2024 Winners, Film Selections, Programs, Pitches, and Judges
DFW 2024 Selections
Sphere of Light Award
Lullaby
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dan Neafus
Juror's Choice Award
Antarctic Uruguay
Best Children's Film
Little Major Tom
Best Musical Feature Film
Sounds of the Ocean
Best Narrative Film
The Earth Above
Best Artistic Feature Film
One Sky
Best Artistic Short Film
Eros
Best Educational Film
Spark the Universe In Us
Best Musical Short Film
Visual Eyes Presents ‘Alone’
Best Environmental Film
4993 Feet Under
Best Science Film
Black Holes: Unknown Horizons
Best Live Experience
Cloud Bodies
Best Interactive Experience
Smart Swarm
Inspiration Icon
Recombination
Audience Choice
Recoding Entropia
2024 Official Selections
Short Film
Eros
Eros is a visually stunning animated short that explores friendship and loss through a deep space miner's perilous pilgrimage to honor a fallen comrade.
Producer
Daniel Talek Hambly
Director
Daniel Talek Hambly
Feature Film
Experience Switzerland
Embark on a mesmerizing cinematic journey through Switzerland's breathtaking landscapes, from bustling cities to majestic glaciers, and experience the beauty and serenity of this enchanting country in 'Experience Switzerland: A Visual Journey.'
Producer
Anush Amirkhanian
Director
Urs Anton Wyss
Short Film
Faoladh
A wolf-like guardian spirit protects a 9th-century Irish child and their village from Viking raiders in the immersive film, Faoladh.
Producer
Laura Danaher
Director
Declan Dowling
Feature Film
Hazelnuts: in search of the perfect planet
A pair of greedy squirrels venture beyond Earth in search of the most delicious super hazelnuts, only to discover the surprising truth about the perfect planet.
Producer
3D Emotion, Mediastro Promotion
Director
Stéphane Bertrand and Damien Maugin
Short Film
I Saw The Future
I Saw The Future is an experimental 3D virtual reality film that immerses viewers in the sound and visual matrix of Arthur C. Clarke's visionary predictions about the digital age, transhumanism, and interstellar travel.
Producer
Jeremy Sahel (Da Prod)
Director
François Vautier
Feature Film
IMMERSED: Ocean Wonders
IMMERSED: Ocean Wonders takes audiences on a breathtaking scuba diving adventure through the world's wondrous oceans, immersing them in mesmerizing encounters with marine life set to contemporary music and gentle narration.
Producer
Mark Davidson, David Stevens
Director
Mark Davidson
Short Film
Interrupted trajectories and other transient disequilibrium models
In her second short film, director Lydia Yakonowsky explores sudden and involuntary shifts in projected trajectories, intertwining scattered data point grids with unnerving spirals and mathematical objects that change meaning with the light source, offering a striking commentary on economic forecasting models and periods of major change.
Producer
Lydia Yakonowsky
Director
Lydia Yakonowsky
Short Film
Into the Microverse - Journey through the Amazing World of Microbes
The AI-drone C.A.R.L. embarks on a mission with his ally C.A.R.L.A. to explore how microbes can shape a sustainable future, revealing the wonders of the smallest living creatures.
Producer
Raul Christian Erdossy / Softmachine Immersive Productions and Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Director
Raul Christian Erdossy
Live Experience
James Webb Space Telescope: The Story Unfolds
Join the immersive live planetarium show 'James Webb Space Telescope: The Story Unfolds' as it takes you on a captivating journey through the engineering, science, and breathtaking visuals of the world's most advanced telescope.
Producer
A. David Weigel
Director
Brittany Kundert
Feature Film
Little Major Tom
Teenaged friends Tom and Stella must overcome their fears and embark on a challenging space mission to save Earth from the devastating consequences of a massive hurricane in the exciting fulldome animation, Little Major Tom.
Producer
Softmachine Immersive Distribution GmbH, ABG GmbH, Pixable Studios
Director
Peter Popp
Short Film
Local Dystopias in the Global Utopia
In a sprawling desert, three dystopian worlds collide in 'Local Dystopias in the Global Utopia,' an immersive film that challenges perceptions and blurs the boundaries of architectural imagination and reality.
Producer
Sergey Prokofyev
Director
Sergey Prokofyev
Short Film
Lullaby
Transport yourself to a place of serenity and peace as you experience the soothing harmonies and dreamy visuals of 'Lullaby,' a Ukrainian animated music video made using neural networks.
Producer
Sergey Kozintsev
Director
Sergey Kozintsev
2024 Program Blocks
2024 Pitch Finalists

Under the Kelp Forest
UNDER THE KELP FOREST is a captivating 25-minute short film that immerses audiences in the depths of an underwater ecosystem, shedding light on the grave ecological impact of climate change on kelp forests. With its sensorial and emotional approach, this immersive experience aims to raise awareness of the urgent need to protect these vital marine habitats.
Presented by
Allison Moore


Cosmonaute 360°: Time to FLY
In "Time to Fly - Cosmonaute 360," Captain Bani and the cosmo-explorers embark on a daring mission to the beginning of the century. Their task is to rescue a mysterious egg from a ranch under the cover of darkness. With a donkey ride, a race against a majestic eagle, and a climb to the top of a mountain, they must return the egg to its rightful place before sunrise. Along the way, they capture the beauty of extinct plants and animals through their lenses. This captivating animation showcases adventure, time travel, and the wonders of the cosmos.
Presented by
Jesús Pérez Irigoyen


The Story Teller Machine
The Story Teller Machine utilizes advanced AI technology to transform user input into visually stunning stories. Through its powerful language model and speech recognition algorithms, the machine comprehends the user's initial prompt and generates a captivating narrative accompanied by live-generated images. This groundbreaking storytelling experience pushes the boundaries of creativity, captivating and engaging audiences in new and exciting ways.
Presented by
Patrick Aguilar


The Everything Nothing
"The Everything Nothing" is an immersive live show that takes audiences on a journey through a metaphysical realm called The Everything, where Eve, the light source, ventures into the shadowed realm known as The Nothing. In this ethereal experience, Eve discovers an ancient power that has the potential to save her world. With captivating music, video, and performance, this interactive show explores the balance between darkness and light within ourselves. Join us for a mesmerizing exploration of the human spirit in a fantastical and transformative experience.
Presented by
Tiff Randol


the Arcanum
In "The Arcanum," Glenn Grillo takes us on a multiverse journey through stargates to save our planet from destruction. With domeshows, VR experiences, and an esports archery blockchain PVP game, this immersive world showcases the cutting-edge intersection of technology and art. Glenn Grillo, known as Arcane, is a digital artist who has produced large-scale visuals for themeparks and magic shows in China and Macau. "The Arcanum" promises to be a groundbreaking metaverse entertainment property that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and interactive experiences.
Presented by
Glenn Grillo


Realms Within
Realms Within is an animated exploration into the multidimensional nature of the human experience, inviting viewers to delve into the wisdom of their body temple. This captivating short film sparks curiosity about the possibilities of discovery, healing, and revelation that come from deeply listening within. Through mesmerizing storytelling and innovative animation, Realms Within aims to empower individuals to transform their trauma into sources of strength and live a life of beauty, gratitude, and contentment.
Presented by
Treneti Brown


Nature Speaks
“Nature Speaks” is an enchanting audiovisual experience that immerses viewers in the metaphysical world of nature and wildlife. Through captivating stories of scientific wonders, the film invites audiences to reflect on the profound intelligence of nature and our role in preserving its delicate balance. With mesmerizing original art and animation by visionary artist Simon Haiduk, Nature Speaks aims to transport viewers into a realm of wonder and connection, through audiovisual synchronization, stimulating their senses and leaving them in awe.
Presented by
Simon Haiduk


