Our selection included inspiring uses of AI and bio-wearables from around the world, a visionary program celebrating Indigenous resilience and wisdom, and exclusive premieres of video games from local BC studios. It was a journey of discovery and empowerment.
VIFF DIGITAL LIVE x FUTUREMAKERS was the premier showcase for experiencing and celebrating the Pacific Northwest’s role in driving the development of creative technologies that shape new forms of storytelling, artistic expression, and industry. This pilot event, centered around the theme “Intersecting Mixed Reality: Connection in a Hybrid World,” was playful and experiential, demonstrating some of BC’s most innovative and interactive content or tools. It aimed to inspire career professionals, audiences, and artists alike, offering a meeting place for the local industry and invited international guests to build community and connection.
Why did we do this?
The Pacific Northwest has rapidly become one of the world’s largest hubs for creative technology. Major entertainment brands like Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Nintendo America, Sony Imageworks, Industrial Light and Magic, Disney, and Unity have either been founded here or set up operations in the region. This complemented the vibrant homegrown startups in the gaming, XR, Web3, and Metaverse spaces. The cutting-edge technology being developed here was not just about the tech itself but about combining it with content and experience.
At the time, there was no cohesive opportunity to celebrate this work, inspire one another to new heights, feel part of a wider community pursuing the same goals, or engage personally with the audiences who consume our content. As we emerged from a global pandemic, we grappled with the integration and overlap of our personal, social, and working lives. We had more tools than ever to connect virtually, yet we still craved elements of in-person connection and experiences. As we moved into a new era, Futuremakers x VIFF committed to exploring experiences, emerging tools, and creatives to redefine personal connection in tomorrow’s landscape.
Who is this For?
Inner Circle: Cutting-edge aficionados, investors, and those who are or want to be part of the “future creative” industry.
Primary Audience: Screen-based working professionals, emerging artists, and producers.
Secondary Audiences: Post-secondary and high school students interested in screen-based tech, and the VIFF general audience interested in interactive and non-linear content.
Where did this Happen?
Departure Lounge @ Centre for Digital Media
Emily Carr / Showmax Studio
The inaugural VIFF DIGITAL LIVE x FUTUREMAKERS 2022 successfully celebrated and explored the exciting intersection of technology and creativity. It provided an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge innovations, connect with industry leaders, and be inspired by the future of creative technology.