An international film conference starts today, bringing together internationally renowned experts and practitioners from the world of European film.

“Europes and Contrary Tides: Filmmaking in the New Europe” consists of a series of presentations by international filmmakers and scholars. The event, which is free and open to the public, is intended to offer a forum to discuss the creative and political aspects of film, according to Crister Garrett, Associate Director of the Center for European Studies.

“It’s not just about developments within societies; it’s about how societies can understand each other and how films can help that process,” Garrett said.

He said European films often include social commentary American films lack.

“European films have more public funding, so film directors are able to be more provocative and make more controversial statements about society,” Garrett said.

He said the conference would be especially interesting in the wake of the events of Sept. 11.

“The variety of film that comes out of Europe deals with issues of ethnicity, gender and class that are global in their importance,” Garrett said. “By studying European film, we can get a good example of how societies can become more inclusive.”

Presentations at the conference include focuses on the cinema of migrant communities, new regional trends within European cinemas and distribution of European films in a Hollywood-dominated market.

The conference is in conjunction with the Wisconsin Film Festival, taking place April 4-7.