The 9th Baltic Sea Region Film History Conference: Exploring the Past and Future of Audiovisual Media

The 9th Baltic Sea Region Film History Conference successfully took place from June 6th to June 8th, 2024, at the K.Suns Cinema in Riga, Latvia. Organized by the Latvian Academy of Culture in collaboration with the Baltic Audiovisual Archival Council (BAAC), the Riga Film Museum, and other regional partners, the event brought together scholars, archivists, and professionals to explore the theme "Exploring the Past and Future of Audiovisual Media in the Baltic Sea Region: Archives, Digital Platforms, Researchers, and Audiences."

Over the course of three days, the conference featured thought-provoking keynote speeches by renowned experts such as Eva Näripea and Jaimie Baron, as well as engaging sessions on topics like audiovisual collections, digitalization, audience engagement, and archival practices. The program highlighted the transformative role of digital technologies in making both historical and contemporary films increasingly accessible worldwide. This shift has significantly influenced the activities of memory institutions dedicated to film heritage, enabling them to evolve from relatively closed repositories into open digital platforms serving researchers, filmmakers, and the wider public.

The conference welcomed over 50 participants, including scholars and archivists from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the United States, Belgium, and Canada. The diversity of perspectives and case studies fostered dynamic exchanges of ideas, highlighting the regional and global importance of audiovisual heritage preservation.

The event underscored the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of digital tools in connecting historical content with modern audiences. Thank you to all participants, speakers, and organizers for their invaluable contributions, which made this conference a resounding success. We look forward to future gatherings to continue these important discussions.