For the 9th consecutive year, SXSW invited IDFA DocLab to guest curate a session for the SXSW Digital Domain program. This year, we focus on the exciting new frontier of hand-drawn virtual reality. This relatively new form of VR brings a physicality, personality and intimacy to the medium that is hard to achieve in traditional 360 video or computer animated projects. Seeing the same potential, Oculus and HTC Vive recently released their first VR drawing tools (Tilt Brush and Quill), however, few artists have so far been able to really explore the creative and technological challenges of hand-drawn virtual reality. That is why DocLab proudly presents an in-depth case study at SXSW featuring Drawing Room, one of the first and most successful hand-drawn virtual reality artworks ever. Drawing Room was created by the pioneering visual artist Jan Rothuizen and interactive designer Sara Kolster in 2015 and premiered as a VR installation at IDFA last November. It went on to win the DocLab Award for Digital Storytelling and is currently travelling the festival circuit. Rothuizen and Kolster will showcase the project, address some of the biggest challenges they faced and share their vision on the future of hand-drawn virtual reality as a medium for storytelling and art.

Founded in 2007, IDFA DocLab is one of the world’s leading platforms exploring the future of interactive technology, art and non-fiction storytelling. As part of the annual IDFA festival in Amsterdam in November, DocLab presents a prestigious competition program, live cinema events and installations ranging from Virtual Reality to Artificial Intelligence, performances and data art. Industry activities include the DocLab Interactive Conference,DocLab Academy training program and a new initiative to commission Virtual Reality and immersive technology art. Follow @doclab for live updates from the event.

DocLab at SXSW 2016 is supported by Creative Industrie Funds NL.