In a bid to foster more creative storytelling in the XR field, a newly formed international collaboration between UK and Canadian organisations has launched a programme called the UK-Canada Immersive Exchange. Applications have now opened for artists, filmmakers and creators to apply.
A partnership between StoryFutures Academy, Arts Council England, the Canada Media Fund, The Canadian Film Centre’s Media Lab (CFC Media Lab) and the Canada Council for the Arts, the Immersive Exchange programme has a co-production fund of GBP £300,000 (CAD $510,000) to help bring projects to life.
Looking to select a total of 24 applicants the Immersive Exchange wants creatives from a range of backgrounds, whether that’s theatre, performing and visual arts, videogames, TV, film and any other media.
“We are thrilled to launch this programme with such a fantastic group of international partners. It’s crucially important to ensure the UK works internationally and builds cross-cultural collaborations that will benefit both Canada and the UK, enabling us to stay at the forefront of immersive innovation,” said Rebecca Gregory-Clarke, Head of Immersive, StoryFutures Academy in a statement. “The UK-Canada Immersive Exchange has been created to lower the barrier to entry for exciting creative partnerships across borders. We know from our experience at StoryFutures Academy that immersive storytelling projects have brilliant creative visionaries, as well as savvy producers who can adapt their approach to work with partners from all corners of the creative landscape. We can’t wait to convene this wealth of outstanding talent from both countries and see what they create together.”
The programme will be split down where six ‘Creative Leads’ and six ‘Creative Producers’ from each country will be selected. The Creative Leads (artists, filmmakers, theatre directors) will drive the creative direction of a project whilst the Creative Producers will bring required business skills and immersive production experience so that projects can become a reality.
Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund added: “We’re delighted to come together with such a strong group of Canadian and UK partners. The wealth of talent and innovative approaches to storytelling by creators on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as the cultural ties that bind our two countries, will no doubt lead to the creation of new immersive experiences and narrative forms that push the limits of art and technology. We look forward to seeing stimulating talent exchanges develop, followed by the co-production of content that will continue to blur the geographic and creative boundaries of immersive storytelling.”
Participants will receive a fixed Development Grant of £2,000 (CAD $3,400) for the initial development stage before pitching for additional funds ranging from £25,000 (CAD $ 42,500) to £100,000 (CAD $ 170,000). Applications have now opened with the deadline being 17th September 2020. The UK-Canada Immersive Exchange will then commence in November and conclude with final projects delivered by 1st November 2021. For continued updates, keep reading VRFocus.
