Organized by the Department of Hispanic Studies at Brown University, this international academic conference is rooted in the exceptional corpus of Spanish and Latin American non-realist literary and cinematic fiction, with a special focus on contemporary voices. These narratives, infused with elements of surrealism, speculative fiction, and other imaginative dimensions, weave unsettling tales, portray extreme characters, and depict dystopian, apocalyptic, disquieting, and thought-provoking settings. Although they may seem to stray from traditional realism, they actually probe deeper into social horrors, repression, human rights violations, and systemic inequalities related to gender, class, race, and generation in ways that are irrational yet disturbingly accurate. By reflecting the darkest aspects of our reality, these stories have the unique power to “turn up the volume on our real world,” as Argentine writer Mariana Enriquez, a leading figure in contemporary horror and neo-Gothic literature, has noted. Through their enigmatic exploration, these works offer readers unforgettable cathartic experiences, addressing themes such as dictatorship, climate change, femicide, and other pressing forms of social injustice.

We aim to create an inclusive and participatory literary event that engages both English- and Spanish-speaking readers and participants. To this end, our conference will be fully bilingual (English and Spanish), featuring scholars and writers who work in both languages. Their contributions, including comparative analyses of literary works and cinematic productions, will enhance the diversity of perspectives and insights shared throughout the event. This approach will foster rich dialogue and cross-pollination across disciplines, countries, and languages, creating a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere.