Conventional filmmaking is, for good reason, currently at a standstill. But the situation is not as dire for the production of digital formats such as games and virtual and augmented reality. Regional German media funder FFF Bayern is expanding its portfolio and is now funding new projects for XR applications so that the creative potential of the film and media industry as well as media art can develop further in this area and creative people can be financially supported.
Extended Reality (XR) refers to immersive content for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and immersive sound projects.
Bavaria’s digital minister Judith Gerlach: “As a new visualization and cross-sectional technology, XR offers a wide range of applications from research and development, planning and construction, architecture, healthcare, industry, education and training to games, entertainment and media art.
This also creates many opportunities, not only for the many potential users, but also for our media professionals who can create this content. As a leading industrial and media location, we therefore launched the Virtual Reality Bavaria package of measures last year. Three XR hubs, in Munich, Nuremberg and Würzburg, are already networking users and providers of this technology and showing the solutions that XR makes possible. Now, we’re also launching a specific funding program at FFF Bayern endowed with 450,000 euros annually. This enables us to boost innovative projects and solutions. In our current situation in particular, this is also an opportunity for our creative and media professionals to break new ground in the area of XR.”
FFF chief executive Dorothee Erpenstein adds: “With the new funding for XR, we’re enabling creative content that goes beyond the traditional, established formats. We’ve created our own funding division with a funding officer and its own grant committee. In this way, we’re supporting creative people in the use of the great opportunities offered by XR technologies – with high demands on content. I’m looking forward to the projects that make use of XR’s application possibilities and give us new immersive experiences in many creative fields from art to further education.”
To date, FFF Bayern has supported virtual reality projects in game funding and in narrative as well as 360-degree content that is produced in Bavaria with or without the participation of a broadcaster or platform. These opportunities will continue in the future: 360-degree films, narrative VR formats, and digital games will continue to receive support from our established funding programs. The XR funding includes new, additional levels of reality in addition to VR and its content, as well as other aspects:
New content and experiences
Eligible XR projects can serve entertainment, art and culture, as well as health, or can also be created for social purposes to promote participation. Educational projects and training applications are also eligible but the latter must be characterized by a special and innovative user experience and be scalable.
New sectors
The funding is aimed not exclusively at producers, but also companies and natural persons from the cultural and creative industries. Students from all universities and colleges in Bavaria are also eligible to apply. FFF Bayern is breaking new ground here in many ways.
New rules
The funding regulations are specially tailored to these innovative projects and differ in some ways from the previous procedures. For example, the submission process includes a pitch deck that will also be presented. Successful artists and creatives from Bavaria can apply for funding that will reduce the costs of presenting their projects at international and national festivals and conferences – as soon as this becomes an option again after the coronavirus crisis. An invitation from a festival or conference is required.
New funds
FFF is supporting the XR projects with a non-repayable grant in two development stages:
A subsidy of up to € 30,000 can be granted for the phase from concept to prototype. Production can receive support of up to € 100,000. The entire funding sum must be used in Bavaria. This year, a total of € 450,000 is available for XR funding.
New FFF funding officer, new grant committee
Applications for funding can be submitted for two deadlines; we will announce the dates shortly. A separate committee for XR funding will decide on the grants. The new FFF funding officer for XR, Julius Windhorst, will advise applicants. Detailed information on advisory work and submission will soon be available on the FFF website.
source: FFF Bayern
image: photo Henry Chan c Goethe-Institut Toronto: VR experience "Here We Are - A Turing Torture" by
Swan Collective at Goethe Media Space Toronto 2019
