Inventing New Storytelling Futures.

Supported by the Girgensohn Foundation 

Grants of up to $10,000 are being offered to NIDA Alumni, or groups led by NIDA Alumni, for projects that push the boundaries of storytelling and technology.

The program aims to identify and support innovation in live storytelling using digital tools. These new, live entertainment experiences can be of any length and engage with any number of technologies. You might consider unexpected uses of old technology, or harness new technologies to offer fresh entertainment experiences. You might consider any number of XR tools. You might combine physical locations with augmented reality. You might suggest screen-based or more frameless, immersive experiences. How will liveness be embraced?

Your project might result in a finished experience or be the prototype for a bigger entertainment idea requiring further development.

Up to six projects will be awarded up to $10,000 cash, mentorship from those who specialise in the field, and access to some technological support.

How to apply

Your pitch can be in any form you wish. Written pitches need to be under 500 words. Feel free to provide a combination of modes to present your pitch.

Please ensure you cover the below:

• The story you want to tell or experience you want to provide.
• An overview of the technology, tools, and platforms you intend to use.
• Information about the team working on the project (Not all members of the team need be NIDA Alumni, but the applicant and project lead must be a NIDA graduate).
• The support you might need from NIDA.
• A basic timeline for development and delivery of the work.
• The audience you hope to reach.
• The Course you studied at NIDA and year of graduation

APPLY NOW

Applications are to be submitted via email to alumni@nida.edu.au

Timeline

• Applications close Monday 11 April 2022
• Notification of shortlisting Friday 29 April 2022

Information Session

Catch up on our NIDA X information session from 3 March to get a better understanding of what the program entails. David Berthold, NIDA's Director in Residence, is joined by guests to discuss this exciting new opportunity and answer questions from NIDA alumni.

Some Inspiring Examples

The world is full of inspiring examples. At the intersection of live performance and VR, there are experiments such as Finding Pandora X and The Tempest. Punchdrunk is working with Niantic, the leading augmented reality company, to develop “the next generation of live experience”. Gaming, as a genre of interactive narrative art, has given us the beautiful Never Alone, which pairs game makers with Alaska Native storytellers to delve deeply into the traditional lore of the Iñupiat people. Innchanted is an upcoming Australian game from a collective of diverse, queer, and Indigenous storytellers using Aboriginal culture as inspiration. And of course at NIDA last year, we created the wonderfully interactive Roundabout on Twitch.

NIDA X Patron