Immerse yourself! This year’s Congress is in Tokyo, one of the world’s coolest cities, and through the generous support of host broadcaster NHK you’ll be immersed in unforgettable experiences, dazzling technology and, as always, the highest quality content. Read more >>
Additional speakers and sessions will be added in the coming weeks.
Start your trip to Japan right with a free city tour to Sensouji Temple (Asakusa) or teamLab Planets TOKYO before Congress officially opens. Learn More & Book
These exceptional city tours are generously supported by Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Special Exhibit Zone A, 1st Floor
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
NINJABOYS: Quest for the Cosmic Front, Episode 1: Friends in the Solar System
D: Haruna Kimura, NHK, Japan
Three ninja friends, Rantaro, Kirimaru and Shibei, from a Japanese popular anime show embark on an adventure into space and find out about the cosmos! This fun science show features spectacular space images recreated with 4K CGI using the latest astronomical data.
Dome Theatre Lobby, 7th floor
Enjoy a selection of VR experiences.
Age-Old Cities VR
Ubisoft, France
Journey from Palmyra to Mosul to visit six iconic monuments are brought to life as you walk through the ancient sites and feel the splendor of places that are a global duty to preserve.
The Antarctica Experience
Whitespark Productions, Australia
Experience a day in the life of Antarctic scientists as they research this mysterious continent.
Capturing the Universe
D: Takumi Hisaizumi, NHK, Japan
"I want to catch a star." A young physicist pursues his childhood dream and endevours to reveal the unknown structures of archaeological sites using cosmic ray detectors.
Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece
Ubisoft, France
Embark on any of 30 guided tours of Ancient Greece, curated by historians and led by charismatic characters, in the educational mode of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Fukushima, the Evacuation Area
NHK, Japan
Some areas of Fukushima remain in the difficult-to-return zone of radioactive contamination, but this experience give you access to the neighborhood, the nature and what was left behind.
Hiroshima's Dome
NHK, Japan
A survivor tells their story about the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima 74 years ago.
Inside Tumucumaque
D: Ina Krüger, Patrik de Jong, Interactive Media Foundation, Germany
Travel to Tumucumaque in the midst of the Brazilian rainforest to explore more than 400 hectares of virtual rainforest filled with authentic plants, exotic animals and a diverse landscape.
Move On Cycling VR, Fly over Pompei Ruins
D: Takumi Hisaizumi, NHK, Japan
Take a bike tour to Pompeii and enjoy an aerial view of the ancient Roman city. You choose the route and an audio guide provides historical insights.
Notre Dame VR Experience
Ubisoft, France
Discover, or rediscover, this architectural jewel that has been closed to the public since the dramatic fire of April 2019 in this virtual tour based on the 3D model developed for the game Assassin’s Creed Unity.
We Are Stars
NSC Creative, UK
Connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe, in this companion piece to Wednesday's Dome screening.
Saturn, 7th floor
We all know the birth of great productions begins with impassioned conversations. Pioneers on the cutting edge of some of the hottest topics in technology today share the very latest buzz in their respective fields and you’re invited to join them in round-table discussions hosted by the presenters and producers of some of the world’s top science programs. Don’t miss this unique opportunity as sparks fly, thoughts run wild and the next big productions are born.
Pre-registration required. Closed to media.
Session Producer
Maia Krall Fry, Head of Knowledge & Creative Communities, Wellcome (UK)
Maia Krall Fry is an independent producer/director, having moved from fiction film into science documentaries after studying Earth Sciences. Recent independent doc commissions include shorts for BBC Four and Guardian Documentaries. These projects are produced alongside her full-time work on longform content at Windfall Films. Previous independent work, including the feature film Ebony Road, has been supported by Film 4, The Guardian, the BFI, and BBC. Targeting her experience to entertaining fiction and academia was a conscious decision to break into factual content production with the widest applicable expertise. In 2015, Maia attended WCSFP as part of the Wellcome Trust Mentoring Program for Emerging Talent. In 2016 and 2017, as session producer of The Ideas Salon. She was named as a Broadcast Magazine Hotshot in 2017.
Venus, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Speaker
Marita Huebinger, Senior Commissioning Editor for Science Documentaries, ZDF/ARTE (Germany)
Marita Huebinger studied german literature, bibliology and comparative linguistics from 1978 to 1985. From 1985 on she has been working for ZDF, Hessischer Rundfunk, Südwestfunk, 3sat and ARTE. Her main focus are cultural and scientific topics. She was responsible for Kulturzeit/3sat, Volle Kanne/ZDF, Lesen and Abenteuer Wissen/ZDF. Since May 2011, she has served as senior commissioning editor for science and head of ZDF department Wissen/ARTE.
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
Britain’s top decision makers talk about one of the biggest factual markets on the planet and what they’re looking for in content.
Innovation Hall, 7th floor
Come experience 8K like you've never seen it before. Thanks to NHK, this is an opportunity to not just experience 8K but 8K in virtual reality! And if you're interested in 8K, don't miss the 8K Masterclass on Tuesday, December 3 at 11:15 a.m. in Uranus.
2:00 PM, 4:00 PM
8K: Compilation film (40 min)
This showcase of NHK’s latest 8K films offer a new way of storytelling, creating ultimate immersive viewing experience. Enjoy a sky-high view of the Tibetan Plateau in magnificently brilliant colors or dive into the crystalline waters of the Mexican Cenote caves. See how these ultra high definition images can unlock a Mayan mystery of a lost jade mask or tell an epic story of Okavango through the eyes of indigenous river people in its full aesthetic glory.
3:00 PM, 5:00 PM
8K:VR: Aoi –Sackanaction and Tokyo Victory
The world's first content for 8K:VR theatre, Aoi –Sackanaction presents a live performance by Japanese band Sackanaction (complete with extravagant laser show) that makes it feel like the band is in front of you without the use of head-mounted display.
Created in 2016, Tokyo Victory was the world's first 8K motion ride, which takes viewers on a tour of the Tokyo skyline to the soundtrack of Southern All Stars's hit song "Tokyo Victory." Produced by NHK Enterprises and NHK Technologies, with Recochoku Labs and WONDER VISION TECHNO LABORATORY.
3:30 PM
8K:VR: Alice and the World of Sorrow
This story of a girl escaping Tokyo and the complexities of society illustrates the possibilities for immersive environments as ultra-high definition entertainment. Created in 2018, the project was presented at Ars Electronica Festival, as a Beyond the Frame: 8K Future Projects, a joint research project between the Ars Electronica Futurelab and NHK.
3:30 PM
8K: Starry Skies in the Uyuni Salt Flat
When the wind stops the surface of the salt flat turns into a glassy mirror, reflecting the stars and the galaxy. This 8K-VR version will take you on the lake and surround you with stars from ceiling to floor.
Saturn, 7th floor
We all know the birth of great productions begins with impassioned conversations. Pioneers on the cutting edge of some of the hottest topics in technology today share the very latest buzz in their respective fields and you’re invited to join them in round-table discussions hosted by the presenters and producers of some of the world’s top science programs. Don’t miss this unique opportunity as sparks fly, thoughts run wild and the next big productions are born.
Pre-registration required. Closed to media.
Session Producer
Maia Krall Fry, Head of Knowledge & Creative Communities, Wellcome (UK)
Maia Krall Fry is an independent producer/director, having moved from fiction film into science documentaries after studying Earth Sciences. Recent independent doc commissions include shorts for BBC Four and Guardian Documentaries. These projects are produced alongside her full-time work on longform content at Windfall Films. Previous independent work, including the feature film Ebony Road, has been supported by Film 4, The Guardian, the BFI, and BBC. Targeting her experience to entertaining fiction and academia was a conscious decision to break into factual content production with the widest applicable expertise. In 2015, Maia attended WCSFP as part of the Wellcome Trust Mentoring Program for Emerging Talent. In 2016 and 2017, as session producer of The Ideas Salon. She was named as a Broadcast Magazine Hotshot in 2017.
Venus, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Uranus, 7th floor
The essential guide for all first-time attendees: what to expect from Congress and how to get the most out of it! This is your chance to meet broadcasters, producers and distributors, hear success stories from past events, and learn valuable tips, tricks and tactics for getting the most out of the next few days.
Session Producer
Clare Birks, CEO, Oxford Scientific Films (UK)
Clare Birks has spent her career working in the production, co-production and distribution business. She has been running Oxford Scientific Films since 2004 transforming the business into a company with a reputation for creative excellence and innovation combined with commercial acumen. OSF’s output has increased considerably and the range of program has expanded beyond natural history to include science, history, archaeology, arts and culture, and most recently documentaries. Her experience of the international market has enabled OSF to produce award-winning high-end series such as Richard Hammond’s Miracles of Nature and Wild Weather in co-production with Terra Mater Factual Studios. Giant screen experience followed with Meerkats 3D and Pandas: The Journey Home both for National Geographic and Sky. New projects include high-end natural history series with the BBC, Terra Mater, ABC, PBS and CJ E&M Korea.
Session Producer & Moderator
Lucinda Axelsson, Executive Producer, Oxford Scientific Films (UK)
Lucinda Axelsson is a multi-award winning executive producer with Oxford Scientific Films, and former BBC Commissioning Editor and BBC NHU producer. She executive produced Serengeti a pioneering wildlife-meets-drama series for Discovery and the BBC where she created the complex interwoven storylines that are it's hallmark.
