With more than 60 attendants, the 26th edition of the Mallen Screen Entertainment Conference was one of the largest in the series’ history. After conferences at University of California at Los Angeles, Yale University, and Yeshiva University New York, the latest edition of the selective event brought together leading entertainment scientists with industry leaders in film and TV at Magdalene College of the University of Cambridge. Under the guidance of conference chair Professor Allègre Hadida from Cambridge and MCM-Professor Thorsten Hennig-Thurau who served as co-chair of the event, the attendants together explored current trends, challenges, and discussed the power of media innovations.

Professor Thorsten Hennig-Thurau with Conference Chair Allegre Hadida

A special highlight of the conference was the inaugural Mallen Ph.D. Symposium, which served as a full-day event preceding the two days of the main conference. Distinguished thought-leaders and entertainment science legends Darlene C. Chisholm, Charles B. Weinberg, Tom van Laer, and Jordi McKenzie provided rich insights into academic practices and publishing. In breakout sessions, participants engaged deeply with the topics and received detailed feedback on their research projects. The symposium offered an inspiring forum for early-career researchers and intends to boost their academic development.

In addition to Prof. Hennig-Thurau, MCM doctoral students Hanna Pott, Alina Herting, and Lars Grewe also participated in the unique event. During the main conference, Hanna Pott presented ongoing empirical research that explores how the immersive nature of virtual-reality screens changes entertainment consumers’ perception and evaluation of video games.

In addition to academic presentations and discussions as well as Q&A sessions with executives such as Alison Owen (producer of “Elisabeth”, “Saving Mr. Banks”), the conference provided ample opportunities for building lasting networks and fostering international collaborations. Informal conversations during sessions and evening events created ideal conditions for establishing contacts and initiating joint projects. The festive awards ceremony reminded some attendants even of the settings of a young wizard's adventures! (Barak Orbach from the University of Arizona was the winner of the 2024 Mallen Award.)

The 2024 Mallen Conference was a resounding success and will remain a fond memory for attendees. Autumnal Cambridge, with some Münster ingredients, proved to be an impressive environment.

For more information about the Mallen conference series: https://themallenconference.org

Angus Finney and Alison Owen with Allegre Hadida and Professor Thorsten Hennig-Thurau