AFI DigiFest - Hollywood, CA

AFI DigiFest
November 6 and 7, 2008
Mann Chinese 6 Theatre
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028

DAY ONE - Thursday, November 6
AFI Digital Content Lab Premieres Five Innovative Digital Entertainment Prototypes

For the past 10 years, the AFI Digital Content Lab has worked with the finest minds in the entertainment, technology and business strategy sectors to incubate more than 80 cutting-edge digital media prototypes. This year's productions once again provide an inspirational window onto our varied and ever-changing media landscape.

ABC VIEWING PARTY, initiated by ABC Digital
The ABC VIEWING PARTY prototype is instant messaging, online message boards and Super Bowl parties rolled into one integrated web-based environment. It's a new way for fans to express themselves and to connect to other fans while watching live TV. ABC.com and the AFI Digital Content Lab team conceived a prototype that illustrates how GREY'S ANATOMY fans might host live online viewing parties during first-run episodes.

THE FACT PROJECT, initiated by PBS Online NEWSHOUR

Acknowledging that a democracy is only as robust as the informed decisions of its citizenry, the AFI Digital Content Lab team went beyond the usual prototype stage to build a ready-to-launch online application that provides viewers with tools and tutorials for researching and reporting back on the veracity of political statements made by candidates. The NEWSHOUR editorial team will monitor the reports and plans to air the best examples on THE NEWSHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER.

HOOKING UP, initiated by HBOlab
HBOlab was launched a little over a year ago and has overseen the creation of several original broadband-only episodic series. The AFI Digital Content Lab partnered with HBOlab on their most recent production, titled HOOKING UP, to explore how online narrative series might integrate cross-platform promotions to build both intrigue and audience. The 10-episode series will be mid-stream at the time of the team's AFI DigiFest presentation.

WARPED ROADIE, initiated by EarthEcho International
EarthEcho International is the brainchild of Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau and, in keeping their grandgather's legacy, the organization works to inform and spark action among youthful audiences. Working with the Warped Tour, a music and extreme sport festival that last year attracted more than 600,000 fans, EarthEcho and the AFI Digital Content Lab team prototyped a contest that both teaches and encourages action.

VON DUTCH ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY ONLINE, initiated by Von Dutch

The Von Dutch Artist-in-Residency (AIR) Program embraces more than 50 artists across a wide spectrum of disciplines—music, theater, photography, filmmaking, animation and more. Like many organizations made up of diverse creative populations, the Von Dutch AIR program wanted to find an easy online solution for sharing ideas, resources, and feedback with one another and with the world. The AFI Digital Content Lab team identified a suite of solutions that promise just that.

SPECIAL GUESTS - X|Media|Lab is an internationally acclaimed digital media think-tank establishing networks in the emergent media markets across China, India, the Middle East, and North and South Asia. XML is partnering with the AFI to co-ordinate a delegation of companies to bring examples of outstanding cross-platform initiatives to the AFI DCL, and assist in creating opportunities for new international partnerships, business matching, and high-value networking.

DAY TWO - Friday, November 7
AFI Digital Content Lab Invites Top Digital Entertainment Creators to Present

Today's media landscape is undergoing tectonic shifts that can be unsettling, but the savviest and most creative producers are learning to shape the new landscape to their own advantage. This curated survey of the best that digital media has to offer promises to be an exciting window onto the latest developments within the film, television, games, broadband and mobile entertainment worlds. Among the stellar presenters will be:

HEROES 360 EXPERIENCE, presented by Jesse Alexander
AFI Conservatory alum Jesse Alexander has served as executive producer and writer for ALIAS, as well as a co-executive producer for LOST, but the most recent feather in his many hats is the result of his work as co-executive producer, writer, and interactive guru for the NBC hit series HEROES. The Emmy award-winning online experience is a rich meld of extended webisodes, a graphic novel, inspired e-mail threads, mobile tie-ins, related blogs and more. The success of the overall project is testimony to how well the television and interactive teams worked together. Jesse will tell us how he manages to balance all these responsibilities while still keeping superb storytelling at the center.

