ATHENS, Ohio -- The Department of African American Studies is presenting "Black Cinema Aesthetics: Issues in Contemporary Black Film," a commemorative symposium to be held May 2 and 3.

The symposium is intended to pay homage to another historic gathering at Ohio University. From April 10-11, 1980, the Department of African American Studies held the original "Black Cinema Aesthetics" seminar under the leadership of then-Director Vattel Rose. At the time, "Black Cinema Aesthetics" was distinguished as one of the first such gatherings on black cinema. Participants ranging from scholars to filmmakers to archivists shared their stories.

The 2003 edition of "Black Cinema Aesthetics" will at once honor and celebrate its predecessor, as well as its participants. This is accomplished through a series of dialogues intended to re-evaluate and introduce new developments and scholars via debate over contemporary black film.

Gladstone Yearwood will begin the symposium with a keynote address on Friday, May 2, from 5 to 6 p.m. in Baker Center. On May 3, four panels -- each free and open to the public -- will cover such topics as the current state of black film, black cinema aesthetics and black film scholarship, Africana media practices and black cinema aesthetics in practice.

Among the Black Cinema Aesthetics participants are Yearwood, Pearl Bowser, Barbara O, Michelle Wallace, Ed Guerrero, Mia Mask, Austin Allen, Nii Owoo, Esiaba Irobi, Maura Keefe, Akil Houston, Travis Gatling, Jeff Wray, Robert Banks and Michelle Davis.

Ohio University, in recognition of the significance of black cinema, has created a new faculty position. Keith Harris holds the position, shared by the School of Interdisciplinary Arts, School of Film and Department of African American Studies. Harris will also coordinate the symposium.