[Commlist] CFP: Besides the Screen: Audiences, Subjects & Agents

CFP: Besides the Screen: Audiences, Subjects & Agents

University of Nottingham Ningbo China, June 4-6, 2026

Deadline for submissions: March 1, 2026

https://besidesthescreen.com/ <https://besidesthescreen.com/>

In 2026, the Besides the Screen conference returns to the city of Ningbo 
to explore the ways audiences, subjects and agents are distributed and 
negotiated across borders – whether institutional, spatial, 
linguistic or technological.

This year’s conference begins from the premise that the concept 
ofthe passive media audience has always been a myth. Nowadays, it would 
be difficult to find a situation where viewers are not doing anything, 
even if it is just scrolling on their phones during a streaming 
marathon. Novel media forms are teeming with opportunities to 
participate, interact, share with our friends, and audience reactions 
have become a popular genre. The same technologies that empower amateur 
filmmakers and influencers make each user a potential promotional node 
to be mobilized. If most internet traffic is automated, does it even 
matter if the content is tailored for bots and search engine optimization?

We invite contributions that reflect upon the many audiences, subjects, 
and agents that make the media, culture, and creative industries and 
associated artforms.What has been the impact of technological 
advancements on audiences, and how are they in turn impacting the 
creative industries? What new subjects and agents have emerged from 
these developments, and how are they transforming audiovisual practices?

Related research areas include: 

  *

    Cultural and Creative Industries 

  *

    Film, TV, and Screen Studies

  *

    Game Studies

  *

    Digital Humanities and Emerging Technologies

  *

    New media, contemporary, and performance arts

The conference is open to both short papers and films/video essays (up 
to 20 minutes). Submissions should be made through the online form 
available at besidesthescreen.com <http://besidesthescreen.com/>.

 

Paper proposals require title, 3-5 keywords, abstract (300 words max), 
and a short author affiliation/bio (200 words max). Short film/video 
essays proposals require title, 3-5 keywords, abstract/synopsis (300 
words max), a short author affiliation/bio (200 words max), and a link 
(with password if required).

Submission deadline: March 1, 2026. We will accept submissions up to 
midnight in the proponent’s time zone.

Apply 
at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yMXEBIzbsUGIK1u3lIQF6FtqQM_OnKdDpQOLBlTWH7FUQ0pTVU1PWFdNWTZZOEVQWUlPNThQVDhVOC4u 


If you experience any issues with the submission form, please 
email (besidesthescreen /at/ gmail.com) 
<mailto:(besidesthescreen /at/ gmail.com)> with the email header NINGBO26 
–Submission issue. Please note: email submissions will not be accepted.

Besides the Screen Ningbo 2026 is organized by Dr. Corey Schultz (UNNC), 
Dr. Virginia Crisp (King’s College London), and Dr. Gabriel Menotti 
(Queen’s University). The conference is funded by the University of 
Nottingham Ningbo China’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Conference and 
Event Organising Support Scheme, and supported by the Social Sciences 
and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

---------------
The COMMLIST
---------------
This mailing list is a free service offered by Nico Carpentier. Please use it responsibly and wisely.
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit http://commlist.org/
--
Before sending a posting request, please always read the guidelines at http://commlist.org/
--
To contact the mailing list manager:
Email: (nico.carpentier /at/ commlist.org)
URL: http://nicocarpentier.net
---------------