Inaugural International Short Drama Academic Symposium Successfully Concludes at UC Irvine

Inaugural International Short Drama Academic Symposium Successfully Concludes at UC Irvine

The first International Short Drama Academic Symposium, jointly hosted by the American International Short Drama Association, the International Cultural Exchange Association, and the University of California, Irvine (UCI), was successfully held at the conclusion of the spring semester in 2024. As a bridge for global cultural exchange and a catalyst for innovative arts, the symposium aimed to explore the impact and potential of short dramas as an emerging media form within the global cultural landscape, while also setting the stage for the upcoming International Short Drama Festival to be held at UCI later this year.

Professor Katherina Liu from the Department of Film and Media Studies, School of Humanities at UCI, delivers the opening speech for the forum.

The Mayor of Irvine has expressed strong support for the upcoming International Short Drama Festival at UC Irvine (UCI), recognizing the event as a significant opportunity to further international cultural and artistic exchange and cooperation. This event not only marks new achievements for UCI in the realms of film and streaming media education but also highlights its global leadership in the academic research and practical application of cinema and streaming media. As the first public university in the United States to incorporate short drama into its academic curriculum and award academic credit for it, UCI demonstrates its commitment to driving innovation and development in film arts and streaming media.

Dr. Charles Cheng, a legal expert from the International Cultural Exchange Association, shares trends and regulations in the short drama market.

The symposium was inaugurated by Professor Catherine Liu from UCI’s School of Humanities, Department of Film and Media Studies, who is also the chair of the Academic Committee of the International Cultural Exchange Association and a co-initiator of both the symposium and the festival. Professor Liu extensively discussed the challenges that short dramas pose to traditional narrative structures, emphasizing their unique position in the development of new media platforms and smartphones. “Short drama represents a new phase in content and entertainment production,” noted Professor Liu, highlighting that despite criticisms of being “cheesy” and overly dramatic, short dramas closely align with mainstream Hollywood genres such as romance, tragedy, and romantic comedy. Her remarks set a high academic standard for the symposium.

Professor Katherina Liu from the Department of Film and Media Studies, School of Humanities at UCI, delivers the opening speech for the forum.

Hosted online from UC Irvine, the symposium welcomed short drama researchers and film and media professionals from New York, Beijing, and Shanghai, presided over by Dr. Amber Chen.

Dr. Charles Cheng, a legal expert from the International Cultural Exchange Association, analyzed trends and regulations in the short drama market, revealing its commercial potential and legal landscape.

Dr. Charles Cheng, a legal expert from the International Cultural Exchange Association, shares trends and regulations in the short drama market.

Following this, UCI film students showcased their profound understanding and innovative perspectives on short drama. The students delivered engaging presentations on various aspects of short drama:

-Yunmeng Cai analyzed the psychology and reactions of short drama audiences in her presentation “Decoding the Audience of Short Drama Reels,” exploring how to more effectively connect emotionally with viewers.

-Alejandro Jesus Johnson discussed breaking conventions without neglecting the audience in “Short Drama: How to Subvert Conventions Without Neglecting Your Audience,” injecting new vitality into short drama.

-Katherine Yu provided deep insights into the short drama market trends in “Short Drama Genre Market Analysis,” helping the audience understand the current state and potential growth of the industry.

-Jiayi Zou examined the dynamic relationship between Chinese short drama screenwriters and viewers in “Narratives in Flux: Exploring the Interplay Between Chinese Short Drama Screenwriters and Viewers.”

-Annika Joshi focused on the relationship between creative intent and audience impact in “Intention Vs. Impact: An Analysis of Short Drama Audiences,” discussing how creators’ intentions affect audience reception.

-Britney Liang explored the evolution of genre and form in short drama in her presentation “Short Drama: Evolution of Genre and Form.”

These discussions not only showcased the professional commitment and creative thinking of UCI students but also illustrated how they use their educational and practical experiences to explore societal issues and human emotions. The in-depth discussions promoted cultural and artistic exchange globally, with contributions from Beijing-based short drama producer Mr. Zhang Ye, who shared practical insights and strategies from Chinese short drama production.

The closing remarks were delivered by Mr. Wang Hui, Vice President of the Chinese Television Drama Production Industry Association, who provided insights into Chinese short drama policies and market prospects, including an analysis of the U.S. market.

Liu Xiaolin, President of the International Cultural Exchange Association, affirmed the symposium’s effectiveness, noting, “This symposium played an irreplaceable role in promoting global cultural dialogue and demonstrating the transformative power of short dramas.”

Similarly, Dang He, a renowned figure in the advertising and media industry, and President of the American International Short Drama Association, praised the symposium for “greatly facilitating the exchange of creative ideas globally and fostering innovation within the short drama production field, showcasing the formidable potential of short dramas as an emerging art form.”

This symposium served not only as a platform for academic exchange but also as a grand event for global cultural dialogue, displaying the leadership of UCI and the organizing associations in merging academic and practical aspects of film production and streaming media. Participants gained deeper insights into the art and market of short dramas.

For more information about the symposium or to participate, please contact the organizers at lting2961@gmail.com.

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