International Journal of Film and Media Arts - Vol. 10 No. 3 (2026): Special Issue: What Future for the Cinema of Small European Countries?

As film and media studies continue to shift away from grand narratives toward nuanced perspectives, new avenues for multidisciplinary and holistic inquiries are surfacing. This call for papers seeks contributions that treat cinema not as an isolated artistic form but as a socio-cultural and economic phenomenon deeply embedded in its surrounding environment. Such a stance integrates an approach that considers film as something that cannot be detached from its extra-cinematic context and combines it with a vision that contemplates issues related to cultural diversity, innovative disruption and changes in how audiences have access to – and engage with – films and audiovisual content. The goal is to create a dialogue that addresses cinema’s relationship with broader cultural, political, and economic realities in small European contexts, as well as the critical factors that these countries face due to paradigm changes and external circumstances.

The challenges faced by the film industries of small European countries are unique. Often, they must contend with limited funding, restricted access to distribution channels, and an ever-present struggle to maintain cultural specificity in the era of the “glocal”. In this environment, supply and demand are increasingly being disrupted by digital streaming platforms, which offer new funding opportunities, reach and visibility while heightening market competition and promoting cultural homogenisation. “CresCine: Increasing the international competitiveness of film industries in small European markets”, a project that started in 2023, has been looking into these issues (and more) and tackling the realities of the film industries of today from a myriad of angles. As its dissemination reaches full steam, this call for papers invites submissions that blend historical, theoretical, and empirical insights. We welcome contributions from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, including but not limited to film studies, cultural policy, sociology, economics, and media studies. Contributors are encouraged to consider how the unique positioning of small European cinemas may offer fresh insights into larger debates within global film studies, including those around sustainability, diversity, technological innovation, labour conditions, production methods, clusterisation, and audience engagement.
Through this call, we hope to foster a robust exchange of ideas that will not only illuminate the unique conditions of cinema in small European countries but also offer pathways for these industries to navigate the complexities of the 21st-century media landscape.

This issue of the International Journal of Film and Media Arts invites everyone with a research interest in the topic to submit papers that deal with but are not limited to the topics and questions of:
Knowledge About Small European Film Industries and Markets: what are the specificities of these markets? How do these markets fare in comparison (with each other and with markets from other countries with similar dimension/population)? What are the blind spots of the current literature and statistics on film markets?

Sustainability in, and of, Film Industries: How are small European countries building resilient film industries? What models of funding, institutional support, or cross-border collaboration are proving effective or necessary in these contexts? How can good environmental practices and precepts inform new production paradigms?
Technological Transformation and Digital Disruption: What are the impacts of digital and streaming technologies on the production, distribution, and consumption of films? How is AI disrupting the traditional value chain and its links? How are small countries leveraging or responding to these changes?

Cultural Policy and Film as a Cultural Good: What roles do national and regional policies play in supporting cinema in smaller markets? How can cultural policies promote balance between local industries and participation in a global media environment, and what is the stance of different stakeholders in this matter?
Audience Dynamics and Access: How are audience behaviours changing when it comes to accessing film and choosing what to watch? How do shifts in distribution models, such as streaming and on-demand platforms, affect local film industries and cultural consumption in small European countries?

Cinema as a Reflection of Cultural Identity: In what ways do films from smaller European nations reflect, challenge, or reshape notions of cultural and national identity? How can cinema still encompass linguistic diversity and regional narratives under the pressure of today’s markets? What are the specificities of the films from small European industries?

Film and Economics: Are intra-cinematic aspects of films becoming different due to extra-cinematic circumstances? What are the current labour conditions in small European countries, and what can workers in these industries expect in the future?

Methodologies: how can film and media studies become even more multidisciplinary? To what extent can methodologies from areas that are usually outside the scope of film and media studies feed more information into this field, help answer longstanding questions and create beneficial bridges?