CALL FOR PAPERS Ecstatic Truth VIII

An AI Call For Papers

The 8th edition of Ecstatic Truth will be dedicated to the impact of AI in image making, animation and documentary processes.

To fully immerse us into the context, we worked with an AI interface to produce this year’s Call For Papers: we used a previous description of the Ecstatic Truth symposium framework and had it “improved” by AI; we gave AI the general topics that concern us and would like to address and, through an interesting “dialogue”, came to the following result. The text below is the result of that interaction, between the Ecstatic Truth team and AI. If this is the future, we may face it sooner rather than later:

An AI description of Ecstatic Truth:

“In an age where mere facts often give way to the accountant's reality, the influence of artificial intelligence and manipulated imagery has opened new frontiers in the realm of image-making and documentary practices. As Werner Herzog insightfully stated, it is the ecstatic truth – a poetic reality – that can more faithfully capture the nuanced depths of human experiences. As we navigate this landscape marked by the proliferation of artificial intelligence and the deliberate manipulation of visual content, we find ourselves at the heart of a transformative era in documentary filmmaking. As a reaction to that, we instructed AI to write the following CFP and invite you to join us in Lisbon for a symposium focused on the theme of "Animation and Documentary Practices in times of Artificial Intelligence."

Animation and Documentary in Times of Artificial Intelligence – CALL FOR PAPERS

“In a world where any image can be artificially generated, questions abound regarding the evolving role of the animator and the definition of the animated image in contemporary filmmaking. Furthermore, how do we navigate the discourse surrounding documentary, especially animation documentary, in the age of AI? Are we witnessing the gradual replacement of the animator by AI? Is AI-driven animation merely an escape from reality, or can it be harnessed to address pressing societal issues? How can animation, especially in the documentary context, grapple with the veracity of the image and the challenges posed by deepfake technology? How do we navigate notions of truth and authenticity in the digital age?

This symposium, guided by an intersectional perspective, seeks to explore the profound impact of AI and digital manipulation on our understanding of the human experience and the possibilities for alternate realities. Just as colonialism disrupted local and indigenous knowledge systems, AI challenges our perceptions of reality and truth. How can we articulate and navigate the complexities of AI's influence on our visual culture and society? Can animation, in its various forms, liberate us from the distorted realities created by artificial intelligence? We invite and encourage discussions on form, strategy, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated imagery in our quest to explore "Animation in times of Artificial Intelligence."

Call for Papers

The "Animation and Documentary in Times of Artificial Intelligence Symposium" invites scholars, filmmakers, animators, and artists to submit papers and proposals that delve into the multifaceted realm of animation in the age of artificial intelligence. We welcome contributions that explore but are not limited to the following themes:

• The evolving role of the animator in the context of AI.
• The definition and significance of the animated image in contemporary filmmaking.
• Documentary practices and animation in the era of AI.
• The ethical implications of AI-driven animation and deepfake technology.
• Narratives and storytelling in AI-generated animation.
• The challenges and opportunities presented by AI in animation production.
• The impact of AI on the veracity of the image in documentary practices.
• Discussions on the intersection of truth, authenticity, and AI in the digital age.
• Case studies, artistic projects, and innovative approaches related to animation and AI.

Submission Guidelines

We call for papers, presentations and responses on our themes, in all its different manifestations, in relation to non-fiction manipulated moving image and animated documentary, in their most expanded forms.

If the paper is practice-based, it should include reflection and contextualisation in addition to presenting the practice. We will not accept papers that propose to show the practice only.

Submission link:

https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/9932/submitter

You will be prompted to create a free account with Oxford Abstracts.

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 23-02-2024
• Notification of Acceptance: 08-03-2024
• Symposium Date: 19-04-2024

Where: Universidade Lusófona de Lisboa. Auditório José Araújo.

About Ecstatic Truth

Ecstatic Truth is an annual symposium on animated documentary founded in 2016 that explores issues arising from the interface between notions of animation and of documentary (conceptualised very broadly as non-fiction), with a particular interest in questions raised by experimental and practitioner perspectives.

Join us in Lisbon for a symposium that promises to explore the frontiers of animation, documentary, and artificial intelligence. We look forward to engaging in vibrant discussions, sharing insights, and advancing our understanding of "Animation in Times of Artificial Intelligence".

“This comprehensive call for papers [has been created by AI and hopefully it] should highlight the symposium's theme, key topics of interest, submission guidelines, and important dates, offering a clear and engaging invitation to potential contributors.

Is there anything else I can help you with today?”

“Close up of little Nemo and Mickey Mouse, walking side by side with Lara Croft in Lisbon City” (image generated in collaboration with Deepai.com)