Uniting groundbreaking technology with interactive storytelling, FilmGate Interactive Media Festival is coming to University of Miami School of Communication for a three-day immersive conference. Already in its fourth year, this is the first time University of Miami is co-sponsoring and hosting FilmGate, the first festival in the United States to focus exclusively on interactive storytelling.
Diliana Alexander, executive director for FilmGate, chose University of Miami School of Communication to host the festival because “not only is it the only school in Florida with an interactive department, but we have collaborated with UM’s faculty and students for years and moving the festival to UM was a natural step.”
Every February, FilmGate connects attendees with artists who use new technologies to engage audiences with innovative storytelling techniques. Advertising and marketing agencies, actors, filmmakers, and gaming companies from all over the world will be presenting and networking throughout the three-day festival. Guests will participate in interactive media screenings, virtual and augmented reality experiences, immersive exhibits, creative installations, new technology workshops, film and acting panels, networking happy hours, and live entertainment.
“The University has wonderful facilities to support our programs, from screenings at the Bill Cosford Cinema to hands-on workshops in the Koenigsberg & Nadal Interactive Media Center and the production studios,” added Alexander.
University of Miami School of Communication interactive media students will also be showcasing their work at the annual Tech Playground, a festival program that provides hands-on experiences for attendees to interact with new and exciting creative technologies.
“It’s a great opportunity for [UM] students to meet the companies and the creators that we bring in because they are the studios and tech companies that will be hiring them after they graduate. For us, it’s a great partnership because we get supported by students and faculty that actually understand the process and the essence of FilmGate Interactive,” says Alexander.
FilmGate Interactive Media Festival takes place at University of Miami School of Communication Feb. 3-5. To view a full schedule of events and purchase tickets visit http://www.filmgate.miami/. UM students and faculty can get their free ticket by selecting Full Pass and using the discount code UMSTUDENT or UMFACULTY. UM alumni can get a reduced priced ticket by clicking Full Pass and using the code UMALUMNI. UM staff can get their free ticket by selecting Full Pass and using the discount code UMFACULTY. Students, faculty, and staff must bring their Cane Card on the day of the event.
