Created in 2021, NUMIX LAB is an annual international event designed to accelerate networking and encourage cooperation, co-productions, as well as the circulation of works and expertise. The aim is to federate an international community around digital creativity to facilitate collaborations between the cultural, audiovisual and technological sectors. The event is an initiative of {CORRESPONDANCES DIGITALES] and Xn Québec, the association of digital experience producers in Quebec.
The fifth edition of NUMIX LAB will take place from November 25 to 29, 2024 in Munich, Leipzig and Berlin. and will focus on the theme of sustainability of immersive experiences, approached from a variety of different angles:
- Environmental: by promoting more responsible and sustainable models of creation and production, as well as “short circuit” models of operation and distribution.
- Economic: by highlighting inspiring models for co-financing, cooperation and networking in the exploitation and distribution of immersive works.
- Social, territorial and societal inclusion: by sharing committed projects that promote diversity and inclusion in all their forms.
Sustainability of creations: by identifying ways to contribute to the sustainability of digital and immersive works.
1. 5th edition focuses on the sustainability of immersive experiences
The challenges of this fifth edition
In recent years, driven by public and private funding, a rich creative ecosystem (design studios, audiovisual producers, mapping companies, etc.) and significant technological advances, immersive experiences have multiplied and diversified both in terms of narrative models and formats. Thanks to the success of some of these productions, as well as the rise of players and solutions dedicated to distribution and exploitation, they are increasingly welcomed in a variety of venues: industrial wastelands, convention centers, shopping malls, converted heritage sites, public spaces, museums, etc.
The boom in immersive and digital creations means that we now need to focus on more sustainable, virtuous and responsible approaches.
The maturity of players in the creative and immersive ecosystem is contributing to the implementation of more eco-responsible, inclusive and economically viable approaches to the creation, production and distribution of immersive works.
This 5th edition will therefore focus on more responsible and committed creative models, cooperation and co-financing approaches that promote the economic viability of these creations, and avenues that contribute to the sustainability of these digital and immersive works:
- PRODUCTION SUSTAINABILITY: cooperation and innovation to diversify and sustain production
- SUSTAINING THE DISTRIBUTION OF WORKS: networking to develop new audiences
- ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND TERRITORIAL SUSTAINABILITY: producing and distributing in a more inclusive and respectful way
Between 200 and 250 creative studios, renowned cultural venues, distributors, property managers, local authorities and institutional partners, both European and American, are expected to attend this year’s event, which takes place from November 25 to 29, 2024 in Germany (Munich, Leipzig and Berlin).
Some new features for 2024:
In 2024, NUMIX LAB will feature three major innovations:
First of all, NUMIX LAB will continue to welcome participants from an ever-increasing diversity of nationalities. Some fifteen countries will be represented at the event. Simultaneous translation will be available in three languages: French, English and German.
Secondly, NUMIX LAB will now be “phygital”. Highlights of the event will be accessible live and recorded.
Finally, NUMIX LAB will be preparing its various participants for the event throughout the year. Studies, intelligence, interviews and webinars will be shared in the run-up to the event.
“It was the first time that I participated in the Numix lab and it was a wonderful experience and a very inspiring event for me. Participants were carefully chosen and were all really interesting. I learned a lot about current creative projects and museums projects in Europe, Québec and beyond – up to the African metaverse! In addition, I learned a lot about distribution systems in other countries for XR projects. Finally, also the input from the European Commission was very valuable for future developments. The way the Numix lab was organized is unique. I have never experienced such an intense input in a very relaxed way: professionally organized B2B meetings, talks and panel discussions as well as visits of museums and cultural institutions that gave great opportunity for informal talks. We are very happy to host this wonderful event in Germany in 2024.
Silke Schmidt, XR HUB Bavaria, Munich, Germany
Preliminary programming :
Munich (November 25-26) – Broadcast sustainability
In Munich, on November 25 and 26, the event will focus on the sustainability of productions, emphasizing cooperation and innovation to better distribute experiences, for example by diversifying the distribution of digital assets to promote their longevity. In-depth exchanges will explore multi-format, with presentations on the business needs of different types of buyers.
Participants will also have the opportunity to discover Bavaria’s immersive ecosystem through business meetings and visits to cultural venues. An outstanding example will be presented: the European Patent Office (EPO) invited Ars Electronica to organize an exhibition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Patent Convention. The exhibition, located in a 1,000 m² cultural space in the basement of the EPO headquarters, will showcase media works related to the organization’s missions, tackling innovative topics such as big data and artificial intelligence.
