Image credit: Daniel Crooks
Are you an Australian creative practitioner interested in exploring the fascinating realms of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)?
If so, the Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) has just announced the return of the highly acclaimed AFF EXPAND Lab, set to take place in Adelaide from 21st to 27th October 2023. The festival is inviting Expressions of Interest from artists, filmmakers, writers, and visual creators to participate in this unique development initiative.
AFF EXPAND Lab brings together 30 talented individuals who are passionate about exploring the potential of virtual and augmented reality in moving image projects.
Participants will get a chance to learn from and collaborate with industry-leading mentors during the week-long lab. This bold initiative aims to foster creativity and innovation, with the ultimate goal of creating captivating moving image works that will resonate with Australian audiences and beyond.
Following the EXPAND Lab, a select few teams will have the chance to pitch their concepts for the prestigious $100,000 EXPAND Moving Image Commission.
Thanks to the support of Principal Partner, The Balnaves Foundation, Adelaide Film Festival, and Samstag Museum of Art, this commission is one of the most significant opportunities for artists to advance their careers and produce impactful moving image projects. The chosen recipients will showcase their work at the Samstag Museum of Art during the 2025 Adelaide Film Festival.
The lineup of mentors for the 2023 AFF EXPAND Lab is truly impressive, featuring acclaimed names in the industry. The digital artist Daniel Crooks, theatre maker & media artist Robert Walton, and renowned moving image & film producer Bridget Ikin will be part of the mentoring team. Additionally, video artist and filmmaker Amos Gebhardt will join as a mentor for the first part of the lab.
Last year’s inaugural AFF EXPAND Lab was a resounding success, with over 100 applications received for just 30 coveted spots. One of the highlights was the collaborative team of Susan Norrie (NSW), Emmaline Zanelli (SA), and Matthew Thorne (SA) being awarded the inaugural EXPAND Moving Image Commission of $60,000.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to meet and challenge our artistic and creative thinking,” Kat Bell, a participant in the 2022 lab shared.
“The chance to conjure up a great idea and pitch it to industry groups was brilliant, it’s not every day you get to test your creative thinking skills in a pressure-cooker environment. It is brilliant opportunity for anyone in the arts and film industry to meet new people and expand their creative thinking and practice.”
AFF EXPAND Lab is open to all Australia-based practitioners, with 15 places reserved for South Australian participants and 15 for those from other States and Territories. The lab is free to attend, and each participant will receive a basic stipend to cover daily costs. Moreover, participants from regional South Australia and interstate will receive financial support for travel and accommodation.
The AFF EXPAND Lab is an initiative led by the Adelaide Film Festival, in partnership with Samstag Museum of Art, Art Gallery of South Australia, and Illuminate Adelaide. Principal Partner, The Balnaves Foundation, and Arts South Australia provide valuable support to make this exciting venture possible.
If you’re an Australian creative eager to push the boundaries of visual storytelling through VR and AR, this is an unmissable opportunity. Expressions of Interest are now open and will close at midnight on Sunday, 27th August 2023. Get ready to unleash your creativity and be part of this groundbreaking initiative!
For further details and to apply for EXPAND Lab, click here.
