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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

Friday, May 3, 2024 at 5:30:00 PM UTC

Feature Film

Mars: The Ultimate Voyage

Mars: The Ultimate Voyage takes viewers on a thrilling 2-year journey to Mars, exploring the challenges and triumphs of astronauts as they navigate deep space with creativity, communication, and collaboration.

Producer

Todd Boyette, Ph.D., Denise Young, Ph.D., Sally Brummel, Jay Heinz, Michele Kloda, Holly Menninger

Director

Sally Brummel and Ben Fox

Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 6:00:00 PM UTC

Feature Film

Moonbase: The Next Step

The story of Moonbase: The Next Step takes us on a thrilling journey of human endeavor, pushing scientific and technological limits as we explore the hostile and awe-inspiring lunar environment in this 360 Fulldome format film.

Producer

Simon Clarke, Jon Grafton, Ruth Coalson

Director

Graham Watts

Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 4:30:00 PM UTC

Feature Film

One Sky

One Sky is a captivating collection of short films that explores constellations, astronomical instruments, and scientific knowledge from diverse cultures, presented in an original and engaging way with stunning visuals and international artists.

Producer

One Sky Project, SG360, TMT, ‘Imiloa, California Academy of Sciences, and the U.S. National Science Foundation National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory

Director

Sebastien Gauthier

Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10:30:00 PM UTC

Student Film, Short Film

Phantom Eye

Phantom Eye is a thought-provoking exploration of the lingering effects of eye trauma amidst social unrest, where the removal of an eye gives birth to phantom pain and haunting hallucinations.

Producer

Carlos Hurtado Múnera

Director

Carlos Hurtado Múnera

Friday, May 3, 2024 at 2:30:00 AM UTC

Short Film

Recoding Entropia

Amidst infinite space and unfathomable time, an immense tetrahedron scatters to deliver a mysterious message, questioning the limits of humanity and the essence of existence.

Producer

Jeremy Sahel (Da Prod)

Director

François Vautier

Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 2:30:00 AM UTC

Feature Film

Recombination: The Fulldome Journey

Recombination: The Fulldome Journey is an immersive, abstract exploration through space, time, music, and mathematics, revealing captivating landscapes and realities that exist within the digital space.

Producer

Julius Horsthuis

Director

Julius Horsthuis

Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 4:45:00 AM UTC

Live Experience

Reggie Watts - Live in 360 at Wisdome.LA

A completely improvised musical comedy performance with live 360 fulldome visual projections takes audiences on a unique and immersive journey of hilarity and musical genius.

Producer

Michael Strauss and Reggie Watts

Director

Michael Strauss and Reggie Watts

Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10:30:00 PM UTC

Student Film

Roundtrip Animation

A mesmerizing exploration of cultural connections and the interplay between old and new media, as students from Dallas and Brussels unite to bring a circle of animation to life in Roundtrip Animation.

Producer

experimenta.l. animation lab

Director

Christine Veras and Guido Devadder

Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 12:00:00 AM UTC

Short Film

Sida Tsoatsoas: Our Beginning

A cinematic full dome film that immerses audiences in the enchanting landscapes of the Kalahari while exploring the unique storytelling of the ǂKhomani people and the global sense of Ubuntu.

Producer

Daniel Cunnama, Sally Macfarlane

Director

Telmo dos Reis

Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 4:45:00 AM UTC

Live Experience

Skysong

Inspired by celestial wonders and the timeless human experience, Skysong is a captivating multimedia work that combines live musical performance with video, taking audiences on a mesmerizing journey through space and sound.

Producer

David Farrell

Director

David Farrell

Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 8:30:00 PM UTC

Interactive Experience

Smart Swarm

Smart Swarm is an interactive underwater adventure where players must coordinate and cooperate as a school of fish to survive and outsmart predators in a test of collective intelligence.

Producer

Kinetarium

Director

Kinetarium

Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 4:30:00 PM UTC

Feature Film

Sounds of the Ocean: A Mindful Underwater Journey

The award-winning immersive experience, 'Sounds of the Ocean: A Mindful Underwater Journey,' combines the captivating sounds of whales & dolphins, original music, and stunning visuals to guide audiences on a transformative exploration of ocean life and inspire action for its protection.

Producer

Joshua Sam Miller, Elise Lein

Director

Joshua Sam Miller and Elise Lein

2024 Program Blocks

2024 Pitch Finalists

Under the Kelp Forest

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

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

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

"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

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

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

“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

"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

"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 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
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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.

 

https://www.colorado.edu/fiske/carla-johns

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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

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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.

https://colors-creation.com/creator/pedro-zaz-unitedvjs/

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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.

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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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