Leipzig (November 27) – Focus on networking
On November 27 in Leipzig, the focus will be on the challenges facing immersive theaters, particularly in terms of networking. A presentation of a network of independent immersive galleries will open the day, followed by dedicated networking sessions to facilitate business meetings with representatives of the Saxony ecosystem. A special focus will be placed on the Kunstkraftwerk, a former power plant converted into a digital arts center, offering contemporary artistic programming at the crossroads of exhibitions, live performances and installations.
Berlin (November 28-29) – Sustainability in the production of artworks + Environmental, societal and territorial sustainability
Taking place in Berlin on November 28 and 29, the event will focus on the sustainability of work production, with a particular emphasis on environmentally, socially and territorially responsible production. Participants will discover Berlin’s immersive ecosystem, with detailed presentations to increase their knowledge of the market. Visits to Berlin’s cultural venues, such as the Humboldt Forum, will enable participants to meet local teams and take part in technical tours on specific themes.
The Humboldt Forum, located in the center of Berlin, is a new hub for culture and science created by the alliance of four major players: the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Kulturprojekte Berlin, Stadtmuseum Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Humboldt Forum Foundation.
The Berlin days will also feature inspiring panels on dissemination and eco-responsibility, as well as encounters with territorial hubs, venues, and projects focused on public space. These discussions will aim to promote more inclusive and environmentally-friendly production and dissemination methods, while developing new audiences for immersive works.
2. Introducing NUMIX LAB
Looking back on previous editions
To find out more, take a look at some of the previous editions:
- Hybridity at the heart of cultural and immersive experiences: feedback from the 4th edition of NUMIX LAB 2023
- 3rd edition of NUMIX LAB, a French-speaking event dedicated to immersion: France, Germany and Luxembourg.
- {REPLAY] – 2nd Canadian edition of NUMIX LAB: 5 days of visits and 8 sources of inspiration.
- NUMIX LABfollowing the first edition of the Francophone digital immersion laboratory.
Our unique meeting formats for cultural immersion:
For one week, NUMIX LAB brings together 200 to 250 members of the international cultural immersive creation ecosystem (production, exhibition, distribution) to :
- Get inspired by visiting innovative venues: museums, art centers, theaters, cinemas, immersive rooms, etc.
- Exchange best practices through panels, workshops and conferences.
- Encourage co-production through networking opportunities: supplier pitches, B2B meetings and informal discussions.
It fosters encounters and collaboration between three types of players:
- Creators: studios, artists and audiovisual producers,
- Cultural venues: museums, art centers, public venues,
- Public and private financial partners: foundations, national and regional funds.
- After four editions in Europe and Canada, which have helped build a solid French-speaking ecosystem around immersion and fostered the development of numerous international co-productions, NUMIX LAB will hold its 5th edition in Munich, Leipzig and Berlin from November 25 to 29, 2024.
“For Paris Musées, a partner to all NUMIX LAB, NUMIX LAB was an opportunity to implement innovative new formats in the museums of the City of Paris. For example, at the Carnavalet museum, a bone conduction listening terminal. More generally, the richness of the exchanges and the quality of the companies’ projects led the public establishment Paris Musées to open a Call for Expressions of Interest in 2023 for “Innovative and immersive digital approaches on the theme of the History of Paris in support of the collections of the museums of the City of Paris”, communicated to all participating companies at NUMIX LAB. A dozen collaborations between 2024 and 2026 are currently being defined (between Paris Musées and companies from the French-speaking world NUMIX LAB).”
Scarlett Greco, Paris Musées (Paris, FRA)
Team and partners :
{CORRESPONDANCES DIGITALES] was founded by Antoine Roland in 2012 and recently joined by Christophe Salomon, a recognized immersive audiovisual expert. Combining their heritage and audiovisual expertise, they support cultural venues, digital cultural projects and territories in France and abroad.
Xn Québec brings together Quebec’s producers of digital experiences. With nearly 200 member studios, the organization represents the interests of the industry to public and government institutions, brings creators together and promotes the excellence of digital creativity, in Quebec and internationally.
It will be carried out in partnership with the XR Hub Bavaria trade association, with the support of the French Embassy and the Délégation générale du Québec en Allemagne.
