AGORA XR LAB

It is designed for emerging storytellers keen to explore new forms of expression in factual and non-factual storytelling and pushing the boundaries of what audiovisual work can be in the digital age. We encourage emerging artists from different career paths and artistic backgrounds to submit their projects for this opportunity. The focus is on projects that bridge the realms of film, digital media, new tech, and performing arts. AGORA XR Lab fosters innovation and collaboration by supporting creative, interdisciplinary partnerships in film, the arts, science, technology, and social impact initiatives.

The lead mentor of the Lab is Vassiliki Khonsari, an award-winning creative producer and writer, and the co-founder of iNK Stories, a New York City-based studio renowned for pioneering storytelling across games, films, XR, and immersive experiences.

Which countries are eligible to apply?

Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo*, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Countries not mentioned in the above list can still apply if they are co-producing with a country within these regions or contain elements in the story that link them to these regions. Projects not coming from one of the above-mentioned countries who think that the AGORA XR Lab is a good springboard for them, may still apply. All submitted projects will be reviewed and evaluated.

What are we looking for?

AGORA XR Lab is an active creative development process designed to help teams step outside the day-to-day development of their projects, encounter new perspectives, and expand their creative thinking through conversation, experimentation, and exchange.

We are looking for:

• Immersive and new media projects that experiment with innovative formats and emerging technologies to tell stories and explore fiction, non-fiction, and everything in between.
• Projects across a diverse range of fields, including immersive storytelling, web experiences, digital art, gaming, audio narratives, physical installations, and works using AI, XR, and other emerging technologies.
• Projects with room to explore. We encourage work that still has meaningful creative questions or possibilities open, where the lab process can help reinforce a direction, reveal an unexpected possibility, or open up a new way of thinking.
• Curious and open teams who are interested in asking new questions, exploring different approaches, and considering where their work might go.
• Projects that are produced or co-produced by a country within the eligible regions, or that contain story elements connecting them to these regions.
• Projects with at least two creative members attached, such as a creator–creator or creator–producer team. Projects can be at any stage of development.
• Teams able to commit to the full AGORA XR Lab process. If selected, up to two participants per project must attend all sessions.

We strongly encourage you to apply and participate as a team, with your key collaborator already in place before applying. The lab works best when participants can bring different perspectives and actively engage in the creative process together.

What is the application procedure?

Submissions must be received by November 25, 2026.

The application and additional materials should be submitted in English.

The application must include:

AGORA XR Lab Application Form:

Applicants should submit the online Application Form (in English) in order for the project to be considered for selection. Please make sure to complete the form thoroughly. Once you have completed the online form you cannot make changes. Elements from the application form will be used for catalogue information should your project be selected.

Project’s File - one PDF:

Materials must be included in one PDF file, attached to the online application form, including the following:

1. Working Title
2. Logline
3. Synopsis or treatment (up to 2 pages)
4. Thoughts on why this story/project should be built in an immersive format
5. Thoughts about target audience and distribution, including initial thoughts on how you envision the execution of your idea - please mention up to 3 comparative projects you are inspired by. (Up to 3 pages)
6. Thoughts about what will be gained from participation in the workshop
7. Main production company profile (if applicable)
8. Co-production company profile (if applicable)
9. Core creative team bio profile(s)
10. Producer(s) bio profile (if applicable)
11. Financing plan (if available): a document in which you specify the amount of money you need to finance your project and how you’re going to obtain (or you have already obtained) said amount.
12. Visual material (moodboard or online link to moving images)
13. Examples of previous works (i.e. pictures, links etc. max. 2 pages)

Key Dates:

• Open Call: September 18, 2026
• Submissions Deadline: Extended: November 25, 2026
• Notification Date: Early January, 2027
• Online Workshop: Mid January, 2027
• AGORA XR Lab: March 6-11, 2027
• Online Meetings: March 12, 2027

General Rules and Guidelines:

• Our main focus in the selection procedure will be on projects that present a high possibility of being realised, combining this quality with artistic elements as well as its feasibility.
• We evaluate the uniqueness of the content, the originality of the storytelling format, the relevance of the subject matter and the international audience appeal.
• The application materials and subtitles should be in English.
• One lead creative or producer can submit up to two projects.
• A project that was previously not selected, can be submitted again in future editions, as long as there have been substantial changes in its development.
• A project should mention any other workshops and markets it has been previously presented at and when, as well as any pending applications.
• The projects are evaluated by an international selection committee. The final selection is the result of the decision of each year's selection committee together with the Head of AGORA in accordance with the Festival administration.
• In the final selection we strive to maintain a balance between represented countries, regions, genders and addressed themes.
• The number of selected projects is up to five (5).

What happens if the project is selected?

• Once a project has been selected, both members of the core creative team are expected to be present during an online preparation and project enhancement workshop taking place during January.
• Project holders also agree that at least one representative will attend the entire duration of the AGORA XR Lab (Arrival: March 6 / Workshop: March 7-10 / Presentation & Meetings: March 10 / Departure: March 11 / Online Meetings: March 12).
• The AGORA XR Lab offers accommodation for 5 nights (in case two members attend, we can cover one double room) and can reimburse part of the travel expenses per project team (receipts are required).
• Your project’s meeting schedule will be sent to you a few days before AGORA XR Lab begins. The schedule will be based upon requests from the invited industry professionals. Additional meetings are scheduled and curated by the AGORA team and upon availability.
• Completed projects sprung from the AGORA XR Lab agree to mention their participation in the AGORA XR Lab by adding the program’s logo in their credits. Preferably, the following sentence should be mentioned in the credit list: "[Project title] has been presented at AGORA XR Lab of the [festival edition] Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival [year]". The logo will be sent to the creative team upon selection of the project.

> TiDF29 AGORA XR Lab Applications -Available online here.

Submissions Deadline: November 25, 2026

For inquiries please contact: Rafaela Karagianni karagianni@filmestival.gr