Experience the Future of Storytelling at MA Digital Narratives 2024 Presentations
The Class D (2022–2024) of the MA Digital Narratives programme at the Internationale Filmschule Köln (ifs) is set to present and showcase their master’s projects. These projects span a variety of mediums, including VR, AR, 360° videos, games, interactive comics, and immersive installations, all featuring an academic research component.
The project presentations will begin at 3:00 PM (CET) at the ifs Cinema. Rebecca Rouse, Associate Professor in Media Arts, Aesthetics, and Narration in the Game Development division at the University of Skövde, Sweden, will deliver the keynote speech on the topic “Generous Realities: Creating Future Culture in Community.”
Rebecca holds a PhD in Digital Media from the Georgia Institute of Technology, an MA in Communication and Culture from the joint programme at York University and Ryerson University, and a BA in Theatre Studies and German Studies from Brown University.
Her research focuses on investigating new forms of storytelling with technologies such as immersive and responsive systems for theatrical performance, interactive installations, movable books, and games.
The students’ presentations will kick off at 3:30 PM and will proceed as follows:
1. Zamia by Gwamaka Mwabuka
An animated underwater VR experience that immerses users in the memories of the Swahili coast, exploring the historical significance of ancient trade in the region through a blend of historical narratives and animated storytelling.
2. Calls from Home by Pavel Sitnikov
A virtual 360° documentary film that follows two music students in Cologne — a flutist from Russia and a percussionist from Ukraine — brought together by the harsh realities of war. It highlights how they forge a close friendship while communicating with their relatives who remain in their conflict-ridden homelands.
3. Frame of Mind by Media Haqshenas
A short 360° VR film that revolves around a woman sharing her memories with an unseen voice, while images of her fragmented memories fill the space around her, revealing that she lives in a care home for people with dementia.
4. Beyond the Noise by Samar Nahas and Stefania Matache
An interactive multi-sensory installation exploring the narratives of feminine beauty and the freedom of ageing.
5. Resist by Zubair Ashraf
An episodic mini-game designed to raise awareness about the ongoing labour movement within Amazon.com Inc. It simulates challenges faced by the warehouse workers, highlighting the importance of unionisation.
6. Unvisible by Pratima Pal
An animated VR experience where, on a subway train through fragmented memories, a homeless graffiti artist narrates the story of how he lost his mind after a chance encounter with a beautiful amnesiac violinist.
7. Mandi by Daniel Bangura
A digital graphic novel embedded on a dedicated website with a responsive design, telling the story of Kevin Kamara — a courageous young man who valiantly rescued 40 lives during the 2017 flooding in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
8. The Room of Resonance by Laurien Michiels
A poetic AR fable that questions biases and media consumption behaviour by interacting with the “echo chambers” of three animals, their belongings, and their life stories.
Following the presentations, the showcase of projects will take place from 5:00 PM onwards in the foyer and studio at the ifs. All presented projects will be exhibited and can be experienced first-hand. There will be snacks and drinks!
If you would like to attend the event, please register here.
The Digital Narratives team, including Prof. Lena Thiele, Prof. Dr. Frédéric Dubois, Head of Studies Jimena Aguilar, and Study Assistant Valérie Lang, would be delighted to see you at the ifs for this event in person.
