Experts
Eirini Sifaki
Research Fellow, REBOOT project; Associate Professor of Cultural Theory and Criticism and Director, Laboratory of Intercultural and Cultural Relations, Department of Linguistic & Intercultural Studies, University of Thessaly
On February 26, 2025, the Cultural Relations and Comparative Arts Lab (CulCo Lab) at the University of Thessaly, in collaboration with the Reboot Project, successfully hosted the workshop “Cinema and Interculturality: Languages, Identities, Stories”. The event engaged 70 secondary school students (ages 12-18) in an interactive exploration of how cinema serves as a lens for cultural identity, migration, and intercultural relationships.
Workshop Highlights
- Exploring Cinema’s Role in Cultural Understanding
Participants analyzed carefully selected film excerpts from European and world cinema, including Arab, Asian, and Latin American films, reflecting on themes such as:
✔ Migration & Multiculturalism
✔ Cultural Conflicts & Identity Representation
✔ The Role of Language & Translation in Film Perception - Interactive Discussions & Scene Analysis
Through engaging discussions, students explored how cinema acts as both a “window” into different cultures and a tool for intercultural dialogue. Special emphasis was placed on the role of subtitling, dubbing, and linguistic choices in shaping audience perception across different cultural contexts.
Expert Contributions
The workshop was led by:
Eirini Sifaki, Assoc. Prof. Univ. of Thessaly, Researcher at ELIAMEP
Dimitra Thliverou, PhD Candidate, Researcher at ELIAMEP
Stella-Maria Davia, PhD Candidate, Researcher at ELIAMEP
Key Takeaways
- Cinema as a Cultural Bridge – Films can challenge stereotypes and promote intercultural awareness.
- The Power of Language – Translation choices influence how different audiences connect with a film.
- Student Engagement – Participants expressed enthusiasm for further exploring intercultural themes in cinema.
What’s Next?
This workshop is part of the broader Reboot Project, which continues to promote media literacy, engage new audiences with European films, and foster intercultural dialogue through cinema! Stay tuned for more workshops, screenings, and research initiatives!
Learn more about Reboot here.
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