As a series producer Lucinda was responsible for co-creating the Emmy Award–winning Meerkat Manor with OSF, where for the first time the dramatic narrative techniques of the soap opera were used to reveal the intricate social lives of animals.
She breathed new life in the Blue Chip landmark space with highly rated series on Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, Patagonia, Mexico, Thailand and Alaska. She commissioned highly rated shows including Spy in the Wild, Snow Chick and Pets Wild at Heart for JDP, the BAFTA-nominated Attenborough's Life that Glows, and Tribes, Predators and Me , featuring Gordon Buchanan with the NHU.
Speaker
Claudia Zenkert, Head of Science and Nature, taglicht media Film- und Fernsehproduktion GmbH (Germany)
Dr. Claudia Zenkert is a multi-award-winning producer and Head of Science and Nature at taglicht media. She is responsible for the development and financing of documentary series, one-offs and formats for the German and international market. Within taglicht media’s portfolio, Claudia is mainly focused on science, natural history and the set-up and development of a new scripted department. For taglicht media, Claudia produced the award-winning Naked Mole Rat – Nature’s Weirdest Superhero (ZDF/arte, Nat Geo Channels, Smithsonian Channel) and Mystery in Yellowstone (arte, WDR, Smithsonian Channel) among others. Since the beginning of 2018, Claudia is part of the Management Board focusing on strategic development and financing.
Speaker
Joseph Maxwell, Head of Documentaries, SBS (Australia)
Joseph Maxwell is head of Documentaries for SBS, Australia. Joseph started at SBS as Commissioning Editor in January 2012. Prior to this, Joseph developed, directed and produced high end prime time documentaries for most of the major broadcasters in Britain. He also set up and ran his own production company, securing major international co-productions in France and USA. In April 2016, Joseph became Head of Documentaries at SBS.
Venus, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
Museums and science centres from around the world, including Japan, present their future plans and reach out to factual producers for an entirely new type of content—the museum exhibit. This is an exciting match making opportunity to collaborate. Don’t miss out!
Session Producer
Yuri Sudo, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)
Yuri is the Senior Producer of the Unit focusing on Non-linear Content Development and creating New Media Services on Emerging Media Platforms. Prior to that, he was Senior Producer to the International Co-Productions Team at NHK, with assignments as developing and coordinating various international co-production projects, many of which winning various awards and prizes. Yuri has over 20 years of directing/producing experience at the in-house production team of the network, credited for the development of nationally renowned documentary series and new history formats.
Session Producer
Yuta Tanimura, Manager of Learning and Collaboration Development Division, Miraikan - National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Japan)
Yuta Tanimura studied biochemistry and engineering at Kyusyu University (1996-2002) and obtained his Master degree in Engineering. In 2002, Mr. Tanimura started to work at Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, Japan, as a Science Communicator.
He was Secretary General of Japan Science Museum Association from 2014-2019. From 2015-2016, Mr. Tanimura joined the ESOF 2016 Delivery team in Manchester, UK. He then returned to Miraikan in 2016 and took the position of Manager of Learning and Collaboration Development Division, to aid in delivering the Science Center World Summit in 2017 and TICAD7 Official Pre-Event –ICREP-NTDs International Symposium in 2019.
Mr. Tanimura is active in promoting science communication and STEAM programmes in collaboration with science centres, academia, and schools.
Speaker
Maholo Uchida, Curator, Miraikan - National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Japan)
Maholo Uchida started her career as a new media art curator and was appointed to Miraikan in 2002. After a year professional internship at MoMA, sent from Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs, she moved back as a . She curated several exhibitions at Miraikan which bridge art and science including collaborative projects on symbol exhibit “Geo-Cosmos” with internationally well known artists like Jeff Mills, Bjork. She also produces several projects on Japanese manufacturing culture and innovative technologies as well as Humanoid Robot area.
She also works internationally as a guest curator like “AI – More than Human” at Barbican Center, London, ""Anofuku"" at Masoin de le culture du Japon, Pairs.
Speaker
Majed Z. Samman, Head of Performing Arts, Ithra, King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Saudi Arabia)
Majed Z. Samman is the Head of Performing Arts (Theatre & Cinema) at Ithra. Over the span of Majed’s career with Saudi Aramco, he has held multiple positions, including Digital Media Lead, Head of Energy Exhibit and Exhibit Technologies Supervisor. Prior to this, Majed held positions as the Head of Support at AlAhli Takaful Company, Project Manager and Technology Consultant at PTS Consulting and System Administrator at the Embassy of Portugal in Tokyo. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Engineering from the Nippon Institute of Technology in Japan and a diploma in Advanced Public Relation and Communication from Michigan State University. Majed is a native Arabic speaker and is fluent in both English and Japanese.
Speaker
Roei Amit, Head of Digital Productions, Réunion des Musées Nationaux Grand Palais (France)
Roei Amit is head of Digital at the RMN-GP, RMN - Grand Palais, in support of the digital strategy, digital production and distribution; multimedia, digital mediation, communication and media assets.
Roei is the former head of Multimedia Publishing at INA, French Audiovisual National Institute and has a PhD in Social Science and Philosophy, EHESS; Professor for Digital and Multimedia.
Speaker
Ulrich Kernbach, Museum Director, Exhibitions and Collections, Deutsches Museum (Germany)
Ulrich Kernbach studied chemistry at the Freie Universität Berlin where he received his diploma in 1991 and his Dr. rer. nat. in 1995. From 1996 to 1997, he was a postdoctoral research fellow in the Marie Curie Mobility of Researchers Programme of the European Commission at the Ecole National Supérieure de Chimie de Paris (ENSCP).
He joined the Deutsches Museum in Munich in 1997 where he was in charge of coordinating European projects and international cooperation. Since 2010, he is the Director of Exhibitions and Collections at the Deutsches Museum.
Venus, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Create Your Future, 3rd floor & Explore the Frontiers, 5th floor
Congress members have exclusive access to the permanent collection spaces at the Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.
Symbol Zone, 1st floor
Welcome to Congress '19! As Tokyo prepares for the 2020 Olympics, the city continues to live up to its reputation as a hub for technological advancements and community. Join friends, influencers, and fellow creators as we celebrate the love of factual at the Miraikan, the home of the impressive Geo-Cosmos (the world's first globe-like display for the visualization of live scientific data that spans 6 metres in diameter and is made up of +10 million pixels!) As we open the Congress, the Geo-Cosmos, alongside of a very special sake barrel ceremony will kick off this year's event in style!
Hosted by NHK in partnership with the Miraikan.
Special Exhibit Zone A, 1st floor
Special Exhibit Zone B, 1st floor
Host Allie Sakakibara from Discovery Japan will take us on a round-the-world tour of the hottest and most innovative programs, latest trends and exciting new formats. Along the way get ready for some surprise guests and Tokyo twists to a session unlike any other you’ve seen before.
Session Producer
Yoko Imai, Executive Producer, NHK Enterprises (Japan)
Yoko joined NHK as a producer and worked in various fields including factual reality, news and magazine programs, and documentary series developed for international co-production. Later she joined the acquisition team as a buyer in charge of documentary and factual series. Recently she has been working on international collaboration projects for NHK's 4K/8K channels.
Session Producer
Takehiro Asai, Executive Producer, NHK (Japan)
Takehiro Asai joined NHK’s Special Contents Development Center and produced numerous documentary programs about science and social issues. His credits include Origins of Land (a co-production with CuriosityStream), Bodypedia, The Body – Miracles of Our Inner Social Networks (a co-production with S4C, CuriosityStream, Al Arabiya Channel, Autentic, Mona Lisa/France Televisions, and NFB).
Speaker
Allie Sakakibara, Senior Manager of Product Strategy & Growth, Discovery (Japan)
Allie Sakakibara is an online marketing guru based in Tokyo. She works as a Senior Manager of Product Strategy & Growth at Discovery Japan, leading the digital revolution to market the brand to a fresh, new audience. She is also the executive producer and host of Discovery's online Edutainment show Dbox on Discovery Japan's YouTube channel, which she helped grow from 10 million to 55 million total views in three months. Before joining the broadcasting business, Allie helped YouTube creators and brands build their businesses on YouTube as a partner manager at Google. When she isn't busy helping brands shine on social media, Allie enjoys using her English-Japanese skills to host events as a bilingual MC.
Dome Theatre Lobby, 7th floor
Enjoy a selection of VR experiences.
Age-Old Cities VR
Ubisoft, France
Journey from Palmyra to Mosul to visit six iconic monuments are brought to life as you walk through the ancient sites and feel the splendor of places that are a global duty to preserve.
The Antarctica Experience
Whitespark Productions, Australia
Experience a day in the life of Antarctic scientists as they research this mysterious continent.
Capturing the Universe
D: Takumi Hisaizumi, NHK, Japan
"I want to catch a star." A young physicist pursues his childhood dream and endevours to reveal the unknown structures of archaeological sites using cosmic ray detectors.
Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece
Ubisoft, France
Embark on any of 30 guided tours of Ancient Greece, curated by historians and led by charismatic characters, in the educational mode of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Fukushima, the Evacuation Area
NHK, Japan
Some areas of Fukushima remain in the difficult-to-return zone of radioactive contamination, but this experience give you access to the neighborhood, the nature and what was left behind.
Hiroshima's Dome
NHK, Japan
A survivor tells their story about the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima 74 years ago.
Inside Tumucumaque
D: Ina Krüger, Patrik de Jong, Interactive Media Foundation, Germany
Travel to Tumucumaque in the midst of the Brazilian rainforest to explore more than 400 hectares of virtual rainforest filled with authentic plants, exotic animals and a diverse landscape.
Move On Cycling VR, Fly over Pompei Ruins
D: Takumi Hisaizumi, NHK, Japan
Take a bike tour to Pompeii and enjoy an aerial view of the ancient Roman city. You choose the route and an audio guide provides historical insights.
Notre Dame VR Experience
Ubisoft, France
Discover, or rediscover, this architectural jewel that has been closed to the public since the dramatic fire of April 2019 in this virtual tour based on the 3D model developed for the game Assassin’s Creed Unity.
We Are Stars
NSC Creative, UK
Connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe, in this companion piece to Wednesday's Dome screening.
Saturn, 7th floor
The entire world watched in horror as one of France’s greatest landmarks was almost destroyed by fire. We’ll explore how several documentaries are using very different techniques—from incredible motion capture technology to exclusive access and docu-drama—to tell the story of Notre Dame from its historic construction, its brush with disaster and the efforts to rebuild and restore.
Session Producer
Fabrice Esteve, Producer, YUZU Productions (France)
Fabrice Esteve is an experienced French independent producer with a strong track record in international co-productions. Since 2012, he's served as head YUZU Productions together with Christian Popp. In seven years, YUZU Productions produced more than 30 hours of documentaries, most of them in international co-productions, with broadcasters such as ARTE, France Télévisions, Smithsonian Networks, Showtime, CBC, ZDF, CCTV10, Al Jazeera Networks, RTS, RTBF, VRT, SVT, TVC, TVE, YLE, S4C, TG4, UR, RTP, Ceska Televise, and ERT.
Recent productions include Microbiota: The Fabulous Power of the Gut, Weed, Greed and Legalization, The Race to Dope, Brains in Danger, Cyborgs Among Us, Becoming Cary Grant, Free to Run (theatrical), The E-Waste Tragedy, and The Bloody Truth. Between 1994 and 2011, he worked at Tele Images, VM Group, Ampersand, Gedeon Programmes, and Docside (now Zed).
Fabrice is one of the co-founders and the current president of the French Association Science & Television gathering 53 production companies, and of the Pariscience International Film Festival.
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
Mars 1001
P: Robin Sip and Mirage3D, with Evans & Sutherland Corporation
Space reporter Miles O’Brien guides you through the first human mission to Mars—a daring 1000-day mission to fly an international crew to the red planet and return them safely to Earth.
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
In a lively and entertaining new format, teams of high-profile panelists representing broadcasters, digital platforms and producers will reveal and defend the ideas, content and technology that they believe will create the biggest industry and production trends for 2020 and beyond.
Scrutinized by rival teams, the audience, and moderator/inquisitor-in-chief Sam Barcroft, who will come up with the most accurate insights and which ideas will be consigned to the Betamax bin of doom? We’ll get it all on the record and find out at next year’s Congress!
Session Producer
Dan Kendall, Creative Director, Windfall Films (UK)
Dan Kendall has a reputation for delivering award-winning, high impact, television for global audiences. Since joining Windfall Films in 2016, he has been a key figure in the company’s creative growth – helping devise and produce hit returnable formats for the US and international markets, series and singles for the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK, and Windfall’s first ever project for an IMAX feature.
With over 20 years production experience, his track record features awards and ratings success across many genres; from History Channel’s Emmy-nominated drama based “mega-documentary” Mankind: The Story of All of Us, CBC’s Lost Secrets of the Pyramid (winner: Canadian Screen Award), Channel 4’s headline grabbing live events Surgery Live (winner: Broadcast Digital Award, nominated Banff Rockie Award), Drugs Live: Cannabis on Trial (winner: AIB Science Award) to BBC Two’s history of the Web, The Virtual Revolution (winner: International Digital EMMY, BAFTA New Media Award).
Mercury, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Uranus, 7th floor
Experienced 8K producers will discuss the unique opportunities and challenges of this impressive format, show the power of the imagery and share practical tips on how post-production can be just as affordable, easy and quick as 2K.
Session Producer
Yuri Sudo, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)
Yuri is the Senior Producer of the Unit focusing on Non-linear Content Development and creating New Media Services on Emerging Media Platforms. Prior to that, he was Senior Producer to the International Co-Productions Team at NHK, with assignments as developing and coordinating various international co-production projects, many of which winning various awards and prizes. Yuri has over 20 years of directing/producing experience at the in-house production team of the network, credited for the development of nationally renowned documentary series and new history formats.
Speaker
Takeshi Shibasaki, Senior Producer, Science Programs Division, NHK (Japan)
Since Takeshi Shibasaki joined NHK in 1997 he has worked on programs about science, nature and the environment. As a highly experienced mountain climber, he has put his outdoor experience to good use when researching and shooting the Arctic Ocean, the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, alpine glaciers and other places where the environment is changing. His directing and producing credits include 3D Planet Live, Total Solar Eclipse, Crumbling Earth, Deep-Sea Exploration: Tracing the Birth of Life and The Sea of Zipang, as well as award-winning The Arctic Circle, which was co-produced by NHK, Telepool GmbH and National Film Board of Canada, in association with Discovery Channel Canada, and Peabody Award–winning Surviving the Tsunami. Shibasaki is now the editor of the weekly science program Cosmic Front, actively making use of 4K/8K and VR technology encompassing planetarium and game use. He is also in charge of the 4K-UHD Live Transmission from Antarctica.
Immersive Studio, 7th floor
King Tutankhamen’s tomb awaits your visit. Wear the headset, walk around the room scaled as large as the actual tomb in Egypt, and discover the details of the artifacts. Produced by NHK, Japan.
Neptune, 7th floor
NHK Labs has an impressive reputation for leading the development of new ways to experience content. Come see the creativity, innovation and ingenuity for yourself.
Diorama Stadium, a cloud-based AR platform
Fuji Television Network, Japan
This cloud-based advanced modeling platform for watching live sports with augmented reality combines video telecasts and internet technologies to allow you to choose your favorite viewing angles.
Integral 3D Video with Eye-Tracking System
NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories, Japan
From the latest research by the NHK Science and Technology Research Laboratories, this integral 3D display with eye-tracking system makes it possible to view natural 3D images WITHOUT using special glasses.
Haptic Interfaces for Physically Experiencing Sports Games
NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories, Japan
Come play volleyball, not just visually but physically. This sensory system uses haptic interfaces so you experience vibrations that reflect the impact and timing of hitting the ball.
Innovation Hall, 7th floor
Come experience 8K like you've never seen it before. Thanks to NHK, this is an opportunity to not just experience 8K but 8K in virtual reality! And if you're interested in 8K, don't miss the 8K Masterclass on Tuesday, December 3 at 11:15 a.m. in Uranus.
2:00 PM
8K: Compilation film (40 min)
This showcase of NHK’s latest 8K films offer a new way of storytelling, creating ultimate immersive viewing experience. Enjoy a sky-high view of the Tibetan Plateau in magnificently brilliant colors or dive into the crystalline waters of the Mexican Cenote caves. See how these ultra high definition images can unlock a Mayan mystery of a lost jade mask or tell an epic story of Okavango through the eyes of indigenous river people in its full aesthetic glory.
12:30-1:00 PM, 1:15-1:30 PM, 4:00-4:30 PM
8K:VR: Aoi –Sackanaction and Tokyo Victory
The world's first content for 8K:VR theatre, Aoi –Sackanaction presents a live performance by Japanese band Sackanaction (complete with extravagant laser show) that makes it feel like the band is in front of you without the use of head-mounted display.
Created in 2016, Tokyo Victory was the world's first 8K motion ride, which takes viewers on a tour of the Tokyo skyline to the soundtrack of Southern All Stars's hit song "Tokyo Victory." Produced by NHK Enterprises and NHK Technologies, with Recochoku Labs and WONDER VISION TECHNO LABORATORY.
11:30 AM-12:15 PM, 3:00-3:45 PM
8K:VR: Alice and the World of Sorrow
This story of a girl escaping Tokyo and the complexities of society illustrates the possibilities for immersive environments as ultra-high definition entertainment. Created in 2018, the project was presented at Ars Electronica Festival, as a Beyond the Frame: 8K Future Projects, a joint research project between the Ars Electronica Futurelab and NHK.
11:30 AM-12:15 PM, 3:00-3:45 PM
8K: Starry Skies in the Uyuni Salt Flat
When the wind stops the surface of the salt flat turns into a glassy mirror, reflecting the stars and the galaxy. This 8K-VR version will take you on the lake and surround you with stars from ceiling to floor.
