asset but also a political and social arena. Particularly inspiring were the international perspectives: valuable insights from Latin America, Turkey, South Korea and South Africa reminded us that European film culture must also be understood within a global context.
Scholarship that Connects
Between presentations, coffee breaks and spontaneous conversations, a unique dynamic emerged. It was fascinating to see ideas evolving across borders. What began as academic talks grew into lively debates; encounters turned into new collaborations - and I witnessed many joyful reunions among colleagues and friends. This experience showed me that research is not an isolated process, but comes alive where people engage in dialogue.
Inspiration for the Future
For me, the conference was far more than an academic event - it was an experience that opened new horizons. I gained insights into current research and cultural debates and, more importantly, felt what it means to be part of an international community committed to innovation.
I left the conference with fresh perspectives, valuable new (LinkedIn) connections and a deep conviction that exchange and collaboration are the keys to a sustainable, inclusive and creative future for European cinema.
Outside academia, I am an enthusiastic cinemagoer with a “Nonstop Abo” - a subscription that grants unlimited access to Vienna’s arthouse cinemas. I am especially drawn to Austrian and European productions. Watching European cinema often feels like discovering pieces of a collective identity: a “we” that is built through storytelling, reflection and diversity. So my personal connection to European film was one of the main reasons I was so eager to attend the conference. It offered a chance to see how this shared cultural space is being discussed, challenged and reimagined from many perspectives.
A Venue Steeped in History
The moment I entered the “Alte Kapelle” (literally “Old Chapel”) - the historic venue of the conference at the heart of the University of Vienna campus - I felt a special atmosphere. The campus, located in the 9th district Alsergrund, has a long history: it began in 1693 as a charitable hospital under Emperor Leopold I and became the General Hospital (AKH) in 1784, where prominent figures of the Viennese medical school worked. After the New AKH was built, the city transferred the old site to the university in 1988, which transformed it into a campus opened in 1998. Amid this living history, the Alte Kapelle feels like a bridge to the past, a space where the centuries seem to linger in the light and shadows.
Yet in the midst of this historic setting, the room was alive with conversation. You could sense the energy of a network of scholars and practitioners that extended far beyond the event itself. People from 19 countries all over the world had come together to discuss the future of European cinema - and with it, questions of culture, technology and social responsibility.
A Space Full of Passion and Critical Openness
What struck me immediately was the spirit of togetherness: open, curious and driven by genuine interest in exchange. Researchers, filmmakers, students and creatives from around the world engaged in dialogue - as equals. Critical thinking was not only welcome but encouraged. Different viewpoints met, yet a shared passion united everyone: enthusiasm for film, for research and for cultural dialogue.
Diversity as a Strength
The panels and keynotes revealed just how multifaceted the topic of “European film competitiveness” truly is. Discussions about streaming platforms, diversity, legal frameworks and new technological developments showed that cinema today is not merely a cultural asset but also a political and social arena. Particularly inspiring were the international perspectives: valuable insights from Latin America, Turkey, South Korea and South Africa reminded us that European film culture must also be understood within a global context.
Scholarship that Connects
Between presentations, coffee breaks and spontaneous conversations, a unique dynamic emerged. It was fascinating to see ideas evolving across borders. What began as academic talks grew into lively debates; encounters turned into new collaborations - and I witnessed many joyful reunions among colleagues and friends. This experience showed me that research is not an isolated process, but comes alive where people engage in dialogue.
Inspiration for the Future
For me, the conference was far more than an academic event - it was an experience that opened new horizons. I gained insights into current research and cultural debates and, more importantly, felt what it means to be part of an international community committed to innovation.
I left the conference with fresh perspectives, valuable new (LinkedIn) connections and a deep conviction that exchange and collaboration are the keys to a sustainable, inclusive and creative future for European cinema.
Author: Sarah Baumgartner