Hollywood and Vine has always been an intersection of dreams, with sidewalks studded with the names of entertainment stars, the Pantages and El Capitan theaters nearby, and the iconic Capitol Records tower rising above it all. This historic backdrop is now home to numerous “techtainment” businesses, making it the perfect setting for The Aster, a natural extension of the neighborhood’s creative resurgence.
The Aster, much like IF, is led by a commitment to hospitality and an exceptional guest experience. Under one roof, it offers a variety of spaces, including lounges, workspaces, a screening room, recording studio, stages, and large suites, all tied together with impeccable service. IF is a unique event designed to unite the global community of storytellers and technologists, led by industry thought leaders. We’re thrilled to welcome PRG as our production partner, bringing their unparalleled
expertise in technical excellence to the event. Having worked on some of the most-watched events ever produced, PRG unlocks the power of technology and innovation to engage and delight audiences across all forms of media and live experiences.
As PRG developed the concept for IF 2024, they reflected on past years and took feedback to heart, aiming to create a festival that welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds, all sharing a common desire to connect.
Set in Hollywood, the festival’s location embodies the spirit of the city. From the top of The Aster, you can take in stellar views of the hills and the bustling boulevard below. Just steps away is the iconic Avalon Hollywood Theater, and landmarks like the Capitol Records building, the Walk of Fame, Hollywood Pantages Theater, and a vibrant array of restaurants and bars. The vibe is as Hollywood as it gets.
Expanding the Future of Gaming, AI, and Interactive Media
The core of our programming initiatives focuses on delving into the cutting-edge realms of technology, media and entertainment, spotlighting key innovators redefining the cinematic art and storytelling landscape. This year’s expanded programming goes even further, exploring the fusion of gaming with spatial technologies, from large-scale to small-format applications and location-based experiences (LBEs), illustrating how these tools revolutionize interactive experiences. Attendees at this year’s event can expect in-depth discussions and demonstrations on how these technologies are being leveraged to create immersive, dynamic environments that engage audiences in unprecedented ways.
In addition to gaming and spatial technologies, the festival will dive into the profound impact of AI on the creative process.
By highlighting how artificial intelligence empowers artists and expands creative possibilities, the festival offers a glimpse into the future of storytelling where human creativity and machine intelligence intersect. Panels, workshops, and exhibits will explore everything from AI-driven content creation to real-time collaborative tools that are reshaping how stories are told and experienced.
Through these lenses, Infinity Festival not only captures the zeitgeist of technological change but also showcases the transformative tools that are shaping the future of media and entertainment. This year’s expanded programming ensures that Infinity Festival remains at the forefront of innovation, offering attendees a comprehensive view of the cutting-edge developments that are redefining the industry.
WHAT IS IF?
Infinity Festival Hollywood is a multi-day event held each November in Los Angeles, where we bring together creative talent from Hollywood and Silicon Valley to celebrate “Story Enabled by Technology.” Through our best-in-class exhibitions, panels, screenings, and special events, we showcase the intersection of entertainment and technology.
Together with leading Hollywood studios and tech companies, we will host IF Hollywood 2024 at The Aster, a boutique members-only club, and the historic Avalon Hollywood nightclub and event space. Past festivals have also included special events at various iconic Los Angeles locations, such as The Griffith Observatory, Lighthouse ArtSpace, Capitol Records, the Dolby Screening Room, Google Spruce Goose, and Sony Studios.
OUR BEGINNINGS
We began Infinity Festival in November 2018 as Infinity Film Festival, with our inaugural event in Beverly Hills. The Paley Center served as our central hub, while screenings and special events took place at notable venues such as the Writer’s Guild Theater. With over 200 speakers and more than 100 screenings, including studio premieres, a Tech Lab, a Student Lab, exhibitions, and a fine art gallery, we explored themes such as 3D, 4K, Immersive Technology, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence. We also debuted the Infinity Festival Monolith Awards, recognizing excellence in entertainment and technology.
GROWTH AND EXPANSION
In 2019, we evolved into Infinity Festival Hollywood, expanding our reach to Goya (now nya) Studios, the Dream Hotel, and various Hollywood theaters. We continued our theme of “Story Enabled by Technology,” with discussions on 5G, AI, Blockchain, Immersive Technology, and Wellness. Our screenings featured films from major studios like Disney, Netflix, Pixar, and Sony, including exclusive presentations such as the CLED screening of “Spider-Man: Far From Home” and “Gemini Man” in 120 FPS 3D.
