IDFA’s new media program DocLab has been exploring the art of interactive and immersive non-fiction since 2007. Over the years, IDFA DocLab has developed into one of the leading platforms for interactive documentary art and storytelling. Every year, we commission new pieces, initiate collaborations between artists, and offer a wide range of industry activities to support those shaping the landscape of emerging media and art.

Each year an international jury is invited to give out the IDFA DocLab Award for Digital Storytelling, the IDFA DocLab Immersive Non-Fiction Award, and Special Jury Awards for Creative Technology. The two competitions are open to all sorts of interactive and immersive projects ranging from XR projects, web docs, audio experiences, apps, and data art to virtual reality, installations, live performances, and fulldome.

The annual DocLab Exhibition showcases around 30 installations and interactive projects, including the projects in competition. Over the course of eleven days, audiences are invited to discover the latest interactive documentaries, explore immersive installations, and play with some of today's most exciting new technologies.

Interactive Conference

Photos from VR experiences © jurrerompa

How do we explore digital behaviour and redefine physical space and the art of documentary storytelling in the digital age? The one-day Interactive Conference brings together leading artists and thinkers from the world of art, technology, science and documentary to share their visions on documentaries and interactive media art. Past speakers include Jepchumba II (African Digital Art), Gabo Arora (UN/VRSE), Jessica Brillhart (Traverse), Ira Glass (This American Life), Jonathan Harris (We Feel Fine, I Love Your Work), Jason Spingarn Koff (Netflix), Rem Koolhaas (OMA), Sophia al Maria, Vincent Morisset (BlaBla, Just a Reflektor), Errol Morris, Marleen Stikker (Waag), and William Uricchio (MIT).