In 2024, you experienced your third edition at the helm of the NewImages Festival. How do you view the progress and achievements of the past editions?

It was my third edition, but only the second one that I fully curated, meaning I oversaw the entire programming process from A to Z—from opening calls for projects to selecting works for the competition and out-of-competition sections. 

We have expanded beyond virtual reality (VR) films, aligning with market developments and the evolution of artistic forms. Currently, we are the only festival with a professional market dedicated entirely to immersive experiences. More importantly, we have strengthened connections with cultural venues, art galleries, performing arts professionals, and the video game industry. 

We have successfully consolidated and stabilized this professional segment, particularly with the support of the Institut français for its international scope. The next challenge will be to optimize the public visibility of our event—our festival is free for audiences and will remain so. 

How do you assess the vitality of French immersive creation today? 

In an increasingly competitive international landscape, French immersive creation maintains an edge thanks to the quality and diversity of its studios. It is important to highlight the various support mechanisms established by the CNC and public institutions, but we must also unite our strengths to maintain this lead. Our advantage relies on our creators and our networked organization—we work together, and that is something I truly appreciate in my role. 

Among other missions, the NewImages Festival aims to enhance the visibility of immersive works internationally. Since 2018, you have collaborated with the Institut français, particularly through the Focus program, which allows foreign professionals to attend the festival, discover French immersive creation, and meet key players in the field. What is the ecosystem surrounding NewImages Festival? 

Our collaboration with the Institut français initially focused on establishing an annual invitation program for international professionals, called Focus. This initiative led us to develop our own international invitation program: the Paris XN Days, still in partnership with the Institut français. 

Other key players, such as French Immersive Studios and distributors, also participate in this event to ensure it meets the needs and challenges of the French ecosystem. Around twenty international participants are selected to join an exclusive two-day pre-program before the festival, featuring meetings with French talents, studio visits, cultural venues, and high-level networking opportunities. 

Alongside the festival, you run the NewImages Hub throughout the year. Can you tell us more about this initiative? 

The NewImages Hub has two main components: 

• The first is based in Paris and aims to strengthen the French ecosystem through workshops for distribution venues, creators, and producers. These sessions help them stay at the cutting edge while providing opportunities for exchange. The hub fosters discussions in a "safe space" where everyone is on equal footing. It serves as a neutral platform dedicated to the general interest. 
• The second component focuses on the international scene, in collaboration with the Institut français and the French cultural network abroad, as well as its partners. This includes programs dedicated to creation and co-production, particularly through the development of artist residencies. 

As part of this, you are involved in projects like the XR Fall Residency – Vancouver 2024 and the Quito – UDLA Immersive Residency. What are the benefits of these residencies for the selected artists? 

These residencies are designed to support creators, providing mobility assistance and opportunities to participate in festivals or key industry events abroad. They offer local immersion, allowing artists to work in new contexts, receive tailored support, and expand their professional network. 

To conclude, what are the key challenges that the NewImages Festival will need to address in the coming years? We assume you're already preparing for the 2025 edition—would you like to share a few words about it? 

It is important that, as a French network, we collaborate to strengthen ourselves in an increasingly competitive environment. It is also essential to remain open to new forms of creation and collaboration models, particularly with potential distribution venues. 

Another major challenge is to develop and retain our audience. This is why the festival remains free for the public, and we are actively seeking a major sponsor. Such a partnership would allow us to better finance the exhibition, enhance the visibility of works, and make the festival even more appealing to audiences. 

Join us from April 9 to 13, 2025, in the heart of Paris, to immerse yourself in the cutting edge of XR creation, where culture, performing arts, video games, AI, and major contemporary social themes converge in a unique celebration of creativity and innovation.