The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hamilton Library will become a hub for international experts as it hosts the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) annual conference September 8–11, 2025, at the Imin Conference Center. IASA is a leading international organization dedicated to safeguarding recorded sound and audiovisual materials.
This year’s theme, “A Loss of Place: Preserving Climate Narratives, Cultural Identity, and Marginalized Voices through Audiovisual Media,” underscores the urgent need to document communities facing climate displacement and highlights the role of audiovisual archives in preserving cultural resilience.
The conference was brought to Hawaiʻi by David Rowntree, Hamilton Library’s digital preservation librarian, part of the local planning committee with librarians and archivists from Hamilton Library, Bishop Museum, and ʻUluʻulu Archive at UH West Oʻahu.
“Our team’s collective enthusiasm reflects just how significant this event is,” said Rowntree. “Bringing global perspectives to Hawaiʻi’s doorstep is an incredible opportunity, and we’re excited to be part of this important conversation.”
Call for submissions
Submissions are now open through April 14, 2025, for contributions exploring the preservation of climate-impacted media, including film, sound, audiovisual records, drone footage and underwater recordings. The conference aims to spark meaningful discussions at the intersection of climate change, cultural identity, marginalized communities, and Indigenous knowledge systems.
“IASA is thrilled to join the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for this year’s conference,” noted IASA President, Patrick Midtlyng. “As a global organization, our executive board recognized the importance and value of re-engaging with the Pacific region and expressed a strong commitment to making this a priority.”
