The SCMS Annual Conference helps create a vibrant, interactive, and crucial community for attendees in the fields of Cinema and Media Studies. One of the most important aspects of this conference is its community; sustaining and enhancing this community connection is paramount to the organization's board and staff.

2024 Conference Format and Basic Info

When and where will the conference be held?

The SCMS 2024 annual conference will be held Thursday, March 14 - Sunday, March 17 , 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts at the Sheraton Boston Hotel.

What will be included in the in-person conference?

• The Four-day In-Person Conference will consist of panels, workshops, roundtables, special events, the 2024 Awards Ceremony, as well as receptions, social events and the Exhibit Area.

Do I have to pay or register to attend the conference?

Conference registration is required for all attendees of the Boston conference.

May I participate in the conference without being a member?

Anyone who wishes to participate as a presenter, chair, or respondent in the Boston conference must be a current member. Therefore, be sure to renew your membership.

Why did SCMS decide to start holding the Virtual Symposium and in-person conference?

Separating the business meetings from the in-person conference allows SCMS to:

• Shorten the length of the in-person conference from five days to four, which will save members money on hotel rooms and enable people to attend more of the conference.
• Host our usual number of panels even within the shortened in-person conference, so that we can have the maximum number of members presenting and participating.
• Ensure that members have fewer business meetings vying for their time, allowing freedom to engage with new scholarship in the field via panels, workshops, and roundtables.
• Separating business meetings from the in-person conference also responded directly to member surveys indicating the desire for additional "breathing room" in the conference schedule to allow for social and restorative time within the schedule.
• The Virtual Symposium assures access to important SIG, Caucus, Committee, Mentoring, and other meetings for members who are otherwise unable to attend the in-person conference.

Why not have virtual panel sessions or a totally hybrid conference?

The SCMS board considered these options but decided against it this year because:

• The logistics for a hybrid conference are prohibitive because the needs of in-person and remote participants are different and require distinct models of conference programming.
• At this time, it is prohibitively expensive to do (partly) virtual sessions from inside a hotel or conference center due to the exorbitant costs for securing bandwidth onsite, hosting streaming platform fees, etc.
• In 2021, after one canceled conference and one wholly virtual conference, a majority of members (around 80%) expressed the desire for an in-person meeting.
• Hosting a virtual symposium offers some of the benefits of membership—such as participating in SIGs, Caucuses, and Committees as well as Mentoring Sessions, Special Events, and more—to people who could not attend in-person.

Will SCMS ever have a wholly virtual or hybrid conference?

We know that many members desire more virtual or hybrid events moving forward and we will continue to host the Virtual Symposium and additional virtual SCMS+ events as part of our year-round programming. Please know that we hear your feedback and the board is seriously investigating semi-regular virtual conference options. At this time, SCMS is currently fulfilling hotel contracts for upcoming conferences through 2026. 

What kinds of conference sessions are available during SCMS 2024?

As is our usual practice, SCMS is offering three forms of sessions during the in-person conference: Panels, Workshops, and Roundtables. Seminars were held during the Virtual Symposium.

If my proposal is accepted, what are the registration requirements?

All presenters must register for the conference. The deadline for presenters to register and become a member to be listed in the final program is Friday, January 19, 2024.

Why are the Caucus/SIG business meetings taking place during the Virtual Symposium?

To allow members to be engaged in their Caucus/SIGs regardless of whether or not they attend the in-person conference, the SCMS Board and staff decided to move these business meetings to the Virtual Symposium. Additionally, the virtual format allows members to attend more Caucus/SIG meetings than is possible in person.

We will offer receptions, a coffee break, and other means of mixing to allow for networking during the in-person conference.

• SIGs and Caucuses can host formal and informal gatherings during the conference separate from their business meetings online.
• We encourage members to suggest or plan events that can be held during the year outside the conference. SCMS+ is a great way to host webinars and discussions and many SIGs have hosted Zoom events. Additionally, we have the SCMS Partners program to try and host events outside the United States.

Why did Seminars take place during the Virtual Symposium?

