Signals 2023 was hosted at Bentall Centre in downtown Vancouver from October 1-7 and presented in collaboration with the Vancouver International Film Festival. Co-curated by Loc Dao (Executive Director, DigiBC), Debi Wong (Founding Artistic Director, re:Naissance Opera) and Loretta Todd (Creative Director, IM4 Media Lab), the programming explored the potential of creative technology and the role it has in shaping our shared futures.
Signals showcased over 35 interactive and immersive works that question our connections to each other, the world, and the part technology plays. It was a jam-packed week where attendees had the opportunity to play, watch and interact with the technology of tomorrow from B.C. video game studios, Canadian and Indigenous artists, and international AI and bio-wearable creators.
Signals kicked off with the opening reception on October 1 having a full house with 300+ attendees and a speaker lineup that included Minister Brenda Bailey, Valerie Creighton (CEO & President, CMF), and Shari Frilot (Founder, Sundance New Frontier), as well as a special performance from KraKin. Additional events that took place included our dedicated education days for the Centre for Digital Media and high school students which were very successful being completely full. We co-presented the Frontier Collective’s Placemaking Reception & Summit on October 3 with music provided by DJ G-Luve, hosted international delegations from Germany, Japan and Mexico, and led a private tour for Ethos Labs to explore the exhibition and further conversations about a proactive inclusion of Black youth and leaders in STEAM.
This year’s programming also included a day for IM4 Media Lab to host an Indigenous community of creative technologists, youth, educators, creators, family, and friends. The event highlighted the 20 short films produced in IM4’s first-ever Indigenous virtual production training program and had guest speakers Amelia Winger Bearskin and Casey Koyczan.
Signals had a phenomenal team supporting the event’s success. Special thanks to Kristina Lao (Lead Producer), Kyle Fostner (Executive Director, VIFF), Philip Lichti (Production Manager), Ross Albrecht (Technical Director), Robert Fiker (Software Specialist), Lara Kroeker (Marketing, Website & Social Media), Michelle Mak (CDM Volunteers & Site Support), Maia Puyat (Social Media), Ellen Reade (Special Events & Volunteer Support), Nima Najariandariani (Content Creator), and Jackie Ip (Technical Support). Additional thanks to DigiBC staffers Sarah Liao and Colleen Arndt, as well as the entire VIFF team for their great work.
Also, thanks to DigiBC members re:Naissance Opera, IM4 Media Lab, Blackbird Interactive, Sunset Visitor, Hammer & Tong, Phoenix Labs, and Juliana Loh for showcasing their expertise in motion capture, live performance, VR/AR and the latest virtual production technology, which is such a great example of the convergence in creative technology.
Events of this scale and nature take a village, and we would not be able to do it without the generous support of our incredible sponsors. Huge shout outs to the Government of British Columbia, Creative BC, Canada, Media Fund, Invest Vancouver, Bentall, Centre, Centre for Digital Media, Vancouver Community College & GRST Limited. We very much appreciate their contributions in making Signals 2023 possible and can’t thank them enough!
