Video interviews on the distribution and presentation of cultural immersive media productions
Immersive media productions are often costly to develop and present due to the use of complex technologies. In a series of video interviews, makers and cultural organisations that have received grants through the ‘Pilot Vouchers Cultural Immersive Productions’ scheme tell how the vouchers have contributed to the presentation and distribution of their projects. Interviewees are Avinash Changa (We Make VR), Marcel van Brakel (Polymorf), Melissa van der Schoor and Vanja Kaludjercic (International Film Festival Rotterdam), and Klasien van de Zandschulp (Affect Lab).
16 April 2025
The Netherlands lacks a strong distribution network and a financial business model for cultural immersive media productions. Since 2019, the Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie and the Nederlands Filmfonds have been working together to strengthen the immersive, interactive media climate. The focus of this cooperation is on the development and realisation of cultural media productions, such as VR, AR, 360-degree film and interactive installations.
The Pilot Vouchers Cultural immersive productions took place at the end of 2023. 33 applications received a voucher. The grant consisted of a total amount of €260,000 and targeted makers, producers, festivals and presentation institutions that distribute and present Dutch immersive media productions.
Video-interviews
Producer We Make VR spent the voucher on the technical and narrative modifications needed to transform a VR work into a Dome projection, allowing 300 people to experience the work at the same time, instead of 1 person putting on a VR headset.
Polymorf applied for a voucher to facilitate an additional show of Symbiosis, an immersive experience that uses VR, physical stimulation, smell and taste. Because players need intensive supervision, it is often too expensive a production for festivals to programme.
IFFR used the voucher to fund the necessary equipment such as headsets and adding live elements to immersive productions, such as a series of performances by Spinvis. IFFR is also working on a distribution chain in collaboration with other film and arts festivals.
Affect Lab was able to use the voucher to update and adapt an existing installation, Ctrl.Alt.Image for a museum setting at FOAM, Amsterdam, and have it travel to other cities in the Netherlands.
The results of the pilot were taken into account in the final scheme launched in autumn 2024, which is specifically aimed at an (additional) contribution to improve visibility and screening infrastructure in the Netherlands.
Research report
Parallel to the voucher scheme, a research project took place by Moonshot Digital Culture and led by Nieuwe Instituut. The first part of the research focused on the effects of the voucher scheme and recommendations for the final 2024 scheme. Read the research report here.
The second part of the research focuses on the broader context and will lead to recommendations for improving the presentation capabilities of the digital culture sector and the necessary infrastructure for distribution. This research will run until April 2025.