WCSFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2

9:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Pre-Congress Tokyo Tours
Start your trip to Japan right with a free city tour to Sensouji Temple (Asakusa) or teamLab Planets TOKYO before Congress officially opens. These exceptional city tours are generously supported by Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

12:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Registration Desk & Member Lounge Open

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Immersive // Dome Screening: NINJABOYS: Quest for the Cosmic Front, Ep. 1 - Friends in the Solar System
D: Haruna Kimura, NHK, Japan
Three ninja friends from a popular Japanese 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.

12:45 PM - 6:00 PM
Immersive: Headset VR
Enjoy a selection of VR experiences.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Ideas Salon: Technology of Tomorrow
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.

Session Producers
Denzel Dome, Knowledge and Creative Communities Producer, Wellcome (UK) Maia Krall Fry, Head of Knowledge & Creative Communities, Wellcome (UK)

Speakers
Sean Bonner, Director, Safecast (Japan)
Kanako Harada, Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo (Japan)
Bektur Ryskeldiev, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Nature Group, University of Tsukuba (Japan)
Chacha Suriajaya, Associate Professor, Kyushu University (Japan)
Mitsuaki Takemi, Project Researcher, The University of Tokyo (Japan)

1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Immersive: Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos®
Experience the astonishing image and sound quality made possible with Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos® audio system.

1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: ARTE Germany/ARTE G.E.I.E
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speakers
Marita Hübinger, Senior Commissioing Editor, ZDF/ARTE (Germany)
Alexander von Harling, Head of Specialist Factual, ARTE G.E.I.E (Germany)

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Meet the UK Broadcasters
Britain’s top decision makers talk about one of the biggest factual markets on the planet and what they’re looking for in content. Sponsored by ITV Studios

Session Producer
Lucie Ridout, Executive Producer, Arrow Media (UK)

Moderator
Sara Ramsden, Creative Director, Love Productions (UK)

Speakers
Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual, ITV (UK)
Fatima Salaria, Head of Specialist Factual, Channel 4 (UK)
Simon Young, Commissioning Editor, History, BBC (UK)

2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Immersive: 8K & 8K:VR
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!

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: ZDF
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Johannes Geiger, Editor, ZDF German Television (Germany)
Nikolas Hülbusch, Project Manager Coproduction and Development Factual, ZDF Enterprises GmbH (Germany)

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Ideas Salon: Biggest Breakthroughs
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.

Session Producers
Denzel Dome, Knowledge and Creative Communities Producer, Wellcome (UK)
Maia Krall Fry, Head of Knowledge & Creative Communities, Wellcome (UK)

Speakers Rei Akaishi, Unit Leader, RIKEN Center for Brain Science (Japan)
Shinya Fujii, Associate Professor, Keio University (Japan)
Christine Houser, Assistant Professor, Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan)
Margaret Mars Brisbin, PhD Candidate, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (Japan)
Don Warren, Research Scientist, RIKEN (Japan)

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Getting to Know You
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)

Session Producer & Moderator
Lucinda Axelsson, Executive Producer, Oxford Scientific Films (UK)

Speakers
Fabrice Esteve, Producer, YUZU Productions (France)
Paul Heaney, CEO, TCB Media Rights (UK)
Tom Koch, Vice President, PBS International (USA)
Joseph Maxwell, Head of Documentaries, SBS (Australia)
Caitlin Saks, Producer, NOVA | WGBH (USA)
Claudia Zenkert, Head of Science and Nature, taglicht media Film- und Fernsehproduktion GmbH (Germany)

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: NOVA
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speakers
Julia Cort, Deputy Executive Producer, NOVA (USA)
Chris Schmidt, Co-Executive Producer, NOVA (USA)
Melanie Wallace, Senior Series Producer, NOVA/WGBH Educational Foundation (USA)

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM
Pitch Us!
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 Producers
Yuri Sudo, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)
Yuta Tanimura, Manager of Learning and Collaboration Development Division, Miraikan - National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Japan)

Speakers
Roei Amit, Head of Digital Productions, Réunion des Musées Nationaux Grand Palais (France)
Ulrich Kernbach, Museum Director, Exhibitions and Collections, Deutsches Museum (Germany)
Majed Z. Samman, Head of Performing Arts, Ithra, King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Saudi Arabia)
Maholo Uchida, Curator, Miraikan - National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Japan)

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Micro Meeting: BBC Studios
Join senior executives from BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit and Science Unit for a content presentation from their diverse portfolios and networking drinks. Meet Andrew Cohen, Head of Science Unit; Jo Shinner, Executive Producer Natural History Unit; Nicola Cook, Senior Head of Development Science; Susan Aarste–Tuyn, Production Executive; and Emma Ong, Senior Manager Business Development.

