124268 AR Cultural/Media Studies 1/2 (AR) (2026S)

Poetry Films

SEMINAR

Department of English and American Studies - University of Vienna

Education

In collaboration with the Arts. Visuals and Poetry Film Festival in Vienna, Martina Pfeiler (University of Vienna) introduces students to key methods and theories for analyzing poetry films. 

Poetry films, also known as poetryfilms, videopoems, or Cin(E-)Poetry, challenge conventional ideas about poetry by combining and juxtaposing poetic language with moving images and sound. Drawing on concepts from media studies, film theory, cultural studies, and literary studies, the course examines how poetic meaning is created through audiovisual techniques as well as through animated and written text on screen. The seminar covers historical and contemporary developments in poetry film, ranging, for instance, from experimental films of the 1920s, to Beat poetry, performance poetry clips, and digital poetry films of the 2020s. Students analyze poetry films that circulate on social media and are screened at poetry film festivals, exploring and investigating new ways of mediating and publishing poetry in the digital age. Students discuss the cultural and political roles of poets and media artists in an expanding global technoscape, and they reflect on implications for teaching poetry in the classroom. 

Between 7 April  and 10 April 10, 2026, students will gain insight into some of the cultural practices of the Arts, Visuals, and Poetry Film Festival in Vienna, attend poetry readings, and experience poetry films on the big screen.

For further information, please contact martina.pfeiler@univie.ac.at

see https://martinapfeilercrossroads.com

Details