Hidden Temples
"Hidden Temples: Vol. 1 Japan" takes viewers on a transformative journey through the ancient Shikoku pilgrimage in Japan. Following the footsteps of the legendary Grand Master Monk, Kukai, one XR producer embarks on a 1,200km hike to visit 88 temples. Through immersive VR footage, animations, poetry, and music, this fulldome art documentary explores themes of enlightenment, respect for nature, and the merging of past and future. It invites audiences to rediscover their own greatness and experience a state of liberation and self-discovery. A captivating exploration of spirituality and human potential.
Presented by
Nada from IMURSE


Cosmogenesis: The Story of Us
"Cosmogenesis: The Story of Us" is a groundbreaking new media production that combines cosmology, digital immersive media, and performance art. This innovative project aims to address the issues of racism and climate change anxiety in young people by using storytelling as a powerful tool to inspire hope, agency, and a sense of belonging. Through a captivating fusion of arts and sciences, Cosmogenesis explores the magic of theater and planetary science, inviting audiences to embark on an immersive journey of discovery and connection.
Presented by
Rebecca Sophia Strong


After You
After a tragic elevator crash claims the lives of six individuals, "After You" takes us on a thought-provoking journey through their diverse afterlives. From utopia to dystopia and even being reincarnated as part of the internet, the film poses the ultimate question: what truly awaits us after death? This experimental short delves into the profound existential mysteries that surround our mortal existence.
Presented by
Sade Korbieh

Meet the 2024 Jury
Tasked with the monumental job of reviewing more than 100 hours of content, our jury consists of esteemed professionals from various corners of the world. With their unparalleled expertise and diverse viewpoints, they are dedicated to ensuring a rigorous and equitable evaluation process. We extend our deepest gratitude to each juror for their commitment and contribution, making this festival a remarkable journey of discovery and excellence.
Film Jury

Carla Johns
Carla loves sharing the skies with the Boulder community through her work at Fiske as the Membership, Marketing & Digital Strategy Manager. Prior to joining the team at Fiske, Carla was a STEM Informal Science Educator at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where she was responsible for the day-to-day operations of NASA’s Museum Alliance, a volunteer membership network of informal science educators at over 600 institutions in the U.S.
She also developed and led planetarium presentations and STEM curriculums for after school programs, science clubs, libraries, camps, and scouting groups. In addition to her work at JPL, she worked as a Telescope Demonstrator at Griffith Observatory and a 60-inch and 100-inch Telescope Operator at the historic Mt. Wilson Observatory.

Mark Petersen
Mark Collins Petersen is president and founder of Loch Ness Productions. He is a long-time dome show producer, as well as broadcast and online videos. He has more than four decades of experience as a soundtrack producer, with more than 60 shows to his credit, and a space music composer under the name Geodesium, with 16 albums of original music in release.
Mark has collaborated with producers around the world, including Albedo Fulldome, Mediendome Kiel, Ogrefish FilmProduktions, and Dome3D to bring their work to worldwide audiences. He also composed and recorded original music for two fulldome ride films, SpacePark360: Geodesium Edition and SpacePark360: Infinity. Mark currently oversees distribution of dozens of fulldome videos through Loch Ness Productions and its streaming service FULLDOME OnDemand.
Together with Carolyn Collins Petersen, Mark was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Fulldome by Dome Fest West in 2022. Read more about Mark at: https://www.lochnessproductions.com/lnpages/mcp.html

Pedro Zaz
Pedro Zaz is a Portuguese New-Media artist and VJ, specializing in Fulldome and video projection mapping. He co-founded the international collective United VJs, recognized for creatively integrating digital arts through video projection mapping, Fulldome Projection, software programming, sound, and video art. United VJs, headquartered in São Paulo with partners across South America, Asia, the US, and Europe, has earned global acclaim for its innovative performances.
In addition to his artistic endeavours, Pedro Zaz co-founded VJ University, an educational platform providing specialized training in art and technology for VJs and visual artists worldwide.
Zaz's significant contributions extend to the Fulldome and Immersive Cinema fields. He plays a pivotal role as one of the main directors and a key organizer of the Immersive Cinema festival, Fulldome UK. His innovation in Fulldome technology includes co-creating influential software tools like Blendy Dome VJ, Blendy 360 CAM, and FDVJ, widely used for content creation and VJing in dome environments.

