The 6th Mobile Studies Congress invites researchers, creative practitioners, designers, filmmakers, and industry professionals to submit papers and proposals for presentations, workshops, screenings, showcases, and panel discussions on the theme “Go Mobile, Stay Connected.” This annual event examines the transformative impact of mobile media, cellphilming, and smart technologies on our lives, society, and creative industries. The congress will explore new ways to connect with culture, country, and communities. The 6th Mobile Studies Congress will also feature a screening of the Mobile Innovation Networks and Association (MINA) smartphone film festival. Selected conference papers and projects will be published in a special issue and edited collection.
Event Details:
Dates: August 21-22, 2026
Venue: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, India
Organizers:
Mobile Studies International, Singapore
Mobile Innovation Networks and Association, MINA, Australia
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, India
We encourage contributions that address a wide range of topics related to mobile studies, mobile communication, creative mobile practices, smartphone filmmaking, mobile storytelling, and cellphilming, including but not limited to the following:
Mobile Studies
· Creator Economy
· The impact of mobile technologies on communication and social connections
· Mobile apps in education, health, and governance
· Mobile media and its societal implications
· Mobile data privacy and security concerns
· The future of mobile infrastructures and networks
· Cultural and ethical considerations in mobile technology adoption
· Mobile literacy and multimodal connectivity
Cellphilm / Smartphone Filmmaking / Mobile Stories
· Cellphilms as City Films
· Mobile Aesthetics
· Mobile Documentaries
· Connecting to community through mobile storytelling
· Connecting to country through mobile storytelling
· Mobile creations and Young people for social change (incl. Selfies, families, friends and peer-groups)
· Activist groups and NGOs using mobile stories to capture those who have no voice
· Mobile XR
Format(s) Online and/or in-person
· Academic presentation (15min)
◦ Creative Arts research paper
◦ Design research paper
◦ Qualitative/Quantitative research paper
◦ Work-in-Progress / Discussion paper
· Lightening talks (5min)
· Roundtable discussion on mobile studies and mobile creative practice
· Workshop proposal
· Video essays
· Showcases
· Project and artefact exhibition
Mobile stories /Cellphilms / Smartphone films
A new MINA category spotlighting innovative and smart stories created with smartphones or other pocket cameras and mobile devices. Open to filmmakers, designers, artists, activists and storytellers, this category celebrates short mobile and digital stories (up to 8 minutes) that utilise mobile technology and smartphone filmmaking to craft compelling narratives around connecting to culture, country and communities. We seek entries that blend creativity with visual communication and storytelling ingenuity, showcasing mobile storytelling that inspires, informs, and engages audiences in new ways. Through this category, we aim to explore the intersection of creativity and innovation, promoting stories that engage audiences for social change and/or shape new experiences.
Submission Guidelines:
· Abstracts should be kept within 300 words
· Submissions must be original and not previously presented or published.
· Please follow the APA style, the 7th edition
· All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review process.
Important Dates:
· Abstract Submission Deadline: 1 March 2026
· Notification of Acceptance: 1 April 2026
For details, please see here: http://www.6thmobilestudiescongress.org/