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
Cosmic Front, Episode 2: Time Travel
D: Pascal Roulin, NHK, Japan
All aboard on our spacecraft for some time travel. Is it fantasy? Yes and no. If we were able to control time and space, we may be able to travel beyond them.
Special Exhibit Zone B, 1st floor
Venus, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Mercury, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
Cosmic Front, Episode 3: The Search for Dark Matter
D: Kentaro Tamura, NHK, Japan
What exactly is dark matter? Investigate the big question by looking at the latest researches and theories—the universe is full of marvels.
Venus, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Uranus, 7th floor
The award-winning feature documentary Human Nature explores some of the biggest controversies surrounding genetic engineering and the revolutionary technology known as CRISPR. The documentary has been called "eye-popping" and "essential viewing," and the story of its production is just as fascinating. Hear how a filmmaker with no science background and a PhD cell biologist with no filmmaking background worked side by side with the aim of revolutionizing how science programs are made.
Session Producer
Adam Bolt, Filmmaker, Wonder Collaborative (USA)
Adam Bolt is an Emmy-winning documentarian who believes film can tell complex stories to wide audiences. His latest work, Human Nature, explores the science and ethics of CRISPR, a revolutionary gene editing technology. Adam also edited and co-wrote the Oscar-winning documentary Inside Job, about the 2008 financial crisis, and was a senior producer, editor, and writer on Showtime’s award-winning climate change series Years of Living Dangerously. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he also serves as director of The Edit Center, an innovative filmmaking school that fosters collaboration between editing students and up-and-coming independent filmmakers.
Saturn, 7th floor
You’ve got great ideas – now what? There are more digital platforms than ever before, but the landscape can seem cluttered and confusing. We’ll sort through the muddle and explore the opportunities and the pitfalls to create premium content with the help of successful producers and input from the digital platforms themselves.
Session Producer & Moderator
Alex Hryniewicz, Head of Owned Channels, Little Dot Studios (UK)
Alex is Head of Owned Channels at Little Dot Studios, a next generation broadcaster and producer. Alex looks after a department of over 20 channel brands, including Real Stories, a premium documentary channel, and Timeline, a specialist history channel. They all broadcast on YouTube, Facebook Watch, IGTV, Snapchat, Amazon and Roku—reaching millions of viewers every day. As part of this role Alex acquires and commissions documentary and factual content from international producers and distributors.
Speaker
Danielle Steinberg, Digital Lead, Content and Strategy, PBS NATURE (USA)
Danielle Steinberg is currently the digital lead for PBS NATURE. She was a founding member of PBS Digital Studios, PBS' original digital network of educational series, where she began her career before moving to National Geographic, also contributing to Nat Geo's first digital series. Before NATURE, she built the video team and strategy for Gizmodo and its environmental vertical, Earther. Danielle hopes to continue creating educational and entertaining content with a focus on science, conservation, exploration, wildlife, and the environment.
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
Preparing the public for devastating natural events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires, and communicating during emergencies is at the heart of every public broadcaster’s mandate. But when does an inconvenient truth go from saving lives to causing mass panic?
In a week when NHK is releasing its most ambitious documentary-drama ever on the impact of a massive earthquake, we’ll explore the most effective ways to leverage media to tell stories of impending disaster and strike a responsible balance.
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
Whale Superhighway
D: Julia Redwood, Prospero Productions, Australia
Follow humpback whales on their migration from the top of western Australia to Antarctica and back again—one of the longest migrations on the planet.
Saturn, 7th floor
Executives from some of China’s leading media organizations will tell you everything you need to know about international co-production opportunities as we look at some of the country’s best documentaries from the past year with the help of Fresh Pitch, an international documentary forum held annually in Suzhou Province.
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
The remarkable achievements of leading Japanese roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro have made headlines around the world and led to significant progress in creating lifelike robots that can live and work with humans. He’s even created a robot in his own image. In this exclusive presentation, Professor Ishiguro will discuss his latest research and predicts how we will interact with robots in our homes of the future.
Speaker
Hiroshi Ishiguro, Professor, Osaka University (Japan)
Hiroshi Ishiguro received a D. Eng. in systems engineering from the Osaka University, Japan in 1991. He is currently Professor of Department of Systems Innovation in the Graduate School of Engineering Science at Osaka University (2009-) and Distinguished Professor of Osaka University (2017-). He is also visiting Director (2014-) (group leader: 2002-2013) of Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories at the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute and an ATR fellow. His research interests include sensor networks, interactive robotics, and android science.
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Immerse yourself in the latest technology at the Miraikan's dome theatre and find out from international experts how to produce stunning programming for one of the fastest growing new big-screen platforms.
Special Exhibit Zone B, 1st floor
Speed Dating is a great way for independent producers to have a one-on-one chat with decision makers to whom they wouldn't otherwise have easy access. We do some matchmaking and decision makers pre-select projects of interest—but they won't know who they came from until their face-to-face meeting.
Pre-registration required. Closed to media.
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
Vestige
D: Aaron Bradbury, NSC Creative, UK
This award-winning, creative documentary takes us on a journey into the mind of Lisa as she remembers her lost love, Erik, revealing the complex world of memory and grief.
Noesis
Miraikan
Contemporary artworks inspired by the laws of nature and cosmology, and visualised science philosophical concepts scored with original music suggest new possibilities for Dome Theatre as an art space.
Location: Happo-en, 1 Chome-1-1 Shirokanedai, Minato City, Tokyo
Join friends, colleagues, and collaborators for an evening celebrating Japanese culture at Happo-en. This exquisite garden oasis located in the heart of Tokyo showcases key elements found within traditional Japanese gardens including: exceptional architecture, art, ancient bonsai trees, and ceremonial tea houses. Over the course of the evening, explore the beautiful grounds, enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine, and experience the peaceful nature of this early 17th century Japanese garden and the stream that runs through it. This is an evening that you won't want to miss!
Hosted by NHK in partnership with the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau
N.B. This evening social includes elements that are outdoors; please dress accordingly.
Special Exhibit Zone A, 1st Floor
Saturn, 7th floor
Artificial Intelligence holds great promise for program makers. It can sort through a year’s worth of digitized video content in a few hours to uncover new treasures. But this same technology has also brought us "deepfakes" with the intent to deceive an audience through altered images and sounds. As gatekeepers of the truth, how do we stay ahead of these increasingly sophisticated scams to deceive and misinform? In a provocative and fascinating session, we look at the peril and promise of AI with case studies and examples of how the new technology is a game-changer...for better and for worse.
Session Producer
Ed Hersh, Founder & Principal, StoryCentric (USA)
Ed Hersh is the founder and principal of StoryCentric, a New York‐based company that provides insight to content producers and networks on development, production and storytelling strategies as well as the evolving media marketplace.
His clients include Discovery Communications, major non-fiction production companies in the US and Canada, and WNET/PBS in New York, where serves as a senior programming consultant.
He rejoined StoryCentric in March of 2013 after nearly four years at Discovery Communications as Senior Vice President, Content Strategy for the Military Channel and before that, as Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning for Investigation Discovery.
He also spent seven years at Court TV as a programming executive at A&E, ,and 16 years at ABC News in senior production and programming positions.
He is a graduate of Syracuse University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and currently serves on the adjunct faculty of SU’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
Back by popular demand, we once again turn the tables on our top network executives as they pitch and sell their best shows to a panel of millennials YouTubers who challenge their perceptions and misconceptions. Let’s find out just how in-tune our decision makers are in appealing to what millennials might actually want to watch.
Session Producer
Judy Rymer, Producer/Director, Rymer Childs (Australia)
Judy Rymer has been directing and producing drama and documentary films for the past 30 years. Her work covers a wide range of subjects concentrating on social and political history and science. Most recently she produced I Will Not Be Silenced, following an Australian woman's test case for rape through the Kenyan Courts. She is currently producing a feature length documentary on human rights, terrorism and refugees with Barrister Julian Burnside and a series on the rollercoaster of challenges faced in commercialising a scientific discovery.
Uranus, 7th floor
Italian archaeologists are tearing up the streets in ancient Pompeii. Buried under 12-feet of volcanic tuft and ash they’ve uncovered brilliant murals, mosaics and skeletons of those unfortunates who didn’t escape the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD. Gedeon Media Group, Paris has been filming for over a year. It is destined to be another mega hit documentary.
But, are big overnight ratings enough, anymore? With all the IP that goes into our productions, is one night on broadcast all there is? This is a masterclass about Pompeii Rising and how filmmakers can amplify their big TV films into something with a long tail by reaching out to the museum exhibition world.
This is the whole story from the protracted negotiations, the year-long filming and editing. The behind-the-scenes as movie-quality reenactments are shot on sets and CGI that are based actual photogrammetry from the archaeological site. Importantly, from the outset, the production planned for the creation of an interactive exhibition in Paris where real artifacts will sit alongside AR ones and VR will allow the public to walk down the streets of Pompeii even as the pyroclastic flow is barreling down Vesuvius.
Session Producer & Moderator
Steve Burns, Founder & EP, Roller Coaster Road Productions (USA)
Steve Burns is founder and EP at Roller Coaster Road Productions and continues as Special Advisor to CuriosityStream where he recently retired as Chief Content Officer.
