"Film as art" was heavily discussed in academic circles during which period?

The 1960s and 1970s marked a pivotal period for the discussion of film as an art form in academic circles, driven by several significant cultural and technological shifts. During this era, filmmakers began to experiment more freely with narrative structures, themes, and visual techniques, which facilitated a deeper exploration of film's artistic potential.

This period saw the rise of influential movements such as the French New Wave and the American New Hollywood, where directors were not just considered entertainers but also artists with unique visions. Critics and scholars increasingly recognized films as worthy subjects for serious analysis, paralleling developments in other artistic disciplines like literature and painting.

Academic discussions during these decades often revolved around auteur theory, where filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and others were studied as creators with distinct styles and voices. This helped elevate the status of film within the academic realm and popular culture, emphasizing its emotional, philosophical, and aesthetic dimensions. The establishment of journals, film studies programs, and critical texts in this time further solidified the conception of film as a serious art form, responsive to societal changes and artistic innovation.