Iconic urban settings shape cinematic narration in unique ways. Landmarks like the Coliseum, the Forbidden City, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai serve not just as background to a film’s plot, but play their own part as expressions of cultural values, technical achievements, cultural exchanges and conflicts, or historical constellations. The manifold representations of urban phenomena in film are closely entangled with religious communities, institutions, traditions, practices, worldviews, or places. In this JRFM issue, we explore the multilayered interactions between urbanity and religion in mainstream films, arthouse productions, TV series, or short films.

What do the collectible stuffed animals called Labubu have to do with religion? There is no simple answer to this question, but fandom plays a role. This is a complex field of research between politics, economic interests, and media that feeds on religious narratives and refers to specific worldviews and norms. It is about belonging and differentiation—think, for example, of all the online tests that Harry Potter fans take to find out which house at Hogwarts they belong to—and about the legitimization of ways of thinking and visions. With this issue, the editors hope to contribute to a better understanding of how religion influences fandom practices. It is less about questions of the extent to which fandom could be religion or religion a form of fandom, and more about how the various forces that drive fandom practices, e.g., economic interests, established power interests, political agendas, are fueled or expressed through religious language or iconography.

Anyone who spends time in the digital space will encounter numerous websites, influencers, and videos offering ideological, spiritual, or religious content, communities, and opinions. Among them are many who define themselves as atheist or non-religious. Popular culture, such as deconversion videos or films and TV-series, also addresses the topic of atheism and nonreligion in various ways. The spring issue 2027 of JRFM aims to further explore the representation of atheism and non-religion in media and popular culture and invites authors to submit articles on this highly exciting field of research.