About this Research Topic

Background

In an era where global audiences increasingly enjoy seamless access to films and video content through streaming platforms, the boundaries of national cinema have become more porous. As films circulate across borders with unprecedented ease, the idea of transnational cinema has gained critical relevance, providing a lens to understand how cinematic narratives transcend geographical, linguistic and cultural divides. This digital shift has not only broadened access to diverse films but has also intensified discussions around the fluidity of culture, the appeal of globalized storytelling, and the complexities of representation in a multicultural world. The ease of access and heightened cultural flows challenge traditional national frameworks and introduce new dimensions of cinematic engagement, wherein viewers negotiate a mix of familiar and foreign cultural symbols.

The study of transnational cinema has long been intertwined with broader cultural flows, border crossings, and identity negotiations. In recent years, the definition of 'transnational cinema' has evolved, pushing beyond earlier notions that primarily emphasized the cross-border production and consumption of films. Earlier studies have demonstrated that the allure of cultural differentiation and the ‘exotic’ plays a significant role in reinforcing the notion of a ‘globalized world,’ where distinct cultural identities can be commodified for a global audience. However, recent scholarship suggests that transnational cinema does more than offer cultural otherness; it often reflects hybrid identities, reshapes traditional cultural narratives, and interrogates the power relations inherent in global media exchanges. As the globalized film industry continues to evolve, a deeper exploration of the cultural, political, and social implications of transnational cinema is necessary.

This Research Topic aims to fill that gap by focusing on the evolving definitions of transnational cinema, while also exploring the role of cinema in mediating cultural exchange, identity formation, and cross-border narratives. The Topic will bring together scholars from both film studies and cultural studies, recognizing the deep interplay between cinematic practices and the cultural contexts from which they emerge and into which they are received. Submissions will address both theoretical advancements and empirical case studies, offering fresh regional perspectives and rethinking the ways transnational cinema shapes, reflects, and transforms cultural identities and norms.

Possible topics for submission may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• cultural intersections in transnational cinema
• regional perspectives and cultural narratives in transnational cinema
• identity, power, and representation in transnational films
• digital platforms, cultural exchange, and transnational cinema
• film festivals as cultural and transnational spaces
• the role of streaming media platforms in shaping transnational cinema
• co-productions as drivers of transnational cinematic exchange.

We aim to attract contributions from both established academics and emerging scholars, particularly those whose research intersects film and cultural studies. Industry professionals with insights on transnational collaborations and cultural exchange in cinema are also encouraged to submit.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Transnational cinema, global film industry, hybrid narratives, film distribution, cultural exchange, cross-cultural collaboration

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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