Tribeca Festival, a key event for American film industries and XR creators, is held from June 7th to June 18th this year. Two immersive projects from Taiwan, including Colored (by Flash Forward Entertainment and Novaya) and Over the Rainbow (by Riverbed Theatre), are nominated in New Voices Competition at Tribeca Immersive section. They are highlighted for their creativity, technical capabilities, and market potentials.

Taiwan is known for tech development, cultural diversity, and creative freedom, Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) points out, so XR works are very competitive in international markets. TAICCA not only invests funding and resources in content development and international co-productions, but also supports their global distribution pathways. These efforts elevate visibility for completed works, and expand opportunities for upcoming projects.

It was a pleasure to participate in Tribeca Festival, said Colored co-producer Emanuela Righi, and initiate many discussions for distribution and collaboration in the future. The title is expected to travel in America and Britain. She was grateful to TAICCA for the arrangement and support. Through this event, creators could review their creative experiences, and highlight benefits in international co-productions.

Tribeca Festival particularly valued industry networks and exchanges, said Over the Rainbow director Craig Quintero. At this global art and cultural hub named New York, it was great to engage with creators, programmers, and industry professionals at the event by TAICCA. It was also a great opportunity to introduce works by Riverbed Theatre to decision makers in the industry.

Colored is a co-production between Flash Forward Entertainment from Taiwan and Novaya from France. With augmented reality techniques, it brings viewers back to the 1950s to explore racial identity and ethnic issues. Supported by Immersive Content Grant from TAICCA, it premiered at Centre Pompidou this April with global attention.

Over the Rainbow is the second VR attempt by Riverbed Theatre to adapt its immersive theater Just for You. It tiptoes on the fine line between desire and happiness, and between ideals and familiarity. Virtual reality is an appropriate medium to deliver intimacy in theatrical performances. During the festival, these two titles have received great reviews and attention from filmmakers and professionals worldwide.

To expand international networks, TAICCA also organized a Taiwan Focus session at Tribeca. Creative teams behind Colored (director Pierre-Alain Giraud and Stéphane Foenkinos, producer Christa Chen and Emanuela Righi, and writer Tania de Montaigne) and Over the Rainbow (director Craig Quintero and producer Suling Yeh) talked about their motivations, inspirations, and creative processes. Distinguished guests included Ana Brzezińska (Tribeca Immersive Curator), Michel Reilhac (Venice Immersive Co-Curator), Toby Coffey (Head of Digital Development, National Theatre), Ulrich Schrauth (Artistic Director of VRHAM!), Kirsty van der Plas (Head of Producer Impulse XR Funding Market at VRDays Europe), Diliana Alexander (Executive Director of Miami Filmgate Interactive Festival), Huichun Chang (Director of Taipei Culture Center in New York).

Many attendants appreciated creative dynamics and momentum in cultural tech content from Taiwan. With better understanding about XR industries and creative resources from Taiwan, they looked forward to engaging with more creators and projects in the future.

Founded in New York in 2002, Tribeca Festival celebrates arthouse films and XR films. Tribeca Immersive is a key occasion for immersive content industries for official competitions and global premieres.