The GEECT 4th Leadership Symposium dives into multifaceted nature of leadership and conflict and deals with insights and approaches to navigating the complexities of leadership during times of conflict. From headline-grabbing global issues to subtle, internal tensions, the symposium seeks to uncover conflicts and their impacts on our institution. The aim is to ignite reflection, inspire dialogue, and foster collaboration across the community.

The symposium is free of charge and includes lunches and dinners. The participants are responsible for their travel and accommodation costs. 

To register, please send an e-mail to GEECT admin & comms coordinator Kirsi Rinne, kirsi.rinne@aalto.fi

Preliminary program

Thursday April, 24, 2025

13:30 – 15:00	Lunch at Der Blaue Engel restaurant on FABW campus
15:00 – 16:20	Room M1/31 (1st floor of “Matildenstrasse” building) Opening of the Symposium by Barry Dignam and Guido Lukoschek, GEECT chair and treasurer
	Keynote: Dr. Andreas Bareiss, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg: Navigating film schools through conflict & crisis. Some basic reflections on leadership in challenging times through the lens of mindfulness
	Jana Keeble, VSMU, Slovakia: From Visible to Subtle Pressure: Safeguarding Creativity and Freedom in Contemporary Film Education
	Thomas Brennan, SADA, Sweden:  Pulling Our Heads Out of the Sand: Educating for Today’s Connected World
	Panel with the speakers and Q & A. Host: Guido Lukoschek
16:20 – 16:40	Coffee Break
16:40 – 17:20	Sabine Boss, Chantal Haunreiter, Zhdk, Switzerland:   Navigating Leadership Through Dialogue: How We Apply Nonviolent Communication in Times of Conflict
	Dana Blankstein Cohen, JFSF, Israel: Fostering Resilience and Unity: Leadership at the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School During Times of Conflict
	Panel with the speakers and Q & A. Host: TBA
17:20 – 18:00	Guided Tour of FABW
18:00 – 19:00	Drinks at the Filmgalerie
20:00 –	Dinner, YGREC Restaurant, Mathildenstr. 12

Friday April 25, 2025

10:00 – 10:20	Recap of Day 1
10:20 – 11:00	Manuel Damasio, Lusofona Univ., Portugal:  What To Do When ThereI No Need To Educate Creators Anymore
	Hrafnkell Stefansson, Icelandic Film School:  The School in Constant Crisis    Panel with the speakers and Q & A. Host: TBA
11:00 – 11:20	Coffee break
11:20 – 12:00	Shauni de Gussem, RITSC & LUCA, Belgium:  Bridging the Inclusion Gap in Film Education: Practical Experiences and Strategic Interventions    Anna Huth, Kieślowski Film School, Poland:  Organizing National Level Film Initiatives in a Divided Academic Landscape   Panel with the speakers and Q & A. Host: Barry Dignam
12:00 – 12:30	Plenary, wrap-up, next steps
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch at Der Blaue Engel restaurant on FABW campus Farewell