MASTERCLASS | Connecting Indigenous XR to Audiences: Distribution Insights from imagineNATIVE, presented by the ISO

As extended reality (XR) increasingly establishes itself as a powerful narrative medium, its widespread adoption continues to face significant obstacles, and the challenges of XR distribution are great.

Festivals are a primary source of distribution for XR works, but Indigenous XR festivals and platforms are rare, and projects are seldom presented in their cultural context. How can we Indigenize the ecosystem and better support the development of these works?

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival has become a beacon for Indigenous XR projects, offering unique opportunities for creators and audiences alike. Since 2016, the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival introduces audiences to a curated selection of Digital + Interactive and Audio works via the iNdigital Space, which is offered both in-person during the festival, and online. Visitors are able to see, listen, and play with the diverse Official Selection, including VR, 360 video, AR, video games, and interactive web and digital media works.

As a preeminent organization in Canada's cultural sector, imagineNATIVE has led the way for the distribution and showcasing of Indigenous XR projects. The festival team discusses the development of the iNdigital Space, best practices, and strategies for growing an audience in the emergent XR space.

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During the event, no interpreter for the Deaf will be present.