• We wanted Seminars to be accessible to as many people as possible. It is our goal to ensure that graduate students (who make up 50% of Seminar participants), members based outside of the US, and others who may not be able to attend the conference can still join a Seminar, either as participants or audience members.
• Seminars lend themselves to the online format because much of the work is done in advance of the session.
• Moving the Seminars to the virtual symposium enables us to schedule more panels during the in-person conference.
• Because we held Seminars during the symposium, you did not have to register for the conference to attend or participate in them.

Will anything at the in-person conference be recorded?

At the virtual symposium, meetings could be recorded at the discretion of the chair and made available for a limited time on the symposium platform. We realized that it might've been difficult for our membership to attend all proceedings due to time zone and dependent care challenges, among other commitments. We also recognized that some members may be concerned about privacy issues, which is why we required login access and Zoom recording consent. Particular meetings could choose not to be recorded and individuals could keep their microphone/camera off.

For the in-person conference, we will not record sessions and we will not host pre-recorded sessions. In Boston, all participation and presentations will be held live and in-person.

In Person - Boston

Why should I book a room at the Sheraton Boston Hotel when I can easily get an airBnB, use Expedia, or stay at a cheaper hotel?

At SCMS conferences, ensuring a substantial number of booked hotel rooms is imperative to access crucial amenities including meeting spaces, designated areas for nursing, the quiet room, the lounge (ideal for work and device charging), exhibits, receptions, complimentary WiFi, and more. It's crucial to note that our room rates have remained consistently competitive, offering added value with inclusive services like WiFi despite rising expenses. Our posted nightly room rate has consistently stayed under $199/night before taxes and fees, underscoring our commitment to working as hard as we can to obtain the lowest rate possible for our members. Moreover, with 30 concurrent sessions in Boston, the demand for AV services underscores the significance of securing the necessary room bookings. If SCMS does not fill our block of rooms, we incur massive penalties.

This year, we ask that you first book at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. If you have difficulty booking the conference hotel, please reach out to the home office first to see if there is any additional availability before booking elsewhere.

A roommates forum is available to connect attendees who are interested in sharing a room onsite.

Why can't SCMS book a budget hotel too, so that we have a choice?

Staying in the conference hotel is the most convenient choice for SCMS members and supports SCMS and our meeting needs. A budget hotel is less expensive because almost all of its square footage is for sleeping rooms; it can charge a lower rate for those rooms, but doesn't have the meeting rooms or audiovisual services to serve us. They are often in locations where real estate is less expensive. After we've filled our contracted quotas with the Sheraton Boston Hotel, some less expensive options might become available.

Are you requiring vaccinations to attend in-person?

SCMS is following CDC guidelines and monitoring the changing landscape of the Covid-19 virus as well as various transmittable viruses across the globe. We recognize that vaccinations may not be accessible to all of our members. For these reasons, the board will announce any policies or restrictions closer to the conference. We encourage all members to get vaccinated (when the vaccine is made available to you) and to research vaccination rules and any other restrictions that may impact your travel.

Are safety protocols going to be in place at the in-person meeting?

Our top priority is the health and safety of all attendees. We are following guidance from the CDC as well as following standards set forth by the venue and municipal, state, and federal authorities. We will implement best practices aimed at promoting attendee health and minimizing exposure to illnesses and associated risks. Any protocols will be a living document that will continue to evolve as venue and local standards change.

If transmission levels exceed the city's average, SCMS will communicate specific conference precautions beforehand. SCMS also reserves the right to dismiss an attendee from the conference if they fail to comply with announced guidelines.

My institution says they will not be able to provide travel funds. Will SCMS be able to help me?

SCMS has a limited number of travel grants available. Please be sure and apply before the Friday, January 5 deadline. 

Can you make sure my session is not scheduled at the same time as other sessions on similar topics?

The program takes place over several days with many scheduled sessions, and some conflicts are unavoidable. The Program Committee works hard to avoid conflicts of topics and potential audiences. Because we offer many concurrent sessions at a time, and because sessions may take up multiple topics and multiple kinds of media, it is not always easy to avoid conflicts. Please know that we try very hard to do so and continue to refine our programming methods to better serve members.