His career spans more than 25 years from National Geographic cinematographer/ producer to senior executive positions at Discovery Networks, including GM of Science Channel, returning to National Geographic as Executive Vice President of Global Content for NGC worldwide. Before CuriosityStream, Burns was a freelance Executive Producer for WNET/ NY's long-running Secrets of the Dead series for PBS in the U.S.
He has won multiple industry awards, including two Emmys for Five Years on Mars and Spirit of the Rainforest. His teams have been nominated for two Academy Awards, won two Peabody Awards and well over 200 Emmy nominations, including dozens of wins, most recently Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places in 2017.
Speaker
Stéphane Millière, CEO, Gedeon Media (France)
Stéphane Millière is an author, producer and CEO of Gedeon Media Group including five production and one distribution companies: Gedeon Programmes, MC4, Docland Yard, Biloba Films, Terranoa International. With more than 2000 documentaries for TV, and 20 features docs, Gedeon Media Group is one of the leading French producers in the fields of History, Science, Nature, Art & Culture films with over 400 awards from international film festivals.
Speaker
Roei Amit, Head of Digital Productions, Réunion des Musées Nationaux Grand Palais (France)
Roei Amit is head of Digital at the RMN-GP, RMN - Grand Palais, in support of the digital strategy, digital production and distribution; multimedia, digital mediation, communication and media assets.
Roei is the former head of Multimedia Publishing at INA, French Audiovisual National Institute and has a PhD in Social Science and Philosophy, EHESS; Professor for Digital and Multimedia.
Innovation Hall, 7th floor
Come experience 8K like you've never seen it before. Thanks to NHK, this is an opportunity to not just experience 8K but 8K in virtual reality! And if you're interested in 8K, don't miss the 8K Masterclass on Tuesday, December 3 at 11:15 a.m. in Uranus.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
8K: Compilation film (40 min)
This showcase of NHK’s latest 8K films offer a new way of storytelling, creating ultimate immersive viewing experience. Enjoy a sky-high view of the Tibetan Plateau in magnificently brilliant colors or dive into the crystalline waters of the Mexican Cenote caves. See how these ultra high definition images can unlock a Mayan mystery of a lost jade mask or tell an epic story of Okavango through the eyes of indigenous river people in its full aesthetic glory.
12:30-1:00 PM, 1:30-2:00 PM, 3:30-4:15 PM
8K:VR: Aoi –Sackanaction and Tokyo Victory
The world's first content for 8K:VR theatre, Aoi –Sackanaction presents a live performance by Japanese band Sackanaction (complete with extravagant laser show) that makes it feel like the band is in front of you without the use of head-mounted display.
Created in 2016, Tokyo Victory was the world's first 8K motion ride, which takes viewers on a tour of the Tokyo skyline to the soundtrack of Southern All Stars's hit song "Tokyo Victory." Produced by NHK Enterprises and NHK Technologies, with Recochoku Labs and WONDER VISION TECHNO LABORATORY.
11:30 AM-12:30 PM, 2:00-5:15 PM, 4:30-5:30 PM
8K:VR: Alice and the World of Sorrow
This story of a girl escaping Tokyo and the complexities of society illustrates the possibilities for immersive environments as ultra-high definition entertainment. Created in 2018, the project was presented at Ars Electronica Festival, as a Beyond the Frame: 8K Future Projects, a joint research project between the Ars Electronica Futurelab and NHK.
11:30 AM-12:30 PM, 2:00-5:15 PM, 4:30-5:30 PM
8K: Starry Skies in the Uyuni Salt Flat
When the wind stops the surface of the salt flat turns into a glassy mirror, reflecting the stars and the galaxy. This 8K-VR version will take you on the lake and surround you with stars from ceiling to floor.
Dome Theatre Lobby, 7th floor
Enjoy a selection of VR experiences.
Age-Old Cities VR
Ubisoft, France
Journey from Palmyra to Mosul to visit six iconic monuments are brought to life as you walk through the ancient sites and feel the splendor of places that are a global duty to preserve.
The Antarctica Experience
Whitespark Productions, Australia
Experience a day in the life of Antarctic scientists as they research this mysterious continent.
Capturing the Universe
D: Takumi Hisaizumi, NHK, Japan
"I want to catch a star." A young physicist pursues his childhood dream and endevours to reveal the unknown structures of archaeological sites using cosmic ray detectors.
Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece
Ubisoft, France
Embark on any of 30 guided tours of Ancient Greece, curated by historians and led by charismatic characters, in the educational mode of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Fukushima, the Evacuation Area
NHK, Japan
Some areas of Fukushima remain in the difficult-to-return zone of radioactive contamination, but this experience give you access to the neighborhood, the nature and what was left behind.
Hiroshima's Dome
NHK, Japan
A survivor tells their story about the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima 74 years ago.
Inside Tumucumaque
D: Ina Krüger, Patrik de Jong, Interactive Media Foundation, Germany
Travel to Tumucumaque in the midst of the Brazilian rainforest to explore more than 400 hectares of virtual rainforest filled with authentic plants, exotic animals and a diverse landscape.
Move On Cycling VR, Fly over Pompei Ruins
D: Takumi Hisaizumi, NHK, Japan
Take a bike tour to Pompeii and enjoy an aerial view of the ancient Roman city. You choose the route and an audio guide provides historical insights.
Notre Dame VR Experience
Ubisoft, France
Discover, or rediscover, this architectural jewel that has been closed to the public since the dramatic fire of April 2019 in this virtual tour based on the 3D model developed for the game Assassin’s Creed Unity.
We Are Stars
NSC Creative, UK
Connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe, in this companion piece to Wednesday's Dome screening.
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
Ningaloo: Australia's Other Great Reef
D: Russell Vines, Prospero Productions, Australia
Join marine scientist, Anna Cresswell, on a voyage through one of the world’s most complex ecosystems to witness the annual mass coral spawning: the greatest reproductive show on Earth.
Neptune, 7th floor
NHK Labs has an impressive reputation for leading the development of new ways to experience content. Come see the creativity, innovation and ingenuity for yourself.
Diorama Stadium, a cloud-based AR platform
Fuji Television Network, Japan
This cloud-based advanced modeling platform for watching live sports with augmented reality combines video telecasts and internet technologies to allow you to choose your favorite viewing angles.
Integral 3D Video with Eye-Tracking System
NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories, Japan
From the latest research by the NHK Science and Technology Research Laboratories, this integral 3D display with eye-tracking system makes it possible to view natural 3D images WITHOUT using special glasses.
Haptic Interfaces for Physically Experiencing Sports Games
NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories, Japan
Come play volleyball, not just visually but physically. This sensory system uses haptic interfaces so you experience vibrations that reflect the impact and timing of hitting the ball.
Immersive Studio, 7th floor
King Tutankhamen’s tomb awaits your visit. Wear the headset, walk around the room scaled as large as the actual tomb in Egypt, and discover the details of the artifacts. Produced by NHK, Japan.
Jupiter, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Saturn, 7th floor
With projected worldwide revenues of $150 billion this year, the interactive gaming industry has rapidly grown from a niche audience to mainstream culture and become the latest significant competitor for screen time and viewers. Take a look at how factual and educational producers are creating new forms of programming and how it’s changing the way people consume media.
Session Producer
Adam Rymer, CEO, Omnilash, Inc. (USA)
Adam Rymer is the CEO of Omnislash, an emerging data platform for gamers. He was most recently President of Legendary Digital Networks where he oversaw all day-to-day business for LDN's digital media brands including Nerdist, Geek & Sundry, and Smart Girls.
Previously he was COO/CFO/Co-founder of film finance/production company, Lava Bear Films. Prior to Lava Bear, Rymer spent eight years at Universal Pictures, most recently as SVP, Digital Platforms, where he spearheaded the studio’s new business initiatives through emerging channels including mobile, interactive games and digital cinema.
He has also had strategy and business development roles at Universal Music and early internet start-ups. He began his professional career as an associate at L.E.K Consulting.
Rymer earned an MBA in finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a BA in applied mathematics and economics from Harvard University. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
Speaker
Caitlin Saks, Producer, NOVA | WGBH (USA)
Caitlin Saks is a producer for the science series NOVA on PBS. She is currently producing and co-hosting the digital series Polar Extremes Antarctica, as well as hosting the companion online game, the Polar Lab. Caitlin’s other climate-related production credits include co-producing NOVA's Emmy-nominated two-hour television special on climate change, Decoding the Weather Machine, and the virtual reality experience Greenland Melting. Previously, as science editor for NOVA, Caitlin developed the story content for the series, including the Emmy-nominated and Kavli Award–winning film Poisoned Water. Before joining NOVA, Caitlin worked on award-winning films for FRONTLINE, including League of Denial, The Choice 2012, and Money, Power, and Wall Street.
Uranus, 7th floor
How can factual storytellers benefit from an emerging movement called Constructive or Open Journalism? Find out how producers are telling stories in a new way: focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on conflict and problems—a traditional approach that’s been blamed for creating cynical consumers who feel helpless to make change. Learn how you can go from trying to mirror the world to moving it forward in this fascinating, cutting-edge session.
Speaker
Gerd Maria May, CEO, Room of Solutions (Denmark)
Gerd Maria May has been working in journalism for the last 20 years. She has held positions in TV, radio, web and newspaper, as reporter, anchor and head of news. For the last ten years heading media innovation. She has worked primarily with digital transformation, local journalism and constructive journalism.
Along with a position as journalistic associated professor at University of Southern Denmark, teaching journalism.
Gerd has, for five years, held a position as head of editorial development at Jysk Fynske Medier, which is the second largest private danish media company.
Most recent Gerd received a fellowship at Constructive Institute, where she spend a year studying constructive journalism.
Today Gerd is heading big projects with constructive media development in Denmark, teaching and she has just finished writing the first danish textbook about constructive journalism.
Speaker
Kevin Newman, Journalist/Presenter, NewMan Media Ltd. (Canada)
Kevin Newman is host and Executive Producer of the ground-breaking podcast Attention Control with Kevin Newman. It is the first charity-funded independent journalistic podcast in Canada, in association with McGill University in Montreal.
Kevin has a proven record of innovation in Canadian journalism. He guided the development and success of Global National as the country’s third national newscast and also the first news podcast on Apple’s iTunes. He later created the innovative Kevin Newman Live for CTV, and was Bell Media’s Digital News Evangelist. While co-anchoring World News Now at ABC News in the U.S., his newscast was the first live streamed on the internet in 1995. Kevin also served for six years on the Board of Directors for the Communitech Hub in Waterloo Ontario which is Canada’s leading start-up incubator. He has created television series and iPad content through his independent company, NewMan Media Ltd.
Kevin’s career in television journalism is exceptional in North America. He has been host and managing editor of CTV’s Investigative series W5, host and executive editor of Global National, co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America, host of CBC’s Midday, national/international correspondent for ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, Nightline with Ted Koppel, and parliamentary correspondent for CBC's The National, CTV National News and Global News. Along with his son Alex, Kevin co-authored the best selling memoir All Out. He has been awarded multiple Emmy, Gemini, Edward R. Murrow and RTDNA awards, and holds an Honourary Doctorate from Western University granted in 2011. He resides in Toronto, Canada with his wife Cathy.
Speaker
Naoki Hosoda, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)
Naoki has been serving as the senior producer of the NHK’s flagship current-affairs program Today’s Close-Up and developing new formats of investigative journalism. His latest project Open Journalism Project, which initiated and has played a leading role, aims to solve social issues through facilitating collective intelligence of the public by engaging online media and television broadcast. He is a dedicated director/producer with over 15 years' career in factual programming.
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
The planet is in meltdown: mass extinction, deforestation, diminishing fresh water supplies, exponential human population growth and catastrophic climate change. We’ve known about all this for 25 years or more, and yet half the world is still in denial. Decades of science programming appears to have made little difference—perhaps because it was almost impossible to get a mainstream show about the environment commissioned. Are we doing any better in 2019? Producers, bloggers and broadcasters will outline their strategies and present a selection of content aimed at persuading the wider community that the survival of the planet and human race is at stake unless we change course. Can they convince their Congress colleagues that their program or strategy is demonstrably reaching hearts and minds and effecting behaviour change?
Session Producer
Clare Birks, CEO, Oxford Scientific Films (UK)
Clare Birks has spent her career working in the production, co-production and distribution business. She has been running Oxford Scientific Films since 2004 transforming the business into a company with a reputation for creative excellence and innovation combined with commercial acumen. OSF’s output has increased considerably and the range of program has expanded beyond natural history to include science, history, archaeology, arts and culture, and most recently documentaries. Her experience of the international market has enabled OSF to produce award-winning high-end series such as Richard Hammond’s Miracles of Nature and Wild Weather in co-production with Terra Mater Factual Studios. Giant screen experience followed with Meerkats 3D and Pandas: The Journey Home both for National Geographic and Sky. New projects include high-end natural history series with the BBC, Terra Mater, ABC, PBS and CJ E&M Korea.
Session Producer & Moderator
Alison Leigh, Senior Consultant, WCSFP (Australia)
Alison Leigh was Editorial Director of WCSFP for almost two decades. Under her direction the WCSFP session program acquired the reputation of being the world’s best for tracking the trends and engaging in provocative and engrossing debate around issues affecting our genre. Previously, she played a leading role in producing and commissioning science TV programs in Australia, including six years as Series Producer and then Executive Producer ABC TV Science Unit. Alison helped develop National Science Week in Australia and is a founder member and past President of the Australian Science Communicators. Along with some of her ASC colleagues, she is currently involved in a series of initiatives aimed at mobilising large numbers of institutions and individuals to align and to push for effective policies and strategies to manage the climate emergency and other environmental tipping points.
Speaker
Catherine Alvaresse, Head of Documentaries and Cultural Magazines of France 2, France Télévisions (France)
Since March 2016, Catherine Alvaresse has been head of documentaries and cultural magazines of France 2. Previously, she served as the deputy director of Specialist Factual Department at ARTE France from 2011 to 2016. She served as a deputy managing director at Europe Images International from 2007 to 2011, director of International Co-productions for Boreales from 2006 to 2007, and director of Acquisitions and International Co-productions at Tele Images International from 2004 to 2006. She is an award-winning international distributor and co-producer of factual programming.
Special Exhibit Zone B, 1st floor
Venus, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Speaker
Joseph Maxwell, Head of Documentaries, SBS (Australia)
Joseph Maxwell is head of Documentaries for SBS, Australia. Joseph started at SBS as Commissioning Editor in January 2012. Prior to this, Joseph developed, directed and produced high end prime time documentaries for most of the major broadcasters in Britain. He also set up and ran his own production company, securing major international co-productions in France and USA. In April 2016, Joseph became Head of Documentaries at SBS.
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
We Are Stars
D: Max Crow, NSC Creative UK
What are we made of? Where did it all come from? Explore the secrets of our cosmic chemistry, and our explosive origins. Narrated by Andy Serkis, We Are Stars is the world’s first science documentary designed and created for both VR headsets and immersive dome screens.
Mercury, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Speaker
Catherine Alvaresse, Head of Documentaries and Cultural Magazines of France 2, France Télévisions (France)
Since March 2016, Catherine Alvaresse has been head of documentaries and cultural magazines of France 2. Previously, she served as the deputy director of Specialist Factual Department at ARTE France from 2011 to 2016. She served as a deputy managing director at Europe Images International from 2007 to 2011, director of International Co-productions for Boreales from 2006 to 2007, and director of Acquisitions and International Co-productions at Tele Images International from 2004 to 2006. She is an award-winning international distributor and co-producer of factual programming.
Venus, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Uranus, 7th floor
Producers and scientists are finding extraordinary new ways to transform massive amounts of raw data into bold, innovative science stories. From streaming live from the surface of an asteroid, to seeing the world through the eyes of a poison dart frog, find out how the impossible is becoming possible and the invisible is becoming visible.
Session Producer
Kate Pappas, Creative Producer, Wilding Productions (Australia)
Kate Pappas is a hands-on Creative Producer whose dedication to understanding the world around her has led to a rewarding career in documentary filmmaking. Since cutting her teeth in London in the wonderful world of kids' science TV, she has worked across a diverse and award-winning slate. Kate has subsequently Produced, Co-Produced, Series Produced and Line Produced around 30 hours of television and works regularly with Genepool Productions, WildBear Entertainment, Chemical Media and Renegade Films. Recent credits include art/science documentary Deception By Design (ABC/OFT); feature documentary Westwind: Djalu’s Legacy (NiTV/MIFF Premier Fund/Madman Ent.) and 11 hours of blue-chip wildlife films with Wild Bear Entertainment. Most recently, she has been at Genepool Productions working across their development slate as well as working with WildBear Entertainment on feature documentary Valerie. In 2018, Kate established Wilding Productions, where she will pursue her passion for telling stories that illuminate the wonders of our natural world.
Speaker
Yoshiyuki Ito, CG/VFX Technical Director, NHK Technical Operation & Engineering Center (Japan)
Since joining the NHK's CG/VFX team in 2005, Yoshiyuki Ito has been a key player in data visualisation for science and news programming, and visual effects for fictional programming. The works he participated include the multi-award-winning Miracle Body series, the Megaquake series co-produced with NGCI, and a three-year drama series Clouds Above the Hill based on a Japanese historical novel by Ryotaro Shiba. Besides his creative work, he is currently working on re-designing CG/VFX production workflow within the network to achieve efficient production environment.
Speaker
Dan Kendall, Creative Director, Windfall Films (UK)
Dan Kendall has a reputation for delivering award-winning, high impact, television for global audiences. Since joining Windfall Films in 2016, he has been a key figure in the company’s creative growth – helping devise and produce hit returnable formats for the US and international markets, series and singles for the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK, and Windfall’s first ever project for an IMAX feature.
With over 20 years production experience, his track record features awards and ratings success across many genres; from History Channel’s Emmy-nominated drama based “mega-documentary” Mankind: The Story of All of Us, CBC’s Lost Secrets of the Pyramid (winner: Canadian Screen Award), Channel 4’s headline grabbing live events Surgery Live (winner: Broadcast Digital Award, nominated Banff Rockie Award), Drugs Live: Cannabis on Trial (winner: AIB Science Award) to BBC Two’s history of the Web, The Virtual Revolution (winner: International Digital EMMY, BAFTA New Media Award).
