Deadline: 7-Aug-23
Applications are now open for the 6th edition of the New Dimensions Lab that brings together diverse interdisciplinary African artists to develop stories told through creative technology alongside leading industry mentors.
The New Dimensions Lab is proudly presented by Electric South and supported by the Ford Foundation and the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa.
The Lab takes place over the course of a week in South Africa, where artists engage in discussions and masterclasses, and workshop their creative projects.
For the 6th edition, they will be inviting some mentors to cover responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in the creation of XR work.
Successful applicants are curious and collaborative, they are experimental in their approach and strive for excellence in their execution.
Electric South fully covers travel, visa costs, accommodation and meals for participants and three of the participants will be granted a financial contribution towards the production of their work after the Lab.
They are very open to many different creative mediums, from fine arts to filmmaking to game design to photography, theatre, and more.
About the Lab
- The lab is for African artists working at an advanced level in their creative practice, who want to learn, experiment, play and create at the intersection of storytelling and technology.
- You do not need to be technically proficient but need a healthy dose of enthusiasm for technology and a willingness to undergo a steep learning curve in your technical knowledge.
- The lab is geared toward supporting artists in residence to develop their project concept, the outcome being a completed pitch deck which can be used to mobilise further resources.
Project Ideas Must:
- Be non-fiction stories. They welcome creative interpretation of documentaries and fiction/documentary hybrids.
- Use immersive technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR). This could include technologies and approaches such as:
- Volumetric Capture, Photogrammetry,
- Artificial intelligence,
- Game Engines, World Building,
- 360 Film, Animation,
- Projection Mapping,
- Hybrid forms, and beyond.
What they will do?
- Provide dedicated, one-on-one support from onsite immersive storytelling advisors and creative technologists.
- Provide the environment in which to explore and experiment in immersive storytelling tools.
- Provide seven days in residence in South Africa in October 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must:
- Be citizens or permanent residents of an African country;
- Currently living on the African continent (at least 8 months a year);
- Be accomplished in an artistic field. Any creative discipline is welcome. Past applicants have experience in: documentary and fiction film, theatre, performance & visual arts, fashion, photography, writing, design, creative technology and game development;
- Be able to depart from and return to an airport in an African country.
For more information, visit Electric South.