As global crises deepen and a sense of living in dark times increasingly emerges, many recognize a growing sense of despair. Is there still reason for hope? What can we still hope for? Why should we still hope? For ages, people turned to religion to find hope, to make sense of the world and to understand their present situation within a broader vision of the future. Central to the conference From Darkness to Light: Hope in Contemporary Cinema is the notion that film is akin to religion in the way it contributes to the experience and understanding of hope. Similarly to religion, film has mythological potential, it temporarily creates worlds of belief that offer new and deepening perspectives on the here and now, and it can invoke utopian or dystopian visions of the future. In these ways, film addresses the hopes and despairs of humankind. The aim of this conference is to deepen our understanding of hope and to embrace the potential of film in enabling viewers to engage with the world in a hopeful and meaningful way.
While the usual conference components of watching films and enjoying lectures are part of the program, the conference also includes interactive and experiential workshops in which we explore how hope is created in film and how cinematographic and narrative elements contribute to this. Critical theological reflection on the concept of hope is also sought. Moreover, we stimulate conversations between people from different regions of the world, who all bring their own experiences and perceptions of hope and despair, to deepen our understanding of ourselves and ours and others’ personal narratives of hope.
When, where & what
The conference will take place from 8 to 12 October 2025, at various locations in Amsterdam, opening with a film dinner on Wednesday evening, 8 October. The main program will take place on 9 and 10 October, mainly located at VU Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands. On 11 October, the General Assembly of INTERFILM will take place. The conference concludes with a cinematographic church service on Sunday, 12 October.
Save the date!
Please save the date: 8 to 12 October 2025. For more information, please contact Aafje van den Boogert (a.w.vanden.boogert@vu.nl).
Places to stay
Accommodation books fast in Amsterdam, therefore we advise you to book on time. Here is a selection of good and affordable hotels close to VU Amsterdam:
Novotel Amsterdam City
Holiday Inn Amsterdam South
Crown Plaza Amsterdam – South
CitizenM Hotel
MotelOne Amsterdam
Qbic Hotel WTC
Hotel Twenty Eight
Element Amsterdam
It is also possible to book a hotel near VU Amsterdam or in other neighborhoods in Amsterdam (De Pijp, Oud Zuid, and around Vondelpark). Amsterdam is a compact city; distances are relatively short and there are good public transport connections between the old town and VU Amsterdam.