Feather Miigwan
Aanii! Feather Miigwan, a Native American transdisciplinary artist from the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, combines art, culture, and technology in her work. She is passionate about immersive media, STEAM education, Indigenous perspectives, sustainability, and empowering women in science and technology. Miigwan's work nurtures humanity through an Indigenous Futurist lens.
Miigwan's work is deeply influenced by the seven generations theory, a principle from their culture that emphasizes the importance of considering the impact of one's decisions on the next seven generations. This perspective drives Miigwan to leverage the exciting opportunities within their fields to effect meaningful change.
In their free time, Miigwan finds joy in being close to water and trees, indulging in art in all its forms—whether it be films, galleries, or performances. Combining travel, nature, and art represents Miigwan's ideal state of happiness, reflecting a deep connection to their surroundings and a passion for exploration and discovery.

Carolyn Collins Petersen
Carolyn Collins Petersen is CEO of Loch Ness Productions, responsible for show development, writing, and outreach.
She is an award-winning science writer whose work appears in fulldome shows, online videos for MIT's Haystack Observatory and DarkSky International, podcasts for the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, science exhibits for museums in the U.S. and China, the online science magazine Universe Today, and in 8 astronomy and space-science books.
She has created shows for major planetaria and planetarium/fulldome companies across the U.S. She is Director Emeritus for IMERSA, and was responsible for show selection and planning for several IMERSA meetings. She and Mark served as judges for DomeFest West in 2022 and for the Jena Fulldome Festival in 2012.
Together with Mark C. Petersen, Carolyn was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Fulldome by Dome Fest West in 2022. Read more about her work at: https://www.lochnessproductions.com/lnpages/ccp.htm
Live Performance & Interactive Experience Jury

Andrew Merkin
Overseeing creative direction for immersive experiences and games for Cosm, Andy directs and produces stories and designs games for the comprehensive large format pipeline.
He serves as an adjunct professor/speaker in transmedia strategy and production across the world including USC, UCLA, Art Center, Harvard Business School, and professional conferences such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, and Sundance Film Festival. His award-winning projects include Cannes Lions, SXSW Interactive Awards, D&AD Gold Pencils, and the 2006 Time Person of the Year.
Andy holds an MS from MIT in transmedia production management, an MBA from HEC-Paris in creative management, and an AB with Honors from Rollins College. A true believer that interesting storytellers have led interesting lives, Andy’s previous work experience includes development and production for Sony Pictures Television, training entrepreneurs in the Peace Corps in Bangladesh, performing improv, and educating students in zoo keeping for Busch Gardens.

Oana Jones
Oana Jones is a Director, Producer and Science Communicator. Her work includes exhibition design, documentary filmmaking and science communication and has been featured in Planetariums, galleries, virtual reality, augmented reality and even onto buildings for large events.
She opened and managed the Perpetual Guardian Planetarium in Dunedin’s Otago Museum for almost seven years and in that time has developed twelve planetarium shows, four funded digital exhibitions and dozens of museum programmes. Currently she’s a lecturer in Game Art and Animation at New Zealand’s University of Canterbury and her research explores immersive exhibition design and the intersection between digital and physical interaction.
Oana is the Oceania board member for the International Planetarium Society and works actively within the Australasian Planetarium Society to promote collaboration and innovation between planetariums and science centres in the region.

Kelon Cen
Kelon Cen is an animation director, creative technologist, and founder of IMUU artist collective. He has explored various media forms, from traditional painting to animation and programming. He focuses on crafting immersive narrative experiences using VR, WebXR, fulldome, and real-time rendering.
His works have graced numerous festivals, such as the Japan Media Arts Festivals, Ars Electronica, FILE São Paulo, Jena Fulldome Festival, Animamix Biennale, etc. Kelon holds an MFA in experimental animation from CalArts.