[Commlist] CFP & Videoessays: Besides the Screen Ningbo 2026

*CFP: Besides the Screen Ningbo 2026: Audiences, Subjects & Agents*
University of Nottingham Ningbo China, June 4-6, 2026

- Deadline for submissions Mar 1, 2026
- Apply at https://forms.office.com/r/LCusR2E5ZU 
<https://forms.office.com/r/LCusR2E5ZU>

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 of 
the 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 likely place a 
bet. Audience reactions have become a popular genre in itself and just 
look at all the chaos fans make at movie theatre sing-alongs. Can these 
be spaces of resistance and emancipation? 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, link (with password if required), 3-5 
keywords, synopsis or artist statement (300 words max), and a short 
author affiliation/bio (200 words max)

Submission deadline: *March 1, 2026*. We will accept submissions up to 
midnight in the proponent’s time zone. Selected participants will be 
notified in Mid-March.

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.

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