Tehran Welcomes American Film Scholar for Engaging Online Discussion
Get ready for an engaging academic experience as the 7th Tehran Short Film Studies Conference prepares to host a specialized virtual session featuring the esteemed film scholar Thomas M. Leitch. This event is organized by the Iranian Youth Cinema Society (IYCS), a prominent institution in cinema and short film production both in Iran and globally.
This online session is set to occur on Wednesday and will showcase Professor Leitch as the keynote international speaker. He is a highly respected figure from the University of Delaware in the United States.
During the event, Navid Pourmohammadreza, a noted film researcher and instructor from Iran, will deliver an introductory presentation. Pourmohammadreza is also a valued member of the conference’s scientific committee. The session will be moderated by Mehdi Chavoshvar, an expert and translator in the field.
Professor Leitch’s talk is titled “The Persistent Marginalization of Adaptation in Short Films”. This presentation aims to shed light on the often-overlooked topic of adaptation within the short film genre. Following his insightful discussion, participants will have the chance to engage with Leitch through a Q&A session.
The upcoming conference is not the first of its kind. It builds on two prior sessions that were organized in collaboration with the Iranian Book and Literature Home and the Iranian Youth Cinema Society. These earlier discussions featured:
- Mehrzad Danesh on “Adaptation from Non-Fiction and Religious Texts”
- Ramin Shahbazi on “New Theories of Adaptation”
These sessions took place at the 36th Tehran International Book Fair’s Literature Pavilion last week, further emphasizing the rich academic discourse surrounding film adaptation in various contexts.
Born in 1951, Thomas M. Leitch is a distinguished American academic with a prolific background in film scholarship. He has significantly contributed to the fields of film studies and cultural analysis. Leitch earned his undergraduate degree magna cum laude in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University in 1972. He went on to obtain both his MA (1973) and PhD (1976) from Yale University.
Leitch’s academic journey began at Yale, where he served as an assistant professor in the Department of English until 1983. He then transitioned to the University of Delaware, where he started as an assistant professor. His career trajectory saw him promoted to associate professor in 1986 and then to full professor of English in 1991, a role he continues to fulfill today. His research interests span a wide array of topics, including:
- American and British literature
- Cultural studies
- Film studies
- New media
- Public humanities
Leitch’s fascination with film took root in the 1980s, prompting him to teach both undergraduate courses on film and graduate courses focusing on cultural and literary theory. His extensive body of work includes influential titles such as “Film Adaptation and Its Discontents” and “The Encyclopedia of Alfred Hitchcock”. These publications have had a lasting impact on contemporary discussions around film, literature, and digital knowledge.
His academic pursuits encompass diverse areas, including film studies, adaptation theory, and Hitchcock studies, making him a pivotal figure in the realm of film scholarship.
As the 7th Tehran Short Film Studies Conference approaches, the anticipation for Professor Leitch’s insights on adaptation in short films continues to build. This event promises to be a significant opportunity for participants to engage deeply with the topic and gain valuable perspectives from one of the leading voices in film studies today.
For those interested in the intersection of literature and film, this virtual session serves as a crucial platform to explore the nuances of adaptation and its relevance in contemporary short filmmaking. Don’t miss out on this chance to expand your understanding of film adaptation in a global context.