I am not sure I will be allowed entry to the US by the time of the in-person conference in Boston. Will I be able to cancel and obtain a refund?

Please see the SCMS Cancellation and Refund policies below.

Can I obtain a visa letter of invitation if I need one?

To obtain a letter of invitation, you will need to fill out an electronic form to request visa support. We strongly advise participants to personally check entry and visa requirements before making travel arrangements as soon as possible, as there might be country-specific conditions that you are not aware of. For the most accurate information please contact the embassy/consulate of the country where the conference will be held, in your home country. Also remember that your request for a letter of invitation to attend the SCMS Annual Conference does not guarantee you will obtain a visa.

What kind of accessibility arrangements are available? What about child care? Areas for privacy? (e.g. lactation, quiet, etc.)

SCMS will provide support services upon request, designated areas for privacy, as well as dependent care subsidies this year. Please see our website for more information on inclusion and childcare. 

Can a presenter participate virtually (via a platform such as Zoom or Skype) during the in-person conference if they cannot be physically present? OR Can I present remotely or via recording?

No. At this time, we are unable to provide the option of "hybrid" participation. At the conference, all participation and presentations will be held live and in-person.

What if someone from my session cannot commit to being in person?

We understand the challenges associated with planning due to uncertainties worldwide, university budget constraints, and international travel. Our standard practice involves presenters delivering their work in person, with exceptions only for unforeseen, exceptional circumstances. If a panelist or participant cannot attend their scheduled presentation in Boston, the session will proceed as planned. We kindly request session Chairs to announce any individual cancellations at the presentation's outset. Regrettably, we are currently unable to accommodate requests for hybrid presentations via Zoom or pre-recorded formats.

With seminar topics and business meetings within a Virtual Symposium space that is included in membership dues, we hope to include all members into the scholarly conversations and business for the year, regardless of restrictions on travel.

2024 Conference Registration & Membership Fees

How much will this year's conference registration cost?

• Please visit the Conference Registration page on our website for this information.
• As a reminder, SCMS relies on membership and registration fees to run the conference and help maintain baseline operations for the organization, including staff salaries, throughout the year. Without these funds, the organization cannot remain solvent.

What are the benefits of membership?

SCMS Individual Membership provides:

• JCMS: Journal of Cinema and Media Studies : Receive access to four quarterly issues of JCMS per membership year, as well as access to the JCMS/Cinema Journal archives through Project Muse.
• Annual Conference: Engage with the leading scholars in the field at the SCMS annual conference held in locations across the U.S. and abroad
• Awards: The Society also sponsors annual award competitions to honor professional and scholarly achievements in film and media scholarship. These honors include awards for books, edited collections, essays, and dissertations. SCMS also recognizes other forms of professional distinction with awards for pedagogy and service.
• Membership Database/Social Networking: Put yourself in in contact with colleagues, collaborators and mentors
• Career Center: Access the most up-to-date and specific job listings, and gain access to useful insight from established professionals about careers in cinema and media studies
• Caucuses and Scholarly Interest Groups (SIGs) : Locate existing or build new groups of SCMS members interested in specific aspects of media culture such as Television Studies and Sound Studies, or Caucuses that support underrepresented members within the organization.
• Member Organizations: Additional organizational groups within SCMS also work on behalf of student members and fellow scholars. The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) provides fellowship, support, and advocacy for the Society's graduate student members. The Precarious Labor Organization (PLO) provides community and advocacy for the Society's members who are in positions without job security or a clear route to promotion and advancement.
• SCMS+ and Workshops: A dynamic, responsive, and member-led initiative, SCMS+ extends the conversation among members of the SCMS community beyond the annual conference for scholarly reflections, events, and other forums. Additional workshops are also led year-round by Caucuses, SIGs, the GSO and the PLO.
• Membership also gives you access to that year's Virtual Symposium – and allows you to submit proposals for the in-person conference.

