The 2026 Awards Portal is Now Closed

Since 1971, SCMS has annually honored the year's best in cinema and media studies scholarship, teaching, and professional service. The 2025–2026 Awards will be presented at the 2026 SCMS Conference. Please submit questions/concerns to awards@scmsconference.com.

Student Awards

Student Writing Award
SCMS's oldest honor, the Student Writing Award recognizes essays or writing by graduate students.

Dissertation Award
The Society's annual award for an outstanding dissertation in cinema and media studies.

Essay Awards

Katherine Singer Kovács Essay Award
Awarded to the best essay published in a journal.

Best Essay in an Edited Collection Award
Awarded to the best essay published in an anthology.

Book or Project Awards

Best First Book Award
Recognizing the best first book by an author in the field of cinema and media studies.

Katherine Singer Kovács Book Award
Honoring the memory of USC professor Katherine Singer Kovács, this award is given to an outstanding book published in the field of cinema and media studies.

Best Edited Collection Award
Awarded to the year's best anthology in cinema and media studies.

Anne Friedberg Innovative Scholarship Award
Presented in memory of SCMS president-elect Anne Friedberg, this award recognizes innovative work that expands the discipline of cinema and media studies.

Teaching, Service, and Career Awards

Innovative Pedagogy Award
For new methods, perspective and techniques in teaching.

Distinguished Pedagogy Award
For outstanding pedagogical achievement in the field of cinema and media studies.

Distinguished Service Award
For outstanding service to the Society.

Distinguished Career Achievement Award
For outstanding contributions to the field over the course of a career.