SMPTE Issues Call for Technical Papers Ahead of 2026 Media Technology Summit

SMPTE, the global association for media professionals and engineers, has officially opened its call for technical papers for the upcoming 2026 Media Technology Summit. Scheduled to take place from 16-19 November at the Pasadena Convention Center in California, the Summit serves as a platform for showcasing advancements in media creation, management, and delivery. Organisers are seeking original, unpublished manuscripts that explore innovative tools, workflows, and interoperability solutions, with all submissions undergoing a multi-peer review process.
 
Furthermore, SMPTE has included a journal track, where interested parties can submit full, publication-ready manuscripts that will automatically be considered for publication in the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal, subject to a separate post-event peer-review process. Manuscripts must be 3,000 to 5,000 words and will be accepted until May 31.
 
"The SMPTE Media Technology Summit is where the brightest minds in our industry come together to shape the future of media and entertainment," said Juan Reyes, co-chair of the 2026 Media Technology Summit and President of Tech Align Group. "As co-chair of the event, I encourage experts from across the media and entertainment ecosystem to submit new ideas, breakthrough research, and practical insights that will educate and inspire a global audience of industry professionals."
 
The conference program committee will notify authors of decisions by June 30. Authors of selected papers will be granted the opportunity to present at the world's premier peer-reviewed forum dedicated to the exploration of media and entertainment technology. 
 
Paper topics can include, but are not limited to:
Color Science 
• Color Vision and Adaptation for Motion Imaging 
• Color Capture and Reproduction  
• Color Correction, Encoding and Image Processing 
• Emerging Color Pipelines for Motion Imaging  
Emerging & Disruptive Technologies 
• Artificial Intelligence & Automation 
• 5G and Next-Generation Connectivity 
• Blockchain and Decentralized Media Systems 
• Robotics, Control Systems & Machine Vision 
Content Creation & Production Innovation 
• Virtual, Augmented & Mixed Reality Production 
• Immersive and Interactive Media Experiences 
• Next-Generation Content Creation Workflows 
Media Infrastructure & Distribution 
• Cloud and Edge Computing Solutions 
• IP-Based Media Systems & Networking Innovations 
• Evolution of Streaming, OTT, and Hybrid Delivery Models 
Compression, Processing & Optimization 
• Advanced Codecs, Compression Techniques & Standards 
• AI-Powered Signal Processing & Media Optimization 
• HDR, Color Science, and Imaging Technologies 
Hardware, Display & Capture Technologies 
• Cutting-Edge Display, Projection & Viewing Systems 
• Photonics, Sensors, and Optical Technologies 
Industry, Security & Sustainability 
• Sustainable Media Production & Green Workflows 
• Cybersecurity, Privacy & Infrastructure Resilience 
• Standards Development & Industry Evolution 
• Cloud Workflows and Their Role in Sustainability 
Other topics relevant to the Media Tech industry.
 
Previously published, product-specific, commercial, sales, or promotional papers will not be considered for this conference. SMPTE strongly encourages the submission of student papers.
 
For more information and to submit paper proposals online, visit summit.smpte.org/2026/callforpapers.
 
smpte.org