NexSymp:1st International Symposium on Creative Multimedia, Research and Practice in the AI Era (AI-CREM 2026)
Reimagining Creativity through Artificial Intelligence
About the Symposium
The 1st International Symposium on Creative Multimedia, Research and Practice in the AI Era (AI-CREM 2026) is an international interdisciplinary platform that brings together academicians, researchers, practitioners, creative professionals, and students to explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping creative multimedia practices.
Aligned with the theme “Reimagining Creativity through Artificial Intelligence,” this symposium aims to critically examine how AI is not only a tool but a collaborative creative agent influencing storytelling, design, filmmaking, interactive media, and digital communication.
AI-CREM 2026 aspires to bridge research and practice, fostering meaningful dialogue between theoretical frameworks and real-world creative applications in the evolving digital ecosystem.
Interested domains of the symposium include, but are not limited to:
Artificial Intelligence & Creative Intelligence
(AI-assisted creativity, Generative AI in media, Machine learning for creative applications, Neural networks in visual storytelling, Intelligent creative agents, and Human-AI co-creation models)
Film, Storytelling & Media Production
(AI in scriptwriting and narrative design, Virtual production and digital cinematography, AI-driven editing and post-production, Synthetic media and deepfake technologies, and evolving authorship in filmmaking)
Creative Digital Arts, Design & Interactive Media
(Generative art and AI illustration, Animation and motion graphics, UI/UX and visual communication, Game design and interactive environments, XR (AR/VR/MR) storytelling, and experiential media)
Communication, Culture, Ethics & Society
(AI and cultural representation, Ethics and bias in AI-generated content, Digital identity, AI in social communication, and societal impact of AI in creative industries)
Creative Industry, Innovation & Practice-Based Research
(AI in advertising and media industries, Creative entrepreneurship, Digital content production pipelines, Innovation in business models, Practice-based research (NTROs), and multimedia creative works)
Submission and Publication
| Track 1: MMU Press Journals (Registration fee: Free) |
Track 2: Associated Journals (Scopus) (Registration fee: USD60) |
|---|---|
| • Pathway to publication in MMU Press journals. • Free (No APC)  AI, Creative Media & Emerging Technologies:Submission via International Journal of Creative Multimedia (IJCM) ISSN: 2716-6333 : (select under section: NexSymp: AI-CREM2026)
Paper Submission Guidelines (OJS Manual):
|
• Currently, no associated Scopus-indexed journal pathways are available for AI-CREM submissions. Updates will be announced on this page if new pathways become available.
|
Authors who have submitted a new paper via OJS or CMT are required to complete the Paper Submission Form here: Paper Submission Form
Publication Notes
- All submissions are subject to peer review and editorial decision.
- Acceptance for presentation does not guarantee final journal publication as it is subject to authors completing all required revisions and editorial requirements.
- Final publication decisions rest with the respective journal editors.
- APC/Publication fees (if applicable) are separate from the NexSymp registration fee and payable directly by the authors to the respective journals/publishers upon acceptance. Publication fees and arrangements may vary depending on the respective journal’s review, editorial, and publication procedures under the symposium collaboration arrangement.
- Important: While Track 2 provides access to journals that are currently Scopus-indexed, Scopus indexing is not guaranteed by NexSymp Summit 2026 or MMU Press. Indexing status is determined solely by the respective journals and indexing bodies, and may change at any time. Authors are advised to verify a journal’s current indexing status independently before submission.
- Papers not selected for associated Scopus-indexed journals may be considered for the NexSymp Summit Proceedings (eISBN) published by MMU Press, subject to editorial review and quality requirements.
| Track 1: MMU Press Journals | Track 2: Associated Journals (Scopus) | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | Free | USD 60 |
| APC/ Publication fees | None | May apply (payable to the journal) |
| Submission system | Direct submission to MMU Press journals (OJS) | CMT |
| Publication scope | MMU Press journals | Associated Scopus-indexed journals |
| Fallback if not published | Not applicable | NexSymp Summit Proceedings (eISBN) |
Keynote Speakers
Professor Gunalan Nadarajan
Dean Emeritus & Professor
University of Michigan
Prof. Gunalan Nadarajan has held academic and leadership roles in art and design for more than three decades. He served as dean of the University of Michigan’s Stamps School of Art & Design from 2012 to 2022 and continues there as Dean Emeritus and Professor. Before joining Michigan, he held positions at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Penn State, and LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore. His work and scholarship emphasise contemporary art, media arts, design, and technology.
Aziz M. Osman
Film Director & Producer
Ace Motion Pictures Sdn. Bhd.
Aziz M. Osman is an award-winning Malaysian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor, as well as the Director General of Ace Motion Pictures. Known for landmark productions such as XX Ray, Puteri Impian, and Leftenan Adnan, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Malaysia’s film industry and currently serves as an Advisor to Persatuan Kreatif AI Malaysia (PéKA)
Invited Speakers
Rames Harikrishnasamy
Digital Artist & Designer/ Adobe Influencer
Rames Studios
Rames Harikrishnasamy is a Malaysian self-taught digital artist, designer, and creative influencer known for photorealistic digital artworks and cinematic visual storytelling. As founder of Rames Studios, he draws inspiration from mythology and pop culture, gaining an international following. Recognised as a Adobe Creative Influencer, he represents the Asia-Pacific region at Adobe MAX and collaborates with major brands, inspiring creators through self-learning and digital tools.
Emalina Aimi Edris
AI Adoption Specialist
Reiki Consulting
Emalina Aimi Edris is a Communications and Digital Adoption Strategist with over 15 years of experience in digital transformation, change management, and employee engagement, including leadership roles at PETRONAS. She has driven enterprise-wide adoption of AI, Microsoft Copilot, Adobe tools, and digital learning platforms. She designs and facilitates AI and change programs that help professionals build future-ready digital skills and adopt new technologies with confidence. She shares practical insights on AI adoption and human-centered transformation through her work at Reiki Consulting.
Dates and Registration
|
Description |
Deadline |
|
Full paper submission deadline |
|
|
Paper acceptance notification |
15 August 2026 |
|
Camera ready submission |
24 August 2026 |
|
Registration deadline |
|
| Symposium date |
29-30 September 2026 |
PAYMENT METHODS
Online Payment [link to Cynergy payment gateway]
If you are from a collaborator institution and are eligible for an additional discount, please contact your institution’s PIC or our team to obtain a discount coupon for online payment.
Bank Transfer
- Account Name: Unitele Multimedia Sdn. Bhd.
- Bank: CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad
- Account No.: 86-0090180-2
- SWIFT Code: CTBBMYKL
Note: Please include your paper ID and name as reference.
REGISTRATION FEES
Registration and presentation at NexSymp Summit 2026 are required for all accepted papers to proceed with publication consideration.
Fee Structure
|
Tracks |
Registration Fees (excl. APCs) |
| Track 1: MMU Press Journals | Free |
| Track 2: Associated Journals (Scopus) | USD 60 |
What the Registration Fee Covers
- Conference participation
- Presentation of accepted paper
- Access to the selected submission tracks
Important Fee Notes
- Registration fee covers symposium participation only.
- APC/Publication fees (if applicable) is separate from the registration fee and payable directly by the authors to the respective journal upon acceptance.
- Each accepted paper requires at least one registered author.
- Non-registration or non-presentation may result in withdrawal from publication consideration.
Who Should Attend?
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students in creative multimedia, film, design, computer science, and related fields
- Researchers and academicians in AI, creative media, communication, and digital technologies
- Filmmakers, content creators, designers, and multimedia practitioners
- Industry professionals in media, technology, and creative industries
- Innovators, technologists, and AI practitioners
- Policy makers and stakeholders in the digital and creative economy
Chair
Chair: Ts. Dr. Vimala Perumal (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
Co-Chair: Ts. Dr. Khong Chee Weng (Multimedia University, Malaysia), Ms. Nor Alley binti Zulkafly (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
Program Chair: TBA
Technical Chairs:
- Dr. Elyna Amir Sharji (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
- Muhd. Tamim Faruq (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
- Khairun Niza Mohd Radzi (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
- Ts. Dr. Khong Chee Weng (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
Publication Chair:
- Ts. Dr. Khong Chee Weng (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
- Dr. Elyna Amir Sharji (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
- Ms. Hanafizan Binti Hussain (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
Collaboration Chairs:
- Mohd. Khairy Ishar (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
- Dr. Syarifah Nurleyana Wafa (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
- Yusran Mazalan (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
Creative Works Chairs:
- Dr. Anis Haron (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
- Qushairy Zazili (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
Publicity Chairs:
- Muhd. Syahmi Aziz (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
- Mohd Nazri Rusli (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
Secretariat:
- Noralizah Abd Ali (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
- Kamal Sujak (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
Logistic:
- Nor Azima Amir Norhalim (Multimedia University, Malaysia)
Technical Program Committee:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alex Tan Wei Kian (Raffles University)
- Dr Juaina Binti Ahmad Fadzil (Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology)
CMT Acknowledgement
The Microsoft CMT service was used for managing the peer-reviewing process for this conference. This service was provided for free by Microsoft and they bore all expenses, including costs for Azure cloud services as well as for software development and support.
Collaborators:
Technical Sponsor: