2023 GUIDELINES TO SUBMIT A FILM TO THE FILM FESTIVAL
The 2023 ACR Conference Film Festival will continue the tradition of advancing videographic consumer research. We invite films that address the audiovisual character of consumer research phenomena or innovative film-based approaches that advance the field in new directions, as well as submissions outside of these themes.
Submissions. Two types of submissions are invited:
Stand-alone films: These films are complete, self-standing research projects. To see examples of films, please take a look at the variety of structures and approaches characterizing recent award winners:
Thomas Stenger (2019) won Judges’ Choice Videography award for "Spot - Conquering the Public Space - Ethnography of a Spatial Practice: Downhill Longboarding" - trailer: https://vimeo.com/366754591
Takeshi Mitsui (2019) won Best First-Time Videography award for "Zakka: Uncategorized Culture of Uncategorized Goods, An Oral History of Uncategorized Man" - trailer: https://vimeo.com/355934258
Michelle Renee Nelson, Yanyun (Mia) Wang, Kathy Tian, Gail Ferguson, Rachel Powell, and Candice Wray (2018) won Best Videography award for “Teaching Consumer Resistance in Jamaica: Subvertising in Action” – trailer: https://vimeo.com/291221474
Films with commentary (up to 1000 words): The textual commentary adds to, comments on, and enriches the videography element with academic references. This format allows for maximum flexibility in terms of combining text and video in novel ways. The textual commentary will be published in the ACR Proceedings.
Recommended length for film festival submissions considered for the track is up to 20 minutes (due to track presentation format). Shorter and longer (up to 50-minutes long) submissions may be submitted, but their acceptance requires outstanding videographic quality.
To increase the probability that submissions are original and distinctive, authors are advised to visit the ACR website (http://www.acrwebsite.org/go/acrfilms) and look through the film section. Extra care should be taken by authors to avoid copyright infringement: https://www.desktop-documentaries.com/copyright-issues.html.
Submission Procedure
In addition to the items noted under “General Guidelines,” Film Festival submissions should include:
Title. This is the title that will be published in the conference program.
Abstract (50-words). This abstract will be published in the conference program and should concentrate on the big picture contribution(s) of the film.
Authors. Provide name, email address and affiliation for each author. Please indicate the author order and whether each author will serve as corresponding author, presenter or both.
Film. Films should be uploaded onto Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/) and allocated password access. Please provide both the link and password in the submission box. Also, please make sure to remove all (written) author information from the submission and its credits to allow for blind review.
Structured abstract or text commentary. Authors should submit a structured abstract of up to 300 words or a text commentary of 1,000 words, which will be published in the ACR Proceedings, using the following headings and guidelines:
Intended Contribution to Knowledge: What is the specific gap in knowledge and research question(s) the film seeks to answer? What is the unique perspective?
Literature Foundations: To which body of consumer research literature does the film contribute? On which frameworks, ideas, concepts and/or theories does it rely?
Research Method: What methodological and analytical procedure was followed? What is the specific research and/or videography-making context (when relevant)?
Findings and Implications: What knowledge, explanations, concepts, theories, methodological considerations, results and/or experiential insights does the film contribute to its research domain?
Key References: List up to 6 key references.
Honor code statements. At the time of submission, you will be asked to make the following pledges: (a) that the film being submitted represents accurately the data and phenomena observed, (b) that the film submitted to the conference is your own original work, and (c) that your research received an approval or a waiver, as appropriate, from your Institutional Review Board (IRB) and consent of participants. Please confirm (a) that the presenting authors are not listed as a presenter in more than two sessions in total, and (b) that the film has not been submitted as part of another session, or previously presented at ACR, and has not been published or accepted for publication (including online publications and ACR Proceedings).
Evaluation
Submissions will be evaluated on: a) contribution to knowledge on consumer research topics; b) timeliness and topicality; c) theatrical or dramatic qualities; d) production value, including using new experimental videography production techniques; and e) ethical conduct.
To aid in ensuring your film is well-received by the reviewers, consider the following points:
Is there a compelling reason for using videography to present the research? Having videographic data does not necessarily mean a film can/should be made. Consider the narrative, rationale and time needed to express your results via videography.
Creativity in presentation of research. Films do not need to follow the standard academic structure with research questions, methodology, discussion, and conclusion. However, there should be a clear link to consumer research. In addition to traditional documentary films, filmmakers could consider submitting animations, fictional films, and experimental films.
Multiple data sources and research paradigms are encouraged. Films often lend themselves to qualitative methods; however, this is not to say that other methodologies are not welcome.
Consider reading Belk et al.'s (2018) piece on using videography to develop marketing knowledge: Belk, Caldwell, Devinney, Eckhardt, Henry, Kozinets and Plakoyiannaki (2018), “Envisioning Consumers: How Videography Can Contribute to Marketing Knowledge,” Journal of Marketing Management, 34:5-6, 432-458, DOI: 10.1080/0267257X.2017.1377754
Acceptances
Authors will be informed if their film has been accepted by mid-May 2023. Author(s) may need to modify their films in line with recommendations of the Film Festival Co-Chairs and reviewers and describe how they addressed (or not) the comments. Authors whose work is accepted should also submit a short trailer (1-2 minutes), the modified version of the film, and the modified abstract or text commentary by August 19, 2023. The trailer should not be password protected and should be available for public viewing via a Vimeo link, which should be emailed to Film Festival Co-Chairs Finola Kerrigan (f.kerrigan@fashion.arts.ac.uk) and Eric Li (eric.li@ubc.ca). Trailers will be linked to and screened on the conference website with the abstract to promote awareness and engage the ACR community. An author can only submit (or be a co-author on) up to two films in the Film Festival. This approach is intended to encourage authors to submit their highest quality work.
Accepted Films will be Accessible through the ACR Website
All authors are asked to agree to make their films accessible through the Film Section of the Association for Consumer Research website as well as the conference website. At the end of the structured abstract or text commentary, which will be published on the ACR website, a Vimeo link to the film should be provided so that each film can be viewed without using a password, OR an email address should be supplied so that the person wanting to view a film can contact the lead filmmaker and request a link.
Presentation
Viewing sessions for films will be scheduled during the conference. At least one author of each accepted film must be present during their session at ACR to address questions and participate in discussion.
Film Festival related questions should be directed to the Film Festival Co-Chairs: Finola Kerrigan (f.kerrigan@bham.ac.uk) or Eric Li (eric.li@ubc.ca). Please include “ACR FILM FESTIVAL” in the subject line.