This research project analyses practices of nation-building in Flemish feature films, with a special focus upon the role played by film policy since 1964. The research proposal is consistent with international research and literature on the role of media in the construction of ‘nations’, and is innovative in this field by integrating film policy. The relation between film, government (bodies) and nation-building will be explored through a multi-methodological research: (i) analyses of policy documents, (ii) expert interviews, (iii) analysis of subsidy decisions, and (iv) film analyses.

Today’s youth still articulates strong normative expectations concerning gender and sexuality. They mostly reflect the dominant cultural heteronormative order. Computer mediated communication through social networking sites comes with far more advanced possibilities to represent the self. The new opportunity for self representation creates an online stage to express ones gender and sexual identity. The aim of this research project is to obtain a better insight in these online self representations: which tools are used by youngsters to represent themselves online, are these online self representations heteronormative, and how does this affect young people’s identity development? Drawing on queer theory and the concept of subversion, this project will focus on creative expressions who could possibly reinforce thinking beyond the binary cultural system. This might stimulate gender equality and reduce homophobia in our contemporary society. This study will answer these questions by using both quantitative and qualitative research techniques: a quantitative audience study at the usage of computer mediated communication; a qualitative textual analysis of the content of computer mediated communication; a qualitative reception and audience study using focus groups, in-depth interviews and visual methods.

This research project focuses on the film cultures of four ethnic groups in diaspora in Antwerp: the Indian, Turkish, North-African and Jewish communities. These four cases are each analysed in two phases: structural analysis (distribution and exploitation) and audience research . Subsequently they will be examined from a comparative perspective. The extent to which these film cultures shape cultural identities, will receive special attention.

This project comprises four case studies. Each case study, that is each diasporic group, will be analysed separately in two phases. The first phase concerns structural analysis, describing distribution and exploitation of the relevant films. During this phase attention will be paid to the cinema sphere, rental movies, television and the Internet. In the second phase audience research regarding media use of ethnic audiences and film cultures emphasis on cultural representations, will be conducted through ethnographic analyses. Finally the results of the different cases will be compared and synthesised in a study on the differences and parallels between the examined diasporic film cultures, in relation to the global context.