The Amsterdam Centre for Visual Anthropology
CameraWise: The Amsterdam Hub for Visual Anthropology
What becomes of anthropology when it is practiced in and through film? And what becomes of film when it is put to work for anthropology?
CameraWise is a collective of researchers who critically explore what the aesthetic, sensorial and emotive affordances of film can bring to anthropology’s intellectual journeys of discovery.
We do not want to restrict the work of film to ethnographic documentation. Our goal is to explore how film can contribute to those exciting conversations that are called ‘theory building’. Indeed, we want to arrive at a mode of filmmaking that can shift perspectives, introduce new frames, and question what is taken for granted.
The recently inaugurated FMG Media Lab provides us with a physical space from where we can experiment with filmmaking, and organize debates, screenings, courses and seminars.
Although we are currently all anthropologists, CameraWise is open to all passionate researchers in the social sciences who want to explore the possibilities of camera based research.
Showcase of our student films
Bursary
Congratulations to MA student Eszter Kálmán, recipient of the 2026 bursary for her outstanding visual MA thesis. The award will help Eszter make her film, Bursting the Dam, festival-ready. Each year, we award €500 to a student in anthropology (visual track) to recognise exceptional work and support the post-production of their film.







