ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM
Can a relationship be established between films and philosophy? What kind of contributions can cinema make to philosophy itself? Beyond supporting written philosophy, is it possible for cinema to engage in philosophy on its own terms and generate original ideas? If films indeed do philosophy, how does this philosophy—carried out through images—differ from the one done through words and writing?
Led by SineFilozofi Journal, the first and only internationally indexed academic journal in Türkiye dedicated to the field of philosophy of cinema, a sinephilosophical intellectual journey has been sustained since 2016. This journey gained a regular and institutional structure with the Cinema and Philosophy Symposium series initiated in 2018, and reached a new phase in 2022 with the establishment of the Cinema and Philosophy Association.
Within this framework, the 8th International Cinema and Philosophy Symposium of SineFilozofi Journal was successfully held in Ankara on December 5–6, 2025, organized in collaboration with SineFilozofi Journal and the Cinema and Philosophy Association. The symposium brought together academics, cinema practitioners, and cinephiles who think, produce, and create space for critical thought in the fields of cinema and philosophy.
As part of the eighth-year program, distinguished invited speakers in the field of cinema and philosophy took part in the symposium. In this context, Nathan T. Anderson, author of Shadow Philosophy: Plato’s Cave and Cinema and Film, Philosophy, and Reality: Ancient Greece to Godard; filmmaker Yeşim Ustaoğlu; and Lucy Bolton, known for her work on the relationship between film and philosophy, were among the invited speakers who contributed to the symposium.
In addition, Shadmehr Rastin and Amin Jafari participated in the event as keynote speakers, and a special screening of No Bears, directed by Jafar Panahi, was held.
Beyond the invited speakers, as in previous years, the symposium brought together academic paper presentations and talks with filmmakers and artists, opening up the relationship between cinema and philosophy from multiple perspectives and creating a dynamic space of intellectual exchange between academia and cinematic practice.
The 8th International Cinema and Philosophy Symposium of SineFilozofi Journal was held in cooperation with the Ankara City Council (ACC) at the ACC Reception Building, and was completed over two days with strong participation.
We extend our sincere thanks to all speakers, presenters, participants, audience members, and collaborating partners who contributed to the realization of the symposium.
We will continue this intellectual journey, which we have been sustaining regularly for eight years, with new gatherings in the coming year.
Symposium Organizing Committee
Symposium Organizing Committee