Miami, Florida/Montréal, Quebec - It’s a critical time for cultural exchanges - exchanges that support conversations, creativity, knowledge, and growth. More necessary than ever, as we are coming to terms with life in semi-isolation and imagining re-entry into the “new normal”. A time when civil unrest due to social injustice is catalyzing reform, where impediments to travel are both medical and political. We are each charged with a responsibility, to be human.
Since the advent of digital technology and now new XR tech, the ability to tell our stories, engage friends, and strangers alike has never before been more important and powerful than as a tool for connecting to our humanity. To this end, we are launching The Montréal/Miami New Narratives Lab, a cross-cultural exchange between creative storytellers, organizations, and innovative technology industries, in pursuit of exploring the future of storytelling in augmented and mixed reality. It is also an opportunity to combine our efforts across the borders and continue the work of gender parity in the global tech industry.
The Montréal/Miami New Narratives Lab is a partnership between FilmGate Interactive—a Miami-based film, education, and digital arts festival, MUTEK—a Montréal-based electronic music and digital arts festival, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)—Canada's public film and digital media producer and distributor, and O Cinema—an independent first-run art house exhibiting and producing films and events in Miami.
Industry partners include the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)—Québec’s funding body for cultural industries, and Kaleidoscope—a XR community fund for artist grants, events, and networking.
The Montréal/Miami New Narratives Lab will take the form of workshops, conferences, and a call for creatives. The call for proposals will be announced as we scout for experienced cis, trans-women and non-binary creators with strong ideas and unique perspectives, who are based in Miami or in Montréal. This opportunity is for six creatives to create and develop a proof of concept ready to pitch to potential funders and co-producing partners. This lab will also proffer challenges present in the technology and thought experiments to evoke innovative ways of addressing them. Throughout the lab, they will work together on their project ideas, and receive mentorship and hands-on support from expert storytellers, technologists, and industry partners,including Magic Leap—a leading tech startup based in Florida, producing a wearable spatial computer that brings the physical and digital worlds together.
Join our community. Subscribe to our communication channels for more information on workshops, conferences, and call for proposal announcements.
FilmGate Miami
FilmGate Miami is a not-for-profit film organization that empowers actors, writers, and independent media makers in Florida by organizing workshops, screenings, and educational events that benefit its community at large and redefine the way stories are being conceived and shared, collectively. Launched in 2013, the annual FilmGate Interactive Media Festival brings together creators, professionals, and audiences to witness the technology of today shape the stories of tomorrow through interactive screenings, creative panels, master classes, immersive art installations, music and networking events. The 7th Edition of FilmGate Interactive takes place in Miami, from December 4 to 7, 2020.
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MUTEK
Founded in Canada 20 years ago, MUTEK is a global network with yearly festival editions in Montreal, Mexico City, Barcelona, Tokyo, Buenos Aires and San Francisco. Situated at the intersection of art and technology, MUTEK showcases audiovisual performance, live electronic music and a wide range of digital works, including interactive installation, projection and screen-based work, and immersive and XR projects. The professional MUTEK Forum provides a joint platform for artists, companies, researchers and other industry players to explore the latest practices and tools, make new business connections, and nourish critical thinking with regards to technology and society. The 21st edition of the MUTEK Festival and Forum takes place in Montreal, from September 8 to 13, 2020.
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The National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is one of the world’s leading digital content hubs, creating groundbreaking interactive documentaries and animation, mobile content, installations and participatory experiences. NFB interactive productions and digital platforms have won over 100 awards, including 21 Webbys. To access this award-winning content and discover the work of NFB creators, visit NFB.ca, download its apps for mobile devices or visit NFB Pause.
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O Cinema
O Cinema is an independent, community-based, mission-driven, nonprofit arthouse cinema in Miami-Dade County and the Beaches featuring first-run films, programs, and events. Our mission is to provide intriguing, entertaining, and superior quality films that audiences will otherwise not see in South Florida. We work to ensure that the films we present are a reflection of our diverse community and that prices are accessible to the broadest possible audience. We believe in the power of films to change communities and change lives. Through a robust platform of creative, innovative, and engaging programs we strive to Entertain, Educate, and Inspire.
Main Partners
The Montreal / Miami New Narratives Lab is organized by FilmGate Miami, MUTEK, the National Film Board of Canada and O Cinema, in collaboration with the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), with the support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the Miami Dade Department of Cultural Affairs.
