FIVARS Celebrates a Decade of Immersive Storytelling

The 10th Annual Festival of International Virtual & Augmented Reality Stories Presents Over 60 New XR Experiences

Toronto, Canada (October 3, 2024)—The FIVARS Festival of International Virtual & Augmented Reality Stories marks its 10th anniversary with a showcase of new immersive narrative experiences. The festival will feature over 60 XR (Extended Reality) projects, including 17 World premieres, 13 North American premieres, and 20 Canadian premieres from more than 20 countries, including Croatia, Japan, Germany, Serbia, Brazil, South Korea, Qatar, Belgium, and Taiwan.

A Sample of Notable Works

Besides festival circuit favorites like Emperor and The Tent, FIVARS features world premieres from 360° video to interactive installations and Augmented Reality works. Notable samples include Coffin Room, an Australian animation about the challenges faced by an elderly couple in Hong Kong; Tom House, a documentary about Tom of Finland, the renowned creator of queer erotic art; Trans-Composition features reflections inspired by the game of Go from Taiwan; and Jet of Blood, an interactive experience inspired by Artaud's Theatre of Cruelty, created by Elizabeth Goins, PhD.

"With advancing visual fidelity and performance, and every iteration of the tech becoming more accessible, high-quality international content is crucial," says FIVARS Founder and Creative Director Keram Malicki-Sánchez. "We're dedicated to showcasing innovative new works from around the globe, many independently funded, and from myriad disciplines. FIVARS is not a festival about technology; it's about people wanting to connect more deeply in new and evolving media."

Experience FIVARS: In-Person and Online

In-person showcases feature interactive works and installations. Online access features live VR performances, and all video content via the WebXR platform powered by a custom-built version of the JanusXR engine co-developed by Malicki-Sánchez and its lead developer, James Baicoianu. All tickets include online access, but online-only tickets can be purchased separately.

About FIVARS

Founded in 2015 in Toronto, FIVARS is an immersive media festival focusing on innovative VR, AR, and XR experiences. The 2024 festival is co-produced by Aimee Reynolds under the Constant Change Media Group, Inc. banner, which also produces the VRTO Spatial Media World Conference.