Symposium: The Future of Heritage
A Cork International Film Festival and University College Cork Presentation.
In 2025, as part of the Festival’s 70th celebrations, we began a symposium in association with University College Cork’s Department of Film and Screen Media focused on the moving image as both cultural treasure and fragile historical record. This era of misinformation and disinformation brings that very fragility into sharp relief. In an time of increasing uncertainty around the information we receive, how do reputable news gathering agencies respond?
Founded in 1851, Reuters is one of the world’s largest and most trusted international news agencies. Archive Manager at Reuters Connect, Helen Walker oversees the preservation and digitisation of the historic Reuters news and film archive. She will discuss the challenging environment of creating a trustworthy archive and will also outline the way in which the agency has broadened beyond being a source for factual use to become a resource for more creative and artistic use amongst the filmmaking community.
While agencies like Reuters operate on a global level, community television remains a vital resource. In light of the recent conversation around a united Ireland we explore the idea of an all-island community media, representation, and the importance of preserving community-made material.
After a light lunch, we conclude the day with a screening of student archive film works from UCC Department of Film and Screen Media and University of Ulster.
SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE
10:30 - Welcome address: Don O’Mahony, Ellen Scally, Ciara Chambers
10.45-12.45 - Remixing the Archive – Student Film Showcase of archival films from Ulster University, Queen's University Belfast and University College Cork.
Introduced by Lisa Duggan (Archive Education Officer, Northern Ireland Screen)
Followed by Q&A. Chaired by Ellen Scally (PhD Candidate, UCC Film & Screen Media)
12:45-14.00 - Lunch
14.00-14.30 - A screening of What Remains - Pat Collins,Tadhg O'Sullivan | Ireland | 2013 | 11 mins
Followed by Q&A with Pat Collins, moderated by Don O’Mahony
14.30-15.45 - Keynote Talk: Helen Walker (Archive Manager, Reuters Connect).
Chaired by Dr. Ciara Chambers
15.45-16:00 - Coffee break
16.00-17.00 - Roundtable: “The future of broadcasting on a shared island”.
With Emma Bowell (Cork Community Media Hub), Brian Greene (Dublin Community Television), Lisa Duggan (Northern Ireland Screen). Chaired by Dr. Ciara Chambers (Head of the School of Film, Music & Theatre, UCC)
Tickets: No set price - Pay What You Can. Every contribution helps keep events like this accessible to all.
In partnership with University College Cork.
