'Cultural Encounters' is a new animated short film about the emotional and psychological nourishment and protection provided by our experiences with the arts and culture. What happens to us when we listen to a song, watch a film, visit an art exhibition or read a piece of literature? While we might be aware of the short-term impact of a cultural object – how it makes us think or feel in the moment – we are usually unaware of how the ephemeral aspect of this experience stays with us and becomes part of us; the unconscious aspect of the experience in other words. 'Cultural Encounters' invites us to reflect on what our encounters with, attachments to and psychological uses of cultural objects might tell us about ourselves.

Our encounters with cultural objects help us to connect with ourselves and feel a sense of belonging to our communities. Cultural experiences assist us to develop and refine our capacity for self-awareness and self-reflectivity. Both are vital for reality testing, empathic attunement, creativity, curiosity and critical thinking, which enable individuals to trust in oneself and other people. Research has shown that here and now experiences in creative activities improves mental health outcomes, lessens feelings of social isolation and loneliness, and contributes to a general improvement in mood. It is no coincidence that feelings of distrust and paranoia towards the social contract are intensifying alongside a decline in interest in the arts and humanities and a decrease in government spending and universities’ commitment to these subjects.

This is a private screening available to delegates attending in person only.

Writer, director, producer, voiceover: Noreen Giffney

Illustrator, animator, director: Allen Fatimaharan

Music composer, sound designer: Lauren Doss

Editor, producer: Nicole Murray

Funding received from Ulster University

No generative AI has been used in making this film

https://filmfreeway.com/culturalencounters