ADAPTING TO CHANGE
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we transitioned to an entirely virtual format, offering eight weeks of programming dedicated to key themes like Remote Collaboration, AI, 3D/Visual Effects, Virtual Production, Immersive Experiences, Real-Time Storytelling, Entertainment Content, and Wellness Tech. This shift allowed us to continue our mission in a digital landscape.
HIGHLIGHTS AND CONTINUED EXPANSION
The 2021 festival featured a hybrid format, combining in-person events at nya Studios and the Dream Hotel with online programming. We focused on emerging trends, including the Metaverse, AI, XR, OTT, and Gaming. In 2022, we returned to live events from November 2-5 at nya Studios and the Dream Hotel, with a particular emphasis on Virtual Production and Web3 technologies for media and entertainment. Notable highlights included a conversation with Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman on his VR directorial debut “Le Musk” and the introduction of the SoCal Women’s Summit, sponsored by MESA and Women in Technology Hollywood.
In 2022, we introduced a full-day Virtual Production Workshop, featuring sessions on the virtual art department, on-set operations, and directing, all centered on the production pipeline. Other key events included a Web3 case study summit, creative tracks, and panels with celebrities whose work intersects with technology, such as Howie Mandel and Jeff Bridges.
INFINITY FESTIVAL SILICON BEACH AND LIVE AT THE ASTER
In 2023, we launched Infinity Festival Silicon Beach, an exclusive, invitation-only event on May 18-19 at the Google Spruce Goose in Playa Vista, CA. We focused on tech-enabled production, with a particular emphasis on workflows and the utilization of Cloud technology. Our attendees included C-suite executives and leading figures from the technology and entertainment sectors. Programming tracks such as Content & Virtual Production and The Journey to the Cloud provided in-depth discussions on transitioning production workflows to the Cloud. We concluded the event with the presentation of the Infinity Festival Monolith Technology Awards, honoring innovative contributions in storytelling and technological advancements.
Infinity Festival Live at The Aster, a series of invitation-only events, offered a close look into the latest advancements in entertainment technology and education. Highlights included an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at “Avatar: The Way of Water” and a special screening of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” followed by discussions with industry professionals.
The 2024 Innovator Education Series, part of Infinity Festival Live at The Aster, kicked off with monthly programming targeted at the student community. We featured intimate conversations with industry thought leaders, beginning with Randy Greenburg, Executive Producer of “The Meg,” and continuing with Academy Award-winning VFX Supervisor Rob Legato.
INFINITY FESTIVAL HOLLYWOOD 2023
The 2023 edition of Infinity Festival Hollywood took place from November 1-4, with nya Studios serving as our main festival hub. Additional events were hosted at The Aster and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences Linwood Dunn Theater. Title sponsors Z by HP, NVIDIA, and Barco supported our diverse array of programming tracks, including Thought Leadership, AI Applications & Empowerment, Gaming Modalities, The Age of the Creator, and the SoCal Women’s Leadership Summit.
Key program highlights included our A.I. Lab, a Virtual Production Workshop, a Student Lab, and an interview series with Hollywood Reporter tech editor Carolyn Giardina. Behind-the-scenes glimpses of blockbuster films like “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” offered attendees unique insights into the creative and technological processes involved in these productions.
Barco, a leading multinational display hardware manufacturer, introduced its revolutionary Lightsteering HDR projection system at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater, featuring tech demos and special screenings, including “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.” We concluded the festival with the Infinity Festival Monolith Creative Awards, recognizing outstanding storytelling advanced by technology. Award winners included “Remembering” by Disney Studio Lab, “In Search of Time” for AI Storytelling, and “Gorillaz Presents” for Marketing in Tech-Based Entertainment.
LOOKING AHEAD – INFINITY FESTIVAL 2024
As we prepare for our 7th season, scheduled for November 6-9, 2024, at The Aster and The Avalon Hollywood, we continue to lead the conversation at the intersection of storytelling and technology. We remain committed to showcasing cutting-edge content and staying ahead of industry trends. Our festival has consistently been the first to host panels and create exhibitions devoted to XR, VR, AR, AI, the Metaverse, Web3, and Virtual Production, drawing participation from tech leaders and major studios alike.
We invite you to join us as we continue to explore the future of entertainment!
Guests
Our past guests include Academy Award winners, Writers, Artists, Celebrities and Technologists, all innovators in each of their fields.
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