AFRO SAMURAI, presented by David Robinson
Scheduled for early 2009 release, AFRO SAMURAI is a video console game that builds on the success of both the print manga and televised anime series of the same name. Just as in the broadly distributed animated television series, the titular character will be voiced by Samuel L. Jackson. Created by Namco Bandai Games, the revenge-propelled storyline will take place on both Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 systems and features a unique and elegant shaded visual style, as well as a compelling soundtrack developed in collaboration with RZA of Wu-Tang Clan.

THE TRUTH ABOUT MARIKA, presented by Christopher Sandberg
Three years in the making, THE TRUTH ABOUT MARIKA signaled a sea change in how interactive storylines might evolve. Dubbed "participation drama" by its makers, the project was part television series and part alternate reality game. The mysterious narrative gradually unfolded via Swedish public television, radio, chat boards, mobile phones, online games, and even billboards, with viewers actively influencing the plot and the conclusion. The project has already won an International Interactive Emmy. Christopher heads up the group that oversaw the ambitious interactive elements and will share his insights and vision for the future of cross-platform participatory narrative.

AFRICA DIARY, presented by L.M. Kit Carson, producer
Longtime filmmaker and producer L.M. Kit Carson boasts a history of breakthrough productions that include PARIS, TEXAS; THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2; BOTTLE ROCKET; MIAMI VICE; and RUNNING ON EMPTY, but he comes to the AFI Digital Content Lab returning to his roots as a documentary journalist. Using a Nokia N93 cell phone camera, Carson recently embarked on a remarkable adventure, adapting his award-winning writing and imaging experience to robustly record digital diary entries for AFRICA DIARY. The resulting production combines truth and heart in a newsworthy package that is set to air on the Sundance Channel throughout 2009.

EXPEDITION 360, presented by Jason Lewis and Maurice Jacobsen
Jason Lewis participated in one of the earliest AFI digital prototype projects. In 1998, he was already four years into a self-propelled circumnavigation of the globe and was poised to begin pedaling his way across the Pacific. The audience at the July 1999 premiere of the AFI prototype was wowed by the live satellite video exchange with Jason aboard his tiny craft. Jason recently returned, having successfully walked, bicycled, kayaked, swum and pedaled his way around the world, all along the way inviting school children to participate in his grand adventure. Jason share tales of his adventures, with emphasis on the digital tools he used to stay in touch with his fans.

LOLA MONTES, presented by Tom Burton of Technicolor

When film director Max Ophuls shot LOLA MONTES in 1955, he chose a very daring format. Shot largely as a series of flashbacks about the life and loves of the19th century courtesan of Ludwig I and Franz Liszt, the segments bear a striking resemblance to the short narratives that make up today's broadband episodic series. Against his will, the producers cut the film in a strictly chronological order, tossing many scenes the director believed to be integral to the storyline. Happily, Tom Burton of Technicolor decided to not only recut the film according to the director's wishes, but to restore missing scenes using cutting-edge CGI technologies and artistry.

GONE GITMO, presented by Nonny de la Peña and Peggy Weil, producers
Residing within the Second Life 3D virtual universe, GONE GITMO is a recreation of Guantánamo Bay Detention Center in Cuba. The project guides visitors through the intimidating events experienced by newcomers to the much-debated prison. De la Peña will also show scenes from JOHN ESCHER, a narrative machinima series that posits intriguing characters within a grim future.

YEAR ZERO, presented by Susan Bonds and Alex Lieu of 42 Entertainment
Created by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and 42 Entertainment, YEAR ZERO is an alternate reality game that posits a near-future dystopia replete with repressive government, compulsory religion, and a collapsed economy. What distinguishes this effort is the seamless integration across music, lyrics, album art, various Web sites, street murals, live shows and local "art resistance" meetings coordinated by fans. Year Zero was awarded the Cyber Grand Prix at Cannes' 2008 International Advertising Festival.

GUITAR HERO - WORLD TOUR, presented by Alan Flores and Travis Chen of Neversoft
The latest version of the popular console game that puts musical instruments in the hands of ordinary folk will launch only days before AFI DigiFest. In addition to being able to simulate rock's greatest practitioners, this edition allows up to four players at a time to create their own songs using lead, rhythm, and bass guitars, as well as drums. A companion service GHTunes, lets players share and download these compositions.