French Immersion XR launched in April 2023 as a joint initiative of Unifrance, the Institut Français, and the CNC, with the aim of providing support to creators and producers of immersive works so they may travel to the sector's benchmark international festivals.
After a first year, when 21 trips were supported in 13 territories, we are continuing and reinforcing our funding in 2024, by developing the scheme's outlines.
With the exception of the USA, which is covered by the French Immersion program run by Villa Albertine, French Immersion XR is deployed at some thirty events worldwide.
To respond to the needs of professionals and the rapid evolution of the sector, we have added two models to existing support:
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Travel assistance extended to distributors
Distributors of immersive works will be eligible for this support for List 1 festivals, with priority given to directors and producers. It will be possible to access one of the two fundi proposed per festival selection, subject to the agreement of the producer. Distribution companies will be eligible for support a maximum of three times a year.
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More widely available support
Henceforth, creators and producers will be able to access travel funding for selections in non-competitive sections, international markets, and selections in competitions to finance their works.
French immersion XR 2024, the grants
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For works selected for List 1 festivals:
Two lump-sum travel grants are available for all French works selected at List 1 festivals (to the creator, producer or distributor). With a maximum of 5 festival selections per work per year.
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For works selected for List 2 or non-list festivals:
A fixed-sum travel grant limited to one application per year and per work, for a competitive selection.
By way of exception, support may be requested for a competitive selection at a festival not on this list, or in a non-competitive section (in which case, it is no longer possible to apply for other support within List 2).
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Financing meetings at international markets
Once a year, when a project has been selected for an international market, producers of immersive works can apply for grants to travel to said markets, for WIP sessions, pitching sessions or gap financing.
Assistance consists of reimbursement of travel (air and rail) and accommodation costs, up to a maximum of €300 (excl. VAT) for Europe and €1000 (excl. VAT) for the rest of the world.
List of festivals supported
List 1 events
EUROPE
- Venice International Film Festival , Italy
- BFI London Film Festival, United Kingdom
- Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF), Swizterland
- IDFA - International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Stereopsia Bruxelles, Belgium
- European XR Awards Gala in Bruxelles, Belgium
- Immersive Tech Week à Rotterdam, VR Awards in Rotterdam, Netherlands
CANADA
- FIVARS Toronto
ASIA
- BIFAN, South Korea
- Kaohsiung Film Festival (KFF)Kaohsiung Film Festival (KFF), Taiwan
- Sandbox, China
- Beyond the Frame Tokyo, Japan
List 2 events
EUROPE
- Sheffield Doc/Fest, United Kingdom
- DOK Leipzig, Germany
- Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival , Czech Republic
- Raindance Film Festival, London, United Kingdom
- VRHAM Hamburg, Germany
- Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR), Netherlands
- CPH:DOX, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Art*VR, Prague, Czech Republic
CANADA
ASIA
- Taipei Film Festival, Taiwan
SOUTH AMERICA
- Mediamorfosis festival, Chile
- Bogoshorts, Colombia
AUSTRALIA
- QLD XR Festival, Brisbane
