A new SCMS year is around the corner. Renew now so you don’t miss key deadlines and community updates as things ramp up. Join or renew! buff.ly/5TpkSWT

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Wed. May 13, 2026! Curious about volunteering for SCMS Standing, Award, or Program committees? Now’s the time–volunteers help lead our programs + member groups, recognize achievements, and seek the best new scholarship for the 2027 conference. Volunteer here: buff.ly/kbvc1we

Today’s the last day to volunteer to serve on a committee, don’t miss out! Click the link to learn more and sign up: buff.ly/kbvc1we

SCMS highlights the work of Arzu Karaduman for the publication of her chapter, “Asonority: Derrida in Film Sound Theory,” in "Derrida and Film Studies", edited by Kamil Lipiński and Andrzej Marzec.

SCMS highlights the achievement of Anna Batori for the publication of her book Posthumanism, Cognition and Cyborg Spectatorship: Amalgamated Cinema, published by Routledge.

Your SCMS membership expires soon—don’t miss what’s ahead. From 2027 conference and award submissions, virtual events, to JCMS and community updates, a lot happens over the summer. Renew now to stay in the loop: buff.ly/m1XGNEZ

SCMS highlights Patricia White for her discussion of feminist approaches to postwar domestic melodrama—focusing on ten classic films—on the CinemaScope podcast, hosted by Andy Nelson. buff.ly/lJlW95J

Reminder: Friday, May 8, 2026, is the last day to volunteer for service. You can serve on a Standing or Award committee, or the 2027 Program committee. SCMS relies on its members to function at its best, so please get involved! buff.ly/2D8owBA

If you need documentation confirming your participation in the 2026 SCMS conference, please complete the request form below, and the SCMS office will provide a letter. Request here: buff.ly/UkiDENr

Don't forget, SCMS members can submit achievements, publications, or awards for us to highlight on social media. Use this form: buff.ly/OyfzqDu

Congrats to members Catherine Benamou (@ucirvine.bsky.social) and Claire Cooley (Emerson College) on their 2026 ACLS Fellowships for "Latinx Media and the Pursuit of Social Justice: A Transmedial Approach" and "Not Afraid of My Sponsor: Sounding Global Cinema and Migrant Labor in the UAE".

SCMS congratulates members Noah Isenberg (@utaustin.bsky.social), Mitch McCabe, Sean Metzger (@uclaupdates.bsky.social), Julie Turnock (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), and Hannah Zeavin (@ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social) on their 2026 Guggenheim Fellowships.

We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize and remember Megan G. Mullen, a scholar of media studies and former member of the SCMS community, who passed away in February 2025 in Rochester, New York. More about Megan is available here: buff.ly/V2cmuPk

SCMS needs you! The Volunteer for Service form is open now until Friday, May 8, 2026. Follow the link to find out more about these opportunities–join a Standing or Award committee, or be part of the Program committee and read submissions for the #SCMS27 conference in Montreal! buff.ly/8X2LhnW

Closing the doors on #SCMS26… already counting down to what’s next. Wednesday, March 17 – Saturday, March 20, 2027 Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Please note: #SCMS27 will begin on a Wednesday

Thank you to everyone who helped make #SCMS26 a success! Special thanks to the SCMS volunteers, program committee, awards committees, donors, exhibitors, advertisers, institutional members, and hotel staff!

It's the final day of the SCMS conference 📽️ Berghahn Journals is proud to publish research in the field of film studies every year, including in Projections, Screen Bodies, and JBSM. Learn more about all three, now part of the new Berghahn Open Society S2O program: bit.ly/4rXAonk

Last day of the @scmstudies.bsky.social annual meeting! Visit our virtual exhibit and take 50% off all film & media studies books with code SCMS at checkout! www.press.uillinois.edu/wordpress/sc...

And cut! 📽️ That's a wrap on #SCMS26! Thanks to the attendees, co-exhibitors, and @scmstudies.bsky.social for an especially jam packed and fun conference. Our #SCMS2026 website will stay up for a few weeks so you can still save 40% on the books we had on display: www.ucpress.edu/book-lists/s...

So far, reports from O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport indicate security lines are under 15 minutes. #SCMS26

The Exhibit Area closes at 12pm. Don't forget to stop by! #SCMS26

Any belongings accidentally left in conference areas will be brought to SCMS Registration. After the conference ends, any unclaimed items will be turned over to hotel security. #SCMS26

Day 4 of #SCMS26, enjoy the last moments!

Support Sarah’s Circle and women in need across Chicago—drop off your unopened toiletries in the bins near Conference Registration. #SCMS26

Can you believe it's day 3 of #SCMS26 already? Get ready for another round of engaging sessions, lively conversations, and great networking opportunities.

