History

In memory of USC professor Katherine Singer Kovács, this award recognizes an outstanding book in the field of cinema and media studies.  The winner(s) will receive a $1,500 prize and a certificate of citation.

Eligibility

• For the 2026 award, books must be published between August 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025.
• Books should be original works that significantly advance scholarship and thinking in the field either by opening up new lines of inquiry or by consolidating existing ones at a high level of accomplishment.
• No book may compete for more than one SCMS award.
• Publishers and journal editors will be invited to nominate books, but individual SCMS members should feel free either to submit copies of books or articles directly or urge their publisher or editor to do so.
• Republished volumes and edited collections are not eligible.
• Nominated titles must have a minimum length of ~75,000 words.

Procedures

• Entrants must complete the submission form through the Awards portal by the annual deadline.
• All book submissions must be submitted as ebooks or digital files through the submission portal. No physical copies will be accepted. Digital files must be accessible to committee members without additional software or credentials. Watermarked digital copies are accepted. Physical copies of published books may be requested by the award committees at any point throughout the review process.
• Failure to follow procedures will result in disqualification.
• A W-9 form is required for the Kovács Book Award winner before the check will be disbursed.