Association for Social Anthropology in Oceania 2021 Conference Distinguished Lecture: Contemporary Filmmaking in Oceania

This piece is an edited version of the Distinguished Lecture at the 2021 ASAO conference. The discussion centers the real life lessons and experiences of filmmakers, contributing to and challenging conversations about media and cultural production. The piece begins with a brief overview of the past and present of visual anthropology and media in Oceania. Panelists then recount their own journeys to filmmaking in their lives. The discussion moves to the industry and demographic concerns of film in the region, as well as questions of developing national identities and their experiences of production in different cultural contexts. Panelists speak in detail on the systemic barriers of accessing funding, and about film as a profession in the context of ethnic, gender, and class inequality. After speaking about the nature of transnational collaborations and relationships, panelists discuss the value of communities viewing themselves on screen, and the importance of accountability.