Institute for Advanced Study at Central European University
Hungary
fellow
Shirley Abraham
2026-2027
Home institution
Independent artist
Country of origin (home institution)
India
Discipline(s)
Philosophy; Political Sciences
Theme(s)
Democracy, Citizenship, Governance; Post-colonialism
Fellowship dates
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Biography
Shirley Abraham is a Cannes prize-winning Indian documentary filmmaker. Her work is supported by Sundance Institute, MacArthur Foundation, The New York Times, The Guardian, Field of Vision, IDFA Bertha Fund, Catapult Film Fund, and the BBC. She has been a fellow of Sundance Labs, Cluster of Excellence Heidelberg, and Goethe-Institut. Abraham is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Research Project
Savaging the Norms
“The air is a hunting machine,” writes Arundhati Roy. A diagnosis, and a prophecy for many democracies in the world. With the independent voice silenced all around, how can one imagine fugitive spaces for speaking? For thinking, feeling and creating? What is the language of work that may not be allowed to be made? My work examines freedom of speech and expression as the beating heart of the independent voice, and a political and philosophical question. Rooted in decolonial understanding, I am keen to explore questions of form beyond aesthetics. During my time at IAS CEU, I will continue to explore pathways into counter infrastructures and insurgent spaces of collective thinking. I will also explore new formations for my writing and audio work, and how one can give velocity to imperilled voices, while developing them as an embodied performance.
Research Interests:
freedom of speech; documentary film