SCSMI 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Wednesday, June 10 to Saturday, June 13
Hosted by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU).
About the Conference
The Society for Cognitive Studies of the Moving Image (SCSMI) is an interdisciplinary organization of scholars interested in cognitive, philosophical, aesthetic, historical, psychological, neuroscientific, and evolutionary approaches to the analysis of film and other moving image media.
The annual conference provides a space for dialogue between moving image theorists, historians, critics, philosophers, and scientifically-oriented researchers. The 2026 edition will be hosted by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) in the Netherlands from June 10 to June 13, 2026.
Conference presentations will support the Society’s mission to foster rigorous, interdisciplinary conversations around how we understand, create, and experience film, television, and other audiovisual forms.
Submission procedures and travel award details can be found on the Oxford Abstracts submission portal.
For questions about the conference, contact the organizing team at scsmi.conference.2026@vu.nl. The team includes:
- Dr. Katalin Bálint (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam – Lead Co-Organizer)
- Dr. Cynthia Cabañas (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam – Lead Co-Organizer)
- Gaya Yonah (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
- Dr. Tess Lankhuizen (University of Amsterdam)
- Margriet Schager (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Venue
The conference will be held at the NU Building on the campus of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam:
Address: De Boelelaan 1111, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
[📍 Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TCufCkbGNfy4BHj99 ]
The NU Building offers:
- A 120-seat plenary space
- Multiple breakout rooms for panels and parallel sessions
- Full AV and livestreaming support
- On-site café, restaurant, and bar
- Step-free, wheelchair-accessible facilities
The Zuidas district, where VU is located, is Amsterdam’s modern business and academic hub — home to multinational companies, legal offices, and cultural institutions. It’s exceptionally well-connected:
- Amsterdam Zuid Station: 10 minutes by train from Schiphol Airport
- Easy access to the city center by metro, tram, or bus
- Ample restaurants, hotels, and green spaces within walking distance
More about Amsterdam can be found in: https://www.iamsterdam.com/en