British Institute for Libyan & Northern African Studies

Bringing Libya’s Past to the Screen – Ancient Adventures: Libya
2026-03-27 18:30 - 21:00 UTC | The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH, London, United Kingdom
This exclusive event will bring Cyrenaica’s rich and varied archaeological landscapes to the screen, from monumental Classical cities to fragile and threatened coastal settlements. The film was produced through a major international collaboration between History Hit, MarEA (Maritime Endangered Archaeology, Ulster University), the World Monuments Fund, the University of Benghazi, and the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund.
Presented by historian Dan Snow and producer-director Bill Locke, the documentary offers a rare and compelling journey through Libya’s past. Viewers are taken to iconic sites such as Cyrene and Apollonia, where urban planning, architecture, and maritime infrastructure reveal Libya’s central role in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Alongside these celebrated centres, the film also foregrounds lesser-known sites that are essential for understanding everyday life, long-term coastal occupation, and human engagement with dynamic maritime environments. A particular focus is placed on Al Haniyah, a modest but archaeologically significant coastal settlement currently under severe threat from erosion and modern development. We are especially pleased to highlight that research at Al Haniyah is being undertaken in collaboration with a member of the BILNAS Council, and that BILNAS funding directly supported the archaeological work that enabled filming at the site.
This screening therefore reflects not only an engaging documentary project, but also BILNAS’s active role in supporting research, documentation, and the responsible public communication of Libya’s endangered heritage.
We are delighted that producer-director Bill Locke will be present at the screening and will share reflections on his experiences of filming in Libya, offering personal insights into its archaeological landscapes and his impressions of this remarkable country.
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REGISTER HERE via Eventbrite
The film is followed by drinks and Libyan food, so we ask members and the public to kindly make a small contribution; students can attend for free.

Call for Papers for the “Ottoman Mobilities and Interactions” Symposium, 13-14 April 2026 Istanbul, Türkiye
2026-04-13 09:00 - 2026-04-14 17:00
Call for Papers
BILNAS, as part of the British International Research Institutes (BIRI), and in partnership with Sabancı University, invite paper proposals for a symposium organised as part of the “Ottoman Mobilities and Interactions” project.
Join us for this collaborative symposium “Ottoman Mobilities and Interactions” from Monday 13 to Tuesday 14 April 2026, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
📆 Please note: the Deadline for submissions has been extended to FRIDAY 23 January 2026.
ℹ️ For more information please follow this link to the BIAA website
Ottoman era research may explore themes including:
Sacred Mobilities & Interactions
Material Culture in Motion
Labour & Expertise
Displacement & Coercion
Governance of Mobilities
Technologies of Movement
Spatial Politics
Knowledge & Culture in Transit
Urban & Rural Flows
Check details and download the Call for Papers here. Submission deadline is January 23, 2026.
