Call for papers - cinEXmedia Partnership International Student Symposium

The cinEXmedia Partnership invites graduate students (Master's and PhD) and postdoctoral researchers to submit a proposal for the third edition of its international student symposium, to be held on November 9 and 10, 2026, at the University of Montreal.

Transformational Screens: Audiovisual Media as Healthcare Infrastructures

This symposium explores the transformational potential of film and audiovisual media in the therapeutic sphere. At the intersection of film studies, health sciences, and social sciences, it aims to examine how screens influence, shape, and support individual and collective well-being. As screens become established as therapeutic tools, audiovisual media are moving beyond their traditional functions of entertainment or aesthetic expression to become increasingly prevalent in healthcare settings. These uses raise numerous questions regarding their production, conditions of use, distribution channels, archiving, and effects.

The event will feature presentations by researchers on ASMR, in dialogue with student presentations on audiovisual media as healthcare infrastructures. To foster rich exchanges around viewing experiences and media practices, we encourage proposals from both graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds (film, cultural studies, communication, psychology, neuroscience, sociology, etc.), including research-creation.

Presentations may address, but are not limited to:

Cinema as a therapeutic tool
The ethical implications of therapeutic works
The promotion of orphan films
Archiving and dissemination practices in clinical settings
Spectator experiences in healthcare settings
Self-regulation through screens
Journalistic or popular audiovisual content

Presentation guidelines (2026 edition)

Participation is open internationally and presentations may be given in French or English. To encourage interaction among participants, two formats will be offered:

For those attending in Montreal: poster presentations.
For those attending internationally: rapid-fire presentations (7-minute presentation followed by 7 minutes of discussion).

During the event, a scientific committee will evaluate all presentations. Feedback will be provided to participants after the conference.

A prize will be awarded to the presentation that stands out for its originality, rigor, and the quality of its popularization.

Submission of proposals

Interested individuals are invited to submit: