2018

Albuquerque Journal

IAIA, Santa Fe Independent Film Fest team up to screen spherical films 

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IAIA, Santa Fe Independent Film Fest team up to screen spherical films

The virtual reality and augmented reality world moves at a quick rate.

And the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival is recognizing that.

The annual event is teaming up with the Institute of American Indian Arts to screen films on its state-of-the-art Digital Dome.

This new addition to the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival's diverse programming will not only allow SFIFF to screen the most cutting-edge spherical films, but also invite the audience to experience the incredible 360 degree experience of the IAIA Digital Dome.

The IAIA Digital Dome is the world's only fully articulating dome.

It rotates from 0 to 90 degrees, and can be positioned at the ceiling or floor, offering multiple viewing experiences.

IAIA students have been working in, and creating content for, the Digital Dome since it opened in 2010.

Jacques Paisner, SFIFF executive director, said the festival and IAIA have had a partnership for about six years.

"The Digital Dome is a really fascinating facility," Paisner said. "We feel like we need to be on the cutting edge of the medium of filmmaking and creativity. It made a lot of sense for us to partner with them in the same capacity."

Paisner said with IAIA's up-and-coming film program, the festival is able to showcase to a new audience.

"We do have our eye out for some of the creators of full-dome films," Paisner said. "It's our chance to expand into VR and AR."

Paisner said he's been to the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, AFI Fest in Los Angeles, Sundance Film Festival in Utah and Festival de Cannes in France, and each one of those festivals had programming dealing with virtual reality and augmented reality.

"It's going to be a good thing for Santa Fe," Paisner said. "To give people a chance to dip their fingers in different forms of VR and AR will be something different and new."

Mats Reiniusson, assistant professor and Dome manager, is looking forward to the collaboration.

"It makes total sense that the IAIA Digital Dome should be part of the SFIFF--due to both organizations being located in Santa Fe," Reiniusson said. "IAIA has a state-of-the-art immersive film theater, and immersive 360 film is the new upcoming format for film festivals on the frontline."

By Adrian Gomez

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