Central Asia on Film
February 18-19, 2026, on zoom
The Central Asia Research Forum aims to bring together scholars in all disciplines and stages of the research process to discuss the theme of Central Asia on film. Since the 1930s, cinema in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan has experienced numerous shifts and rebirths that have documented cultural, social, and political changes in the region. We welcome proposals for paper presentations, panels, and roundtables on this year’s theme.
While the focus is film scholarship, the forum is open to discussions of contemporary cinematic practices as part of an effort to bring together those who make Central Asian film and the scholars who study it. We also invite proposals that chronicle contemporary Central Asian cinema since 1991, including works in progress that discuss the film industry, archives and film collections, organizational records of film studios, and film making in Central Asia. We strongly encourage graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, librarians, and archivists to submit proposals and share their scholarly perspectives.
Participants are welcome to present in any language, but we ask participants to provide an accompanying English translation of their remarks.
Those interested in presenting should submit an abstract by January 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., CST.
Submit a proposal: https://forms.gle/gmpzPbQuhUxpYeCd9
Register to attend: https://forms.gle/1EgFzpz1r7x6NUrX8
Questions? Contact srscite@library.illinois.edu