Speaker
Michael Grotenhoff, Producer, Filmtank (Germany)
Michael Grotenhoff is the co-owner of Filmtank, producer and director of international multi-award-winning transmedia projects and TV-documentaries (e.g. “netwars/ out of CTRL” won i.a. Grimme Online Award, Japan Prize, Prix Italia, SXSW Interactive Innovation Award in 2015). Grotenhoff has a degrees in theatre, film and television studies, journalism and politics. His main focus has consistently remained on digital advancements; and as a result, most of his films deal with the digitalisation of society. Grotenhoff is an internationally sought-after guest lecturer for the development and production of cross-media projects. International jury activities (such as Lovie Award). He is a Fellow of the Cultural and Creative Industries Initiative of the Federal Government.
Michael's latest production is the crossmedia project DELTAS, with the internationally award-winning VR Experience Inside Tumucumaque (Japan Prize Nominee 2018, Annual Multimedia Gold Award 2019, Special Jury Mention Raindance Festival 2018, Red Dot Award 2018).
He is currently in production on MYRIAD – Through The Eyes Of Many, a moving crossmedia storytelling experience that allows viewers to understand the Earth as planet as a highly interconnected organism through the raw beauty of animal migration, from the small insect to the big mammal, a window to the profound changes in our shared planet’s global ecosystem.
Speaker
Yoshinori Tsutsui, Chief Director, NHK Science (Japan)
Yoshinori Tsutsui has spent his 20 years’ career working in science program production, specialised in astronomy and 8K/4K production. His latest works include Space Spectacle: The Mission of Hayabusa 2, a documentary following the JAXA’s mission of an asteroid explorer Hayabusa 2; BETELGEUSE: Death of a Super Star, a part of the NHK’s long-running series Cosmic Front; and an 8K/4K program ANTARCTICA: The Frozen Time Capsule in co-production with SVT.
Saturn, 7th floor
The images that shape our understanding of history are always subject to rethinking and further interpretation. Using some of the biggest events of the late 20th century—Woodstock, the moon landing and Tiananmen—we’ll explore how memory and personal testimony take truth beyond the facts and how innovative documentary techniques impact the retelling of history.
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
Blending drama with real documentary footage is the newest trend in natural history but where does it leave the genre? Are we in danger of pushing the boundaries so far that the traditional natural history program has become too boring to watch? We’ll explore how the drive to tell an emotional story and boost ratings is blurring the lines between fact or fiction and debate how far we can go.
Session Producer
Emily Baustien, Development Manager, Discovery, Inc. (USA)
Emily Baustien serves as Development Manager for Discovery Channel and Discovery Science Channel. In her role, she works with producers to develop and produce primetime series and specials for both networks. Prior to Discovery, Emily worked at Netflix and Authentic Entertainment. She is based out of Discovery’s West Coast office in Los Angeles, California.
Session Producer & Moderator
Lucinda Axelsson, Executive Producer, Oxford Scientific Films (UK)
Lucinda Axelsson is a multi-award winning executive producer with Oxford Scientific Films, and former BBC Commissioning Editor and BBC NHU producer. She executive produced Serengeti a pioneering wildlife-meets-drama series for Discovery and the BBC where she created the complex interwoven storylines that are it's hallmark.
As a series producer Lucinda was responsible for co-creating the Emmy Award–winning Meerkat Manor with OSF, where for the first time the dramatic narrative techniques of the soap opera were used to reveal the intricate social lives of animals.
She breathed new life in the Blue Chip landmark space with highly rated series on Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, Patagonia, Mexico, Thailand and Alaska. She commissioned highly rated shows including Spy in the Wild, Snow Chick and Pets Wild at Heart for JDP, the BAFTA-nominated Attenborough's Life that Glows, and Tribes, Predators and Me , featuring Gordon Buchanan with the NHU.
Mercury, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
An inside look at how programmers and producers are attracting a new generation of audiences to history programming.
Uranus, 7th floor
Japanese television has an international reputation for its sometimes bizarre and wacky game show formats. But the intense competition to grab viewers away from drama and sports in primetime isn’t restricted to game shows. Factual entertainment programs have some incredible success stories as well. In this session, we’ll take a look at some of the newest and most successful formats in Japan, and explore the survival strategies behind them. Prepare to be amazed!
Session Producer
Yuri Sudo, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)
Yuri is the Senior Producer of the Unit focusing on Non-linear Content Development and creating New Media Services on Emerging Media Platforms. Prior to that, he was Senior Producer to the International Co-Productions Team at NHK, with assignments as developing and coordinating various international co-production projects, many of which winning various awards and prizes. Yuri has over 20 years of directing/producing experience at the in-house production team of the network, credited for the development of nationally renowned documentary series and new history formats.
Session Producer & Moderator
Sayumi Horie, Executive Producer, Global Content Development Division, NHK (Japan)
As Executive Producer of Global Content Development Division of NHK's Programming Department, Horie has been supervising the teams involved in international businesses including both exploitation and acquisition of programs, since 2016, including three years as the head of the department, (2016-19), making use of her long experience in international co-production works at NHK as well as her powerful relationships with international partners.
Saturn, 7th floor
We all thought we knew the Apollo 11 story. But imaginative storytelling techniques and access to previously unknown and secret recordings have brought fresh insights and surprises to a momentous historical event and revitalized and popularized an entire genre with new landmark series and eye-popping theatrical documentaries. Take an interstellar journey to find out why the universe is bigger and better than ever before.
Saturn, 7th floor
Producing a documentary on breaking science has its perils and pleasures. With two exciting case studies from HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Windfall Films, we offer tips on everything from narrative to animation to promotion when the story is top secret and the scientific results are shifting out from under you. When the science is on the run, is it wise to produce a documentary on a breaking discovery or better to wait until the dust settles?
Uranus, 7th floor
It's no secret that factual programming often skews heavily male—but why? With original research and audience feedback we’ll find out what’s really going on and get some insights on how to create science and history content that attracts audiences we might be missing.
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
Since the 1950s, Japan’s most famous monster has starred in movies, video games, television series, books and comics. And now Godzilla, king of the lizards, can claim another victory: the focus of a research paper in a prestigious journal! We’ll explore the evolutionary biology of Godzilla and how it reflects changes in science, politics, the environment and our own social anxieties. We might even have a surprise visit from the monster himself.
Session Producer
Ruth Berry, Consultant, Terra Mater Factual Studios (Austria)
Ruth Berry is an award-winning producer, director and writer of blue chip factual programming; content developer, natural history illustrator, moderator and trainer. She loves dinosaurs, Neanderthals, B movie monsters and killer marsupials. Her films have appeared on most broadcast networks including National Geographic, BBC, Discovery, ABC, PBS, ARTE and CBC. Ruth likes to combine her skills as an artist with the discipline of film production to extend story telling style and vision. She is a consultant and freelance producer for Terra Mater Factual studios in Vienna.
Special Exhibit Zone B, 1st floor
Speed Dating is a great way for independent producers to have a one-on-one chat with decision makers to whom they wouldn't otherwise have easy access. We do some matchmaking and decision makers pre-select projects of interest—but they won't know who they came from until their face-to-face meeting.
Pre-registration required. Closed to media.
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
Whale Superhighway
D: Julia Redwood, Prospero Productions, Australia
Follow humpback whales on their migration from the top of western Australia to Antarctica and back again—one of the longest migrations on the planet.
Innovation Hall, 7th floor
Come experience 8K like you've never seen it before. Thanks to NHK, this is an opportunity to not just experience 8K but 8K in virtual reality! And if you're interested in 8K, don't miss the 8K Masterclass on Tuesday, December 3 at 11:15 a.m. in Uranus.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
8K: Compilation film (40 min)
This showcase of NHK’s latest 8K films offer a new way of storytelling, creating ultimate immersive viewing experience. Enjoy a sky-high view of the Tibetan Plateau in magnificently brilliant colors or dive into the crystalline waters of the Mexican Cenote caves. See how these ultra high definition images can unlock a Mayan mystery of a lost jade mask or tell an epic story of Okavango through the eyes of indigenous river people in its full aesthetic glory.
1:00-2:30 PM
8K:VR: Aoi –Sackanaction and Tokyo Victory
The world's first content for 8K:VR theatre, Aoi –Sackanaction presents a live performance by Japanese band Sackanaction (complete with extravagant laser show) that makes it feel like the band is in front of you without the use of head-mounted display.
Created in 2016, Tokyo Victory was the world's first 8K motion ride, which takes viewers on a tour of the Tokyo skyline to the soundtrack of Southern All Stars's hit song "Tokyo Victory." Produced by NHK Enterprises and NHK Technologies, with Recochoku Labs and WONDER VISION TECHNO LABORATORY.
11:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:30-5:30 PM
8K:VR: Alice and the World of Sorrow
This story of a girl escaping Tokyo and the complexities of society illustrates the possibilities for immersive environments as ultra-high definition entertainment. Created in 2018, the project was presented at Ars Electronica Festival, as a Beyond the Frame: 8K Future Projects, a joint research project between the Ars Electronica Futurelab and NHK.
11:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:30-5:30 PM
8K: Starry Skies in the Uyuni Salt Flat
When the wind stops the surface of the salt flat turns into a glassy mirror, reflecting the stars and the galaxy. This 8K-VR version will take you on the lake and surround you with stars from ceiling to floor.
Special Exhibit Zone A, 1st Floor
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
In our post-truth era, are all points of view valid and up for discussion? A global study reveals that trust in science varies drastically around the globe. What role do factual producers play in shaping this public opinion? Do we have the right to shape it? Join us for a unique debate where you might have to defend a perspective you disagree with.
Session Producer
Maia Krall Fry, Head of Knowledge & Creative Communities, Wellcome (UK)
Maia Krall Fry is an independent producer/director, having moved from fiction film into science documentaries after studying Earth Sciences. Recent independent doc commissions include shorts for BBC Four and Guardian Documentaries. These projects are produced alongside her full-time work on longform content at Windfall Films. Previous independent work, including the feature film Ebony Road, has been supported by Film 4, The Guardian, the BFI, and BBC. Targeting her experience to entertaining fiction and academia was a conscious decision to break into factual content production with the widest applicable expertise. In 2015, Maia attended WCSFP as part of the Wellcome Trust Mentoring Program for Emerging Talent. In 2016 and 2017, as session producer of The Ideas Salon. She was named as a Broadcast Magazine Hotshot in 2017.
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
Capturing the Universe
D: Takumi Hisaizumi, NHK, Japan
"I want to catch a star." This is story of a young physicist pursuing his childhood dream and attempting to reveal the unknown structures of the archaeological sites by cosmic ray detectors.
Kabuki Dance: Feeling as if in a Dream
NHK Enterprises, Inc., NHK Technologies, Inc.
This one-of-a-kind music video features Kabuki, a traditional Japanese form of theatre. Popular young kabuki actor, Ukon Onoe, dances "Tomoyakko" and "Fujimusume," which make you feel as if you are in a dream.
Dome Theatre Lobby, 7th floor
Enjoy a selection of VR experiences.
Age-Old Cities VR
Ubisoft, France
Journey from Palmyra to Mosul to visit six iconic monuments are brought to life as you walk through the ancient sites and feel the splendor of places that are a global duty to preserve.
The Antarctica Experience
Whitespark Productions, Australia
Experience a day in the life of Antarctic scientists as they research this mysterious continent.
Capturing the Universe
D: Takumi Hisaizumi, NHK, Japan
"I want to catch a star." A young physicist pursues his childhood dream and endevours to reveal the unknown structures of archaeological sites using cosmic ray detectors.
Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece
Ubisoft, France
Embark on any of 30 guided tours of Ancient Greece, curated by historians and led by charismatic characters, in the educational mode of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Fukushima, the Evacuation Area
NHK, Japan
Some areas of Fukushima remain in the difficult-to-return zone of radioactive contamination, but this experience give you access to the neighborhood, the nature and what was left behind.
Hiroshima's Dome
NHK, Japan
A survivor tells their story about the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima 74 years ago.
Inside Tumucumaque
D: Ina Krüger, Patrik de Jong, Interactive Media Foundation, Germany
Travel to Tumucumaque in the midst of the Brazilian rainforest to explore more than 400 hectares of virtual rainforest filled with authentic plants, exotic animals and a diverse landscape.
Move On Cycling VR, Fly over Pompei Ruins
D: Takumi Hisaizumi, NHK, Japan
Take a bike tour to Pompeii and enjoy an aerial view of the ancient Roman city. You choose the route and an audio guide provides historical insights.
Notre Dame VR Experience
Ubisoft, France
Discover, or rediscover, this architectural jewel that has been closed to the public since the dramatic fire of April 2019 in this virtual tour based on the 3D model developed for the game Assassin’s Creed Unity.
We Are Stars
NSC Creative, UK
Connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe, in this companion piece to Wednesday's Dome screening.
Saturn, 7th floor
It’s one of the most successful factual genres ever created. From streaming services to podcasts and entire networks dedicated entirely to crime, viewers don’t seem able to get enough. We delve into the mysterious secrets behind the popularity and examine the most innovative breakthrough trends in a genre that just keeps growing.
Session Producer
Dinah Lord, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Caravan Media (UK)
Dinah is co-founder and managing director of Caravan. Her most recent awards include the 2015 BAFTA for Best Factual Series, the 2015 Royal Television Society Award for Best Arts Series, the 2014 BAFTA for Best Factual Series, and two Grierson awards. Among her other awards are a Wincott business award, a Digital Emmy and Cable Ace award nominations. Before she founded Caravan, Dinah was a filmmaker in observational, arts, music and science, and also ran a BAFTA-winning crime and investigative documentary series, over her 27-year career at the BBC latterly as creative executive producer. In this role she oversaw content creation and delivery for the BBC’s main London Factual department. Dinah then spent five years making international co-productions in the independent sector.
Neptune, 7th floor
NHK Labs has an impressive reputation for leading the development of new ways to experience content. Come see the creativity, innovation and ingenuity for yourself.
Diorama Stadium, a cloud-based AR platform
Fuji Television Network, Japan
This cloud-based advanced modeling platform for watching live sports with augmented reality combines video telecasts and internet technologies to allow you to choose your favorite viewing angles.
Integral 3D Video with Eye-Tracking System
NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories, Japan
From the latest research by the NHK Science and Technology Research Laboratories, this integral 3D display with eye-tracking system makes it possible to view natural 3D images WITHOUT using special glasses.
Haptic Interfaces for Physically Experiencing Sports Games
NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories, Japan
Come play volleyball, not just visually but physically. This sensory system uses haptic interfaces so you experience vibrations that reflect the impact and timing of hitting the ball.
Mercury, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
A fun and free-wheeling creative session that explores the roots of the very best in factual content: inspiration! If you’re looking to rejuvenate, re-energize or re-boot then this will be an essential escape before heading back to the day-to-day realities of the office.
Special Exhibit Zone A, 1st floor
Venus, 7th floor
Close Encounters are small group meetings with commissioning editors and media executives who either commission programs from independent producers outside their own territories or provide significant funding.
Member access is first come, first served at the door.
Media access by request. Please contact [email protected]
Dome Theatre, entrance on 6th floor
Surround yourself with stunning images at Dome Theatre screenings throughout Congress '19.
CapCom Go! The Apollo Story
D: Max Crow, NSC Creative, UK
An immersive, historical documentary that showcases the achievements of the Apollo program and what it took to put the first human on the Moon.
Miraikan Hall, 7th floor
Brigitte Baptiste is an inspiring Colombian scientist with an everlasting passion for diversity in all its beauty: in nature, society and her research. A charismatic speaker and LBGTQ activist, Brigitte was recently appointed rector of EAN University in Bogota and previously director of the Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute for a decade. Brigitte is the author of 15 books, a popular TV series and regular newspaper columns. In this talk, Brigitte explores the connection between how humans and other species build their gender identity. Join Brigitte on her journey as we get inspired by sexual diversity and biodiversity—because nothing is more queer than nature!
Session Producer
Gastón Chedufau, Executive Producer, LAS MINAS SmartMedia (Chile)
With over 15 years of experience in this industry, Gaston Chedufau has worked in Argentina, Spain and Chile, producing five films, several TV shows and web series, most of them internationally awarded. He joined LAS MINAS SmartMedia in 2010 to manage production and develop new formats.
An Emerging Producer at WCSFP in 2013, he's now playing in the field of science communication attending global events as jury, such as Academia Film Olomouc (2017) and SMASH (2018). In 2016 Gaston started coordinating the Chilean Association of Science & Factual Producers.
At present, he is producing a biopic documentary focusing on the famous Colombian biologist Mrs. Brigitte Baptiste.
Since 2018, Gaston has sat on the board of directors of the Film & TV Producers Chamber and Associate at EGEDA (Entity for Copyright Management). Mr. Chedufau is persuaded of the global appeal of scientific content and aware of all the wonderful things happening in the Southern Hemisphere.
Speaker
Brigitte Baptiste, Biologist, EAN - University (Colombia)
Brigitte Baptiste is currently the Chancellor for Ean University. She is a Biologist graduated of Javeriana University. She has a Master Master in Latin American Studies University of Florida, with additional postgraduate studies in Environmental Sciences of the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona and a Ph.D in Environmental Engineering (Honoris Causa).
Researcher and teacher in cultural landscapes, ecology and, analysis of territorial transformation, ecological history of productive systems and multicultural analysis of biodiversity use and management, including transgender studies.
At present, she is currently Co-Chair at the Biodiversity Values Global Assessment of the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services – IPBES. President of the Science & Politics Advisory Committee at the Inter-American Institute for Global Change – IAI.
Brigitte is member of the Board of Directors at the Colombian Agricultural Research Foundation –AGROSAVIA and writer for colombian newspapers “La República” and “El Espectador”. From 2011 until 2019 Mrs. Baptiste was General Director of the Biological Resources Institute "Alexander von Humboldt" in Colombia.
Saturn, 7th floor
Watch the winning videos from our one-minute science contest and see who takes the grand prize.
Saturn, 7th floor
Members are invited to join the WCSFP Board of Directors to contribute ideas and feedback and find out about future plans.