Don't Forget About the Kids' Table in the SCMS Lounge! Plenty to entertain the little ones who tagged along for #SCMS26

The #SCMS26 exhibit area is officially open! Browse the newest books in cinema and media studies and meet with publishers. Stop by before it closes on Sunday at 12:00 PM.

Join us for the SCMS Awards Ceremony this evening from 7:15-8:15 in the Fairmont–International Ballroom (2nd Floor). Come celebrate the scholars whose work is shaping cinema & media studies. #SCMS26 buff.ly/zcXCDG7

Day 2 of #SCMS26! Have fun!

The National Weather Service is forecasting possible strong thunderstorms this afternoon into early evening, including heavy winds and hail. If you’re heading offsite, plan accordingly and allow extra time to return. We’ll share updates if needed.

Graduate Students! Come connect and unwind. Today, March 26 | 8:00–9:00 PM Fairmont Chicago, International Ballroom Prefunction (2nd Floor) We’d love to see you there. #SCMS26

Stay WiFi-kind at #SCMS26! Skip streaming, big downloads, video calls, and gaming. Stick to email and browsing so everyone stays connected.

#SCMS26 is here! Day 1 has kicked off. Welcome, everyone!

Headed to the Author Celebration & Welcome Reception tonight? Grab your conference badge first—it’s your pass to complimentary drinks at the bar! Badge pick-up opens at 7:30 PM, and the festivities begin at 8 PM. See you there! #SCMS26

When you arrive in Chicago, join us in celebrating authors who have published new work since the last conference. Come connect, unwind, and kick off the conference with us. Tonight, 8:00–9:00 PM #SCMS26

Tell the #SCMS26 community about your work! Join Aca-Media After Dark for a quick recorded chat. Fairmont Chicago, Cuvee • Wed March 25, 9:00–10:00 PM

Complimentary professional headshots for SCMS26 attendees! Advance sign-up required—slots available Friday & Saturday Swissôtel Chicago, Verbier Room Sign up here: buff.ly/8qLkVra

Travel update for #SCMS26⁠: some U.S. airports may have longer or less predictable TSA wait times. Conditions vary, so please check with your airline and allow extra time. Check your email for details. Wishing everyone safe travels—we look forward to seeing you in Chicago.

At #SCMS26⁠, Bathabile K. S. Mthombeni will serve as Ombudsperson—an independent, confidential, and neutral resource for attendees with questions or concerns. Learn more and watch her video below. Plus, check your inbox for further details and a link to the Code of Conduct.

Don’t miss out on Conversations with the Archives, an SCMS resource from the Media Archives Committee! Two interviews now available to watch on the SCMS website: HMH Foundation Moving Image Archive at USC and Margaret Herrick Library + Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study. buff.ly/P4WX5vu

Complimentary professional headshots at #SCMS26, yours to use freely, no watermark. Skip the swag—bring your favorite (or most unusual) tote and give it another outing. 😊 Sign-ups + details coming soon! Watch your email and SCMS socials.

Headed to #SCMS26? Don’t forget to swing by the registration desk to grab your badge + conference materials! Hours: Wed, March 25: 7:30–9:00 PM Thu, March 26: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM Fri, March 27: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Sat, March 28: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Sun, March 29: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM

Don’t miss the affiliate events happening during #SCMS26! Explore the full list of events and descriptions here: buff.ly/5tXO62d

SCMS congratulates Rachel Gabara on the publication of her new book, Documentary Objectives: Filming Africa from Colonialism to Independence (Indiana University Press). For more information, visit buff.ly/9EagjRE.

Chairing a panel at #SCMS26? Check your inbox for guidance on contacting panelists and preparing for the role. Presenting? Review the “Removing Barriers” guidelines in the conference program to help ensure smooth, accessible presentations. buff.ly/JyU9Lso

Conversations with the Archives is back with a new edition, available to watch now! Join Dr. Elizabeth Lundén as she interviews Dino Everett of the HMH Foundation Moving Image Archive at University of Southern California about the archive’s media and technology holdings. More here: buff.ly/Ei2UbU3.

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Dennis Hanlon, a dedicated scholar and educator whose work made a significant contribution to the study of transnational political cinema. Hanlon passed away on March 4, 2026. Read more here: buff.ly/EBRE9xP

SCMS member Kristen Warner was featured in The Guardian yesterday, discussing why portrayals of Black women as villains or morally ambiguous characters continue to spark debate about representation. Worth a read.

SCMS highlights the achievement of Bill Nichols for the publication of the 2nd edition of his book, Engaging Cinema, from Norton, which can replace or supplement standard film introduction texts. Engaging Cinema devotes chapters to ideology, ethnicity and race, masculinism, feminism and queer cinema

The SCMS website is currently experiencing a temporary outage. Our office is aware of the issue and is working to restore it as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can access a temporary version here: buff.ly/eYrNQJ7 Thank you for your patience!