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: Sandbox Films
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Jessica Harrop, Supervising Producer, Sandbox Films (USA)

5:45 PM - 7:00 PM
Explore the Miraikan
Congress members have exclusive access to the permanent collection spaces (Create Your Future, 3rd floor; Discover Your Earth, access from 3rd floor; Explore the Frontiers, 5th floor) at the Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. During this special access for Congress members, the Miraikan has generously arranged for docents at all permanent exhibitions.

5:45 PM - 7:00 PM
JNTO Regional Sake Tasting
Stop by the Viewing Lounge for some Japanese snacks and a special Sake and Shochu tasting. Meet up with old friends and forge connections with new colleagues at this special JNTO welcome cocktail celebrating the first day of Congress 2019! Hosted by the Japan National Tour Organization (JNTO).

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Congress '19 Opening Night Reception
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—spanning six metres in diameter and made up of more than 10 million pixels!) As we open the Congress ‘19, the Geo-Cosmos, alongside a very special sake barrel ceremony, will kick off this year's event in style. Hosted by NHK in partnership with the Miraikan.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Registration Desk & Member Lounge Open

9:00 AM - 10:45 AM
What's the Buzz
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 Producers
Yoko Imai, Executive Producer, NHK Enterprises (Japan)
Takehiro Asai, Executive Producer, NHK (Japan)

Speaker
Allie Sakakibara, Senior Manager of Product Strategy & Growth, Discovery (Japan)

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Break

11:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Immersive: NHK Labs & Fuji TV
Japan has an impressive reputation for leading the development of new ways to experience content. Come see the creativity, innovation and ingenuity for yourself.

11:15 AM - 6:00 PM
Immersive: Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos®
Experience the astonishing image and sound quality made possible with Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos® audio system.

11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: CuriosityStream
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Jorge Franzini, Director of Programming and Development, CuriosityStream (USA)

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Immersive // Dome Screening: 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.

11:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Immersive: Tutankhamen Room Scale VR
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.

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
The Future Is Here: 2020
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! Sponsored by Underknown.

Session Producer
Dan Kendall, Creative Director, Windfall Films (UK)

Moderator
Sam Barcroft, CEO, Barcroft Studios (UK)

Speakers
Kohta Asakura, YouTube Originals Regional Lead, Head of Development, APAC, YouTube (Japan)
Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual, ITV (UK)
Kevin Lieber, Producer, Vsauce (USA)
Deborah Papiernik, SVP New Business & Strategic Alliances, Ubisoft (France)
Carolyn Payne, Commissioning Editor, National Geographic (UK)
Fatima Salaria, Head of Specialist Factual, Channel 4 (UK)

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Notre Dame: The Inside Story
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’s historic construction, its brush with disaster and the efforts to rebuild and restore.

Session Producer
Fabrice Esteve, Producer, YUZU Productions (France)

Speakers
Catherine Alvaresse, Head of Documentaries, France Télévisions (France)
Thierry Caillibot, Producer/Head of Content, Galaxie (France)
Fabrice Coat, Executive Producer, Program 33 (France)
Stéphane Millière, CEO, Gedeon Media (France)
Christie Molia, Producer, Tournez S'il Vous Plaît (France)

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
8K Masterclass
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)

Moderator
Shin Yasuda, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)

Speakers
Takumi Hisaizumi, , Ride Inc. (Japan)
Mika Kanaya, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)
Atsushi Murayama, Chief of Secretariat for 8K Production, NHK (Japan)
Takeshi Shibasaki, Senior Producer, Science Programs Division, NHK (Japan)

11:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Immersive: Headset VR
Enjoy a selection of VR experiences.

11:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Immersive: 8K & 8K:VR
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!

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Immersive // Dome Screening: Cosmic Front, Ep. 2 - Time Travel
D: Pascal Roulin, NHK, Japan
All aboard on our spacecraft. Join our time travel. Fantasy? Yes and no. If we were able to control time and space, we may be able to travel beyond them.‬

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Micro Meeting: Shih Hsin University & Chinese Science Communication Association (CSCA)
Discover the true beauty of Taiwan. In this micro-meeting, the awarded producers and scientists will present astounding films about Taiwan’s entomology, soil science, agriculture, indigenous tribes, food, environment, risks, advanced technology, and so much more. The programs all demonstrate a solid science basis and fascinating cultural wisdom.

12:45 PM - 1:15 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: Tencent
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Stephanie Sun, International Producer, Tencent (China)

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: BBC
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Simon Young, Commissioning Editor, History, BBC (UK)

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Immersive // Dome Screening: Cosmic Front, Ep. 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 research and theories. The universe is full of marvels.‬

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: ARTE France
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speakers
Marie Beuzard, Commissioning Editor, ARTE (France)
Hélène Coldefy, Head of Science & Factual Department, ARTE (France)
Céline Payot-Lehmann, Head of Distribution and Presales, ARTE (France)

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: YouTube
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Kohta Asakura, YouTube Originals Regional Lead, Head of Development, APAC, YouTube (Japan)

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Crossing the Divide
Called "eye-popping" and "essential viewing," the award-winning feature documentary Human Nature explores some of the biggest controversies surrounding genetic engineering and the revolutionary technology known as CRISPR. The story of the film’s production is just as fascinating. Hear how a filmmaker with no science background and a PhD cell biologist with no filmmaking experience worked side by side with the aim of revolutionizing how science programs are made.

Session Producers
Adam Bolt, Filmmaker, Wonder Collaborative (USA)
Sarah Goodwin, Executive Director, Wonder Collaborative (USA)

Speaker
Elliot Kirschner, Executive Producer, Wonder Collaborative (USA)

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
WTF Is Your Digital Strategy?
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)

Speakers
Sam Barcroft, CEO, Barcroft Studios (UK)
Steve Hulford, Co-Founder & CEO, Underknown (Canada)
Mariko Ide, Producer, Yahoo! Japan (Japan)
Danielle Steinberg, Digital Lead, Content and Strategy, PBS NATURE (USA)

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
An Inconvenient Disaster
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 the same week that NHK releases its most ambitious docu-drama ever on the impact of a massive earthquake, we’ll explore how to leverage media to tell stories of impending disaster and strike a responsible balance.

Session Producer
Takahiro Hamano, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)

Speakers
Rick Loverd, Program Director, National Academy of Sciences (USA)
Kay Siering, Managing Director and Producer, SPIEGEL TV (Germany)
Minori Takao, NHK World News Anchor, NHK (Japan)

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Immersive // Dome Screening: 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.‬‬‬‬

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Break

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Co-Producing with China
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 FreshPitch, an international documentary forum held annually in Suzhou Province.

Session Producer
Long Xiao, Co-Founder, FreshPitch Factual Content Conference (China)

Speakers
Vikram Channa, VP of Production & Partnerships, Discovery Networks (Singapore)
Yuqi Ning, Director of Factual Content, iQiyi (China)
Stephanie Sun, International Producer, Tencent (China)
Yuan Tian, Head, International Acquisitions and Co-Production, CCTV Documentary Channel (China)
Yuanyuan Wang, Head of Film & TV Division, CICC (China)
Bo Zhang, Head of International Co-production, bilibili (China)

4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Big Screen Storytelling: A Dome Masterclass
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.

Session Producer
Mark Atkin, Director, Crossover Labs (UK)

Speakers
Ryan Jackson, President & Creative Director, Full Circle Visuals Inc. (Canada)
Michitaro Koike, Software Engineer, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (Japan)
Satoshi Miyazaki, Dr. Sci., Professor, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (Japan)
Paul Mowbray, Executive Producer, NSC Creative (UK)
Julia Redwood, Joint Managing Director, Prospero Productions (Australia)
Kazunari Nonobe, Program Director, NHK Science (Japan)

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Spark of Inspiration: The Robot Master
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.

Session Producer
Naoto Kamimura, Producer, enjin productions (Japan)

Speaker
Hiroshi Ishiguro, Professor, Osaka University (Japan)

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Micro Meeting: France Télévisions
French Touch – France.tv
France.tv will present their upcoming projects. Come learn about potential co-production opportunities, exciting primetime events, the evolution of editorial line at france.tv and their future plans for international co-productions. Pre-registration is full. Same-day entry will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis once all members on the pre-registration list have taken their seats.

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Speed Dating
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.

Session Producer
Madelaine Russo, Industry Programmer, Hot Docs (Canada)

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Immersive // Dome Screening: Vestige and Noesis

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 visualizations of scientific and philosophical concepts scored with original music, suggest new possibilities for Dome Theatre as an art space.

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Garden Party
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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4

8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Registration Desk & Member Lounge Open

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Immersive: Headset VR
Enjoy a selection of VR experiences.

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Pompeii—Bringing History to Life: A Masterclass
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)

Speaker
Stéphane Millière, CEO, Gedeon Media (France)

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
AI, Deepfakes & What Every Producer Needs to Know
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)

Moderator
Miles O'Brien, President, Miles OBrien Productions, LLC (USA)

Speakers
Sheila Hayman, Director's Fello, MIT Media Lab (UK)
Kay Meseberg, Head of Mission Innovation, ARTE G.E.I.E (France)
Satoshi Negoro, Chief Operating Officer, Spectee Inc. (Japan)
Tom Van de Weghe, Investigative Journalist, VRT NWS (Belgium)

9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Immersive: 8K & 8K:VR
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!

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Millennials Rising—The Sequel
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 millennial 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 Producers
Judy Rymer, Producer/Director, Rymer Childs (Australia) Grace Simmons, Production Assistant, Rymer Childs (Australia)

Moderator
Derek Mead, Executive Editor, Vice Media (USA)

Speakers
Cathy Cat, Journalist, Host, Actress, (Japan)
Trace Dominguez, Creator/Producer, Trace Elements Media (USA)
Takahiro Hamano, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)
Richard Huddleston, Manager of Development, Factual, Entertainment and Partnerships, ABC (Australia)
Greg Lam, Filmmaker, Life Where I'm From (Japan)
Carolyn Payne, Commissioning Editor, National Geographic (UK)
Matthew Shribman, Scientist/Environmentalist/Musician, (UK)
Jonah Weston, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 (UK)

9:30 AM - 10:10 AM
Immersive // Dome Screening: 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. ‬‬‬‬

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Break

10:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Immersive: Tutankhamen Room Scale VR
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.

10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Immersive: NHK Labs & Fuji TV
Japan has an impressive reputation for leading the development of new ways to experience content. Come see the creativity, innovation and ingenuity for yourself.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: NHK
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Takako Ishikawa, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)

10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Immersive: Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos®
Experience the astonishing image and sound quality made possible with Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos® audio system.

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Can We Save the Planet?
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? Sponsored by PBS, PBS International and NOVA.

Session Producer
Clare Birks, CEO, Oxford Scientific Films (UK)

Session Producer & Moderator
Alison Leigh, Senior Consultant, WCSFP (Australia)

Speakers
Catherine Alvaresse, Head of Documentaries, France Télévisions (France)
Lee Constable, Presenter/Producer, Network 10/Freelance (Australia)
Tom Coveney, Commissioning Editor Factual (Specialist Factual), BBC (UK)
Bill Gardner, VP, Programming & Development, PBS (USA)
Walter Köhler, CEO, Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH (Austria)
Takahiro Otsuka, Producer, Fuji Television Network (Japan)
Matthew Shribman, Scientist/Environmentalist/Musician, (UK)

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
How to Game Your Audience
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, Omnislash, Inc. (USA)

Speakers
Ken Kawashima, Global Account Manager, JP GAMES INC. (Japan)
Kevin Lieber, Producer, Vsauce (USA)
Deborah Papiernik, SVP New Business & Strategic Alliances, Ubisoft (France)
Caitlin Saks, Producer, NOVA | WGBH (USA)

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
From Mirrors to Movers
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.

Session Producer
Ken MacDonald, Consultant, Underknown (Canada)

Moderator
Miles O'Brien, President, Miles OBrien Productions, LLC (USA)

Speakers
Naoki Hosoda, Senior Producer, NHK (Japan)
Gerd Maria May, CEO, Room of Solutions (Denmark)
Kevin Newman, Journalist/Presenter, NewMan Media Ltd. (Canada)

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Micro Meeting: NHK
Meet the NHK producers. Get inspired by their creative production. The giveaway is their unique and wild ideas: never-before-seen artistic stories told through a new ultra sensitive 8K camera, a totally new approach to elucidate the origin of food, and an innovative documentary captured with 100 action cameras. Don't miss this opportunity for a sneak peek at what's inside the NHK producers' minds.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch

12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: SBS
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speakers
Susie Jones, Commissioning Editor, SBS (Australia)
Joseph Maxwell, Head of Documentaries, SBS (Australia)

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Immersive // Dome Screening: 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.

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: France Télévisions
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speakers

Catherine Alvaresse, Head of Documentaries, France Télévisions (France)
Caroline Behar, Head of International Coproductions & Acquisitions, France Télévisions (France)
Thierry Mino, Deputy Head Of Documentaries & Acquisitions, France Télévisions (France)

1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: Blue Ant Media
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speakers
Steve Gamester, Executive Producer, Saloon Media (Canada)
Nick Solowski, Director, International Sales and Acquisitions, Blue Ant Media (Canada)
Carlyn Staudt, EVP, Love Nature Programming and Development, Love Nature/Blue Ant Media (USA)

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Revising History: Myth vs. Reality
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.

Session Producer & Moderator
Tom Koch, Vice President, PBS International (USA)

Speakers
Bill Gardner, VP, Programming & Development, PBS (USA)
Kate Harrison, President, Cream Productions (Canada)
Simon Young, Commissioning Editor, History, BBC (UK)

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Seeing Is Believing
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 Producers
Joy Ng, Producer, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (USA)
Kate Pappas, Creative Producer, Wilding Productions (Australia)

Speaker
Nicola Cook, Director of Development, Science, BBC Studios (UK)
Michael Grotenhoff, Producer, Filmtank (Germany)
Yoshiyuki Ito, CG/VFX Technical Director, NHK Technical Operation & Engineering Center (Japan)
Dan Kendall, Creative Director, Windfall Films (UK)
Yoshinori Tsutsui, Chief Director, NHK Science (Japan)

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Is Drama the Death of Natural History?
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 and fiction and debate how far we can go.

Session Producer
Emily Baustien, Development Manager, Discovery, Inc. (USA)

Session Producer & Moderator
Lucinda Axelsson, Executive Producer, Oxford Scientific Films (UK)

Speakers
Judith Curran, Executive Producer, NHNZ (New Zealand)
Wendy Darke, Founder/CEO, True to Nature (UK)
Jo Shinner, Executive Producer, Natural History Unit, BBC Studios (UK)
Alexander von Harling, Head of Specialist Factual, ARTE G.E.I.E (Germany)

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: Science Channel
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Marc Etkind, General Manager, Science Channel (USA)

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: Yahoo! Japan
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Mariko Ide, Producer, Yahoo! Japan (Japan)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Why Space Is Hot
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.

Session Producer
Jonathan Hewes, CEO, Pioneer Productions (UK)

Moderator
Miles O'Brien, President, Miles OBrien Productions, LLC (USA)

Speakers
Catherine Alvaresse, Head of Documentaries, France Télévisions (France)
Andrew Cohen, Head, Science Unit, BBC Studios (UK)
Marc Etkind, General Manager, Science Channel (USA)
Bill Margol, Sr. Director, Programming & Development, PBS (USA)
Jonah Weston, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 (UK)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Future of History
An inside look at how programmers and producers are attracting a new generation of audiences to history programming. Sponsored by ARTE Distribution.

Session Producers & Moderators
Jens Afflerbach, Creative Director, Story House Media Group (Germany)
Sigrun Laste, Executive Producer/Director, Story House Productions GmbH (Germany)

Speakers
Peter Arens, Managing Director Culture and Science, ZDF German Televison (Germany)
Alex Hryniewicz, Head of Owned Channels, Little Dot Studios (UK)
Marita Hübinger, Senior Commissioing Editor, ZDF/ARTE (Germany)
Simon Young, Commissioning Editor, History, BBC (UK)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Inside the Wild World of Japanese TV
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)

Session Producer & Moderator
Sayumi Horie, Executive Producer, Global Content Development Division, NHK (Japan)

Speakers
Kazuteru Hayashi, Senior Producer, NHK Youth and Education (Japan)
Jun Matsuzawa, Deputy General Manager, Production Division, TV Tokyo Corporation (Japan)
Akihiko Nakai, Senior Producer, NHK Science (Japan)
Takayuki Ueda, Chief Producer, Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation (Japan)

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
Break

4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Mission Critical: Breaking Science & Secret Data
How do you make a film about a scientific discovery when the science has to remain top secret until release? In 2019, two remarkable films did this in very different ways. One revealed the incredible journey of capturing the world's first image of a black hole. The other, the discovery of a massive post-asteroid-apocalypse trove of mammal fossils. What does it take to make a film about breaking science while under editorial, production and distribution constraints, with a release under tight embargo and astounding pressure. Come hear from the filmmakers who lived to tell the tale. Sponsored by HHMI Tangled Bank Studios.

Session Producers
Anne Tarrant, Managing Director, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios (USA)
John Rubin, Executive Producer, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios (USA)

Moderator
Sonya Pemberton, Creative Director, Genepool Productions (Australia)

Speakers John Rubin, Executive Producer, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios (USA)
Dan Kendall, Creative Director, Windfall Films (UK)

4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Godzilla Meets Congress
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 & Moderator
Ruth Berry, Consultant, Terra Mater Factual Studios (Austria)

Speakers
Ryan Calsbeek, Associate Professor, Dartmouth College (USA) Rick Loverd, Program Director, National Academy of Sciences (USA) Yuji Sakai, CEO, Sakai Yuji Molding Studio (Japan)

4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Who's Not Watching & Why
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 gain some insights on how to create science and history content that attracts audiences we might be missing.

Session Producers
Samantha Yammine, Science Communicator, (Canada)
Andrew Nisker, Founder, Take Action Films (Canada)

Session Producer & Speaker
Jessica Mudry, Professor, Ryerson University (Canada)

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Micro Meeting: CICC
Join CICC for a cocktail and find new approaches to cooperate with China and get new ideas, partnerships, stories from China’s longest-established co-production documentary company.

Session Producer
Madelaine Russo, Industry Programmer, Hot Docs (Canada)

5:45 PM - 7:45 PM
Congress Drinks
Before heading out to explore the incredible city of Tokyo on the final night of Congress, come join us for a drink or two as we celebrate the end of Congress.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5

9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Registration Desk & Member Lounge Open

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Immersive: 8K & 8K:VR
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!

9:30 AM - 10:10 AM
Immersive // Dome Screening: Capturing the Universe & Kabuki Dance

Capturing the Universe (D: Takumi Hisaizumi, NHK, Japan)
"I want to catch a star." A young physicist pursues his childhood dream and endeavours to reveal the unknown structures of archaeological sites using 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.

