Digital Culture

Digital Culture at the Netherlands Film Festival shows innovative ways of visual storytelling beyond the boundaries of film and television.

To bring original stories to life in extraordinary ways, creators use technologies such as VR, AR and AI to create apps, interactive installations and performances. These productions are distinguished by their creative forms and use of digital means. Digital Culture at NFF offers a place for curious viewers who want to discover how storytelling is changing in a digital age.

Selection Golden Calf Digital Culture 2026 announced

Twelve productions are in the running for the Golden Calf for Best Digital Culture Production 2026 and will be on display to the public during the Netherlands Film Festival. The Storyspace exhibition at Neude Library in Utrecht brings a diverse range of narratives to life, using digital techniques that go beyond the boundaries of film and television.

Discover the selection here

Storyspace

Discover innovative forms of visual storytelling at the Netherlands Film Festival. At the Storyspace exhibition in Neude Library, you will experience interactive installations, VR experiences, apps and performances that stimulate your senses. These productions are unique from film and television due to their distinctive form, originality and use of digital techniques. Walk in whenever you want - ideal between films or as a quick visit. Be surprised by the talent and creativity of Dutch digital makers.

Talks

The latest, most innovative and extraordinary developments in (digital) storytelling are discussed in several Digital Culture Talks during the Netherlands Film Festival.

Discover the Digitale Culture talks

Fellowships Programme

The Fellowships Programme established in 2023 is designed for mid-career makers who are engaged in a research project within the field of Digital Culture. With this programme, makers and/or collectives are encouraged to explore new technologies, themes and tools, and initiate collaborations. Between 2023 and 2025, three fellows will work on their research proposals every year, which they will then present during the Netherlands Film Festival (NFF).

HEFT

HEFT: Heritage for the Future is the new project by the NFF, in collaboration with a broad consortium of makers and institutions, to secure the future of immersive media.

Within this two-year project, the consortium investigates methods to sustainably develop Immersive Experiences (IX), including VR and XR, and to preserve them as cultural heritage. During the Open Lab Sessions in the festival week four works in progress are presented to an audience for the first time. Audience feedback contributes directly to the further development of these works.

HEFT is funded by the Creative Industries Fund NL and the CIIIC (Creative Industries Immersive Impact Coalition).

Meer about HEFT