Membership in SCMS helps to cover the operating costs and expenses that sustain us as an organization throughout the year, including funding for Caucus/SIGs, travel and dependent care grants, registration waivers for graduate students and so on. SCMS is a non-profit organization: all income cycles back to its members.

For more on the benefits of membership and dues, please visit our membership page.

What is the SCMS cancellation and refund policy?

Please see our website for specific conference cancellation and refund information.

Once a paper or session is submitted, it is expected that the author(s) will present their paper at the conference if the proposal is accepted. Participation in the conference is highly competitive, and a canceled presentation eliminates a spot that could have accommodated another scholar. Participants whose proposals are accepted for the conference MUST pay their conference fees by a specified date. Conference payments not made by this date will result in the participant's name not appearing in the program. All participants must be registered and have a badge to present and attend the conference.

Membership dues are not refundable even if your paper is not accepted.

All cancellation notifications and requests for conference registration refunds must be submitted online by a specified date. A cancellation form will be available after acceptance notices are sent. We are unable to process cancellation by phone or email. Upon request, registration fees may also be converted to a donation to SCMS.

Limited Waivers for Participants Outside of Academia or Media Studies-related Professionals: SCMS will waive the membership requirement and/or the conference registration fee for a limited number of session participants who are not academics or individuals who would not otherwise become members of SCMS (e.g., journalists, authors, filmmakers, etc.), and whose participation is considered essential for the integrity of the session to which they are invited. Waiver requests are accepted during the proposal period.  However, if you have a late request, please reach out to the Home Office. 

How do I update account and profile options when I renew my membership?

Members can update their account and profile settings on the Manage Profile page once logged into the cmstudies.org website. From here, click on Edit Bio to update membership information, including organization/affiliation and contact information. Other profile options can also be found on the Manage Profile page, including payment and registration information, notification preferences, etc. Should you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact the SCMS Home Office.

Panels, Workshops, and Roundtables

How many panels, workshops, and/or roundtables can I be on?

• Members may only propose one paper for the conference, as part of a pre-constituted panel proposal or open call paper proposal.
• Panels, workshops and roundtables are NOT EXEMPT from the one-role rule. You may participate in only one of those.
• For more on panels, workshops and roundtables, please see "Presentation Compositions" on our general Conference FAQ page.

Community, SIGs, and Caucuses

How will Caucus and SIG meetings work?

• Caucus and SIG meetings will take place every year during the Virtual Symposium.
• Caucus and SIG chairs will be free to make use of that time in the way they feel works best for their group.
• Caucuses and SIG chairs will be allowed to sign up for their time slots, as in the past.
• Caucuses and SIGs may wish to plan a formal or informal social gathering during the in-person conference.
• Due to the financial constraints we still find ourselves under, funds will be limited to ongoing Caucus and SIG business, including previously awarded travel grants, writing awards and prizes. While SCMS is not yet able to fund happy hours and the like, we truly hope to again in the future!

Will each group receive funds from SCMS even though the Caucus/SIG meetings are virtual?

• SCMS will continue to fund pre-existing, ongoing prizes (cash that was attached to a prize in the past) given by Caucuses and SIGs.
• SCMS will continue to fund travel grants that have previously been granted by Caucuses and SIGs.
• Caucuses can apply for the maximum allotment of $600 and SIGs can request up to $500, dispersed from a shared SIG fund pending committee review.

How will Committee meetings work?

• Committee meetings will take place during the Virtual Symposium and elsewhere during the year as decided on, and arranged for, by the committee chair(s).
• Committee chairs will be free to make use of that time in the way they feel works best for their group.
• Committee chairs will be allowed to sign up for their time slots.
• Committees may plan a formal or informal social gathering during the in-person conference.

Events

How will special events happen for the 2024 Conference?

• To prioritize social opportunities in 2024, we will not be hosting a call for special event proposals for the conference this year.

General Conference FAQs about things like what makes a successful proposal, panel types and participants, the proposal review process, and more can be found at https://www.cmstudies.org/page/conference_faq

Updates to FAQ pages will be ongoing as more information is available. Thank you.