9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Immersive: Headset VR
Enjoy a selection of VR experiences.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Whose Truth Is It Anyway?
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 Producers
Jenna Al-Ansari, Knowledge and Creative Communities Producer, Wellcome (UK)
Maia Krall Fry, Head of Knowledge & Creative Communities, Wellcome (UK)

Speakers
Carolyn Payne, Commissioning Editor, National Geographic (UK)
Imran Khan, Head of Public Engagement, Wellcome (UK)
Caroline Behar, Head of International Coproductions & Acquisitions, France Télévisions (France)

9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Immersive: Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos®
Experience the astonishing image and sound quality made possible with Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos® audio system.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Killer Ratings: Why Crime Pays
It’s one of the most successful factual genres ever created. From streaming services to podcasts and entire networks dedicated entirely to crime, it seems viewers can’t get enough. We delve into the mystery 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)

Moderator
Sara Ramsden, Creative Director, Love Productions (UK)

Speakers
Ed Hersh, Founder & Principal, StoryCentric (USA)
Carsten Oblaender, Co-President/CEO, Story House Productions (USA)
Fatima Salaria, Head of Specialist Factual, Channel 4 (UK)
Navid Bahadori, Executive Producer, Broken Yellow (Australia)

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: Channel 4
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Fatima Salaria, Head of Specialist Factual, Channel 4 (UK)

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Inspire Me!
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.

Session Producer
Emma Parkins, Executive Producer, Alleycats Films (UK)

Speakers
Serena Ajbani, Producer, AJ+ (USA)
Vikram Channa, VP of Production & Partnerships, Discovery Networks (Singapore)
Bill Margol, Sr. Director, Programming & Development, PBS (USA)
Carolyn Payne, Commissioning Editor, National Geographic (UK)
Matthew Shribman, Scientist/Environmentalist/Musician, (UK)
Allie Sakakibara, Senior Manager of Product Strategy & Growth, Discovery (Japan)

11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: NDR
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speakers
Ralf Quibeldey, Head of Natural History and Discovery Programmes, NDR Television/ARD Network (Germany)
Marc Brasse, Commissioning Editor for History, NDR/North German Broadcasting Corporation (Germany)

12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Lunch

12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: National Geographic
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speaker
Cooper Brooks, Producer, Development & Talent, National Geographic (USA)

12:30 PM - 01:00 PM*
Immersive // Dome Screening: 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. ‬‬‬‬

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Close Encounters of the Funding Kind: PBS
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.

Session Producer
Stephanie McArthur, Industry Programs Manager, Hot Docs (Canada)

Speakers
Bill Gardner, VP, Programming & Development, PBS (USA) Bill Margol, Sr. Director, Programming & Development, PBS (USA)

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Spark of Inspiration: Queer Nature
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 LGBTQ activist, Brigitte was recently appointed rector of EAN University in Bogotá and previously was 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)

Speaker
Brigitte Baptiste, Biologist, EAN - University (Colombia)

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Science in 60 Seconds
Watch the winning videos from our one-minute science contest and see who takes the grand prize.

Session Producer
Matthew Shribman, Scientist/Environmentalist/Musician, (UK)

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Members Plenary
Members are invited to join the WCSFP Board of Directors to contribute ideas and feedback and find out about future plans.

IMMERSIVE: ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

8K & 8K:VR

8K: Compilation film (40 min) This showcase of NHK’s latest 8K films offers a new way of storytelling, creating the ultimate immersive viewing experience. Enjoy a sky-high view of the Tibetan Plateau in magnificently brilliant colours or dive into the crystalline waters of Mexican cenote caves. See how these ultra-high-definition images can unlock the Mayan mystery of a lost jade mask or tell the epic story of Okavango in its full aesthetic glory through the eyes of Indigenous river people.

8K:VR: Aoi–Sakanaction and Tokyo Victory
The world's first content for 8K:VR theatre, Aoi–Sakanaction presents a live performance by Japanese band Sakanaction (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' hit song "Tokyo Victory." Produced by NHK Enterprises and NHK Technologies, with Recochoku Labs and WONDER VISION TECHNO LABORATORY.

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 part of Beyond the Frame: 8K Future Projects, a joint research project between the Ars Electronica Futurelab and NHK.

8K:VR: 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 floor to ceiling.

HEADSET VR

Age-Old Cities VR (Ubisoft, France)
Journey from Palmyra to Mosul to visit six iconic monuments. Walk through the ancient sites and feel the splendour of places that are our 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.

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 off limits due to radioactive contamination, but this experience gives you access to the neighbourhood, 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 Pompeii 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.

NHK LABS & FUJI TV

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 favourite 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.

2019 Schedule