FilmGate Interactive 12 Special Guests

Alex Novy

Originally from Germany and having lived in Colombia, he has called Miami home for over two decades. He works at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau promoting sports and film in the city. A sports enthusiast, he enjoys tennis, soccer, and golf, along with traveling and time by the water.

Amanda Garcia

Amanda Garcia brings international experience in contemporary art and community-centered initiatives to Knight Foundation’s Arts team. She is founder of ALA Projects, supporting Latin American and diaspora artists through exhibitions and collaborations. Previously at Leon Tovar Gallery in New York, she curated exhibitions and managed participation in major international art fairs.

Anastasia Victor

Anastasia Victor is a Senior Design Lead with over a decade of experience designing products at the intersection of emerging technology, consumer hardware, and human experience. She is currently a Product Design Lead for Horizon OS (Meta’s VR operating system) at Meta Reality Labs, where she focuses on shaping intuitive, scalable interfaces for spatial computing.

Antònia Folguera

Antònia Folguera curates festivals, conferences and podcasts and radio shows. Her work moves across the terrains of digital art and culture, communication and electronic music.

Artem (Tommy) Petrov

Artem Petrov is the Founder and CEO of CopySight AI, building legal infrastructure to protect creators in the generative AI era. A two-time founder with a successful exit and former Director at Meta and Snap, he led global creative technology systems at scale. Today, he focuses on making AI-generated content copyrightable, compliant, and commercially viable.

Aya Umoh

Faith “Aya” Umoh is CEO, Creative Director, and Founder of Creative Aya, a global studio creating AI-driven immersive experiences. A New Media Artist with 14+ years at the intersection of art and technology, she has developed AI tools and directed projects shown internationally, partnering with brands and institutions to redefine interactive storytelling.

Beth Boone

Beth Boone is the Artistic & Executive Director of Miami Light Project, where she has led the organization since 1998 and developed acclaimed programs supporting local and international artists. She holds a B.A. from the College of Charleston and an MFA from Brandeis University.

Brandon Powers

Brandon Powers is a director and choreographer creating experiences across physical and virtual space. His work spans AI, XR, and live performance, with projects presented at Lincoln Center, Sundance, Venice, and Cannes XR. He co-founded Pulse & Pixel, developing motion capture tools, and holds leadership roles at Musical Theatre Factory and Onassis ONX Studio.

Brisa Areli Muñoz

Brisa Areli Muñoz (she/they) is a theater director, healing practitioner, and cultural worker.

Camille Jeanjean

Camille Jeanjean is a New Media Officer at the Villa Albertine, cultural services of the French Embassy based in New York.

Carlos Fueyo

Carlos Fueyo is a filmmaker and creative director focused on immersive storytelling and real-time filmmaking. As co-founder of Playard Studios, he develops original IP and new cinematic workflows that bridge film, virtual production, and emerging technologies, always in service of story and human connection.

Chloe Fang

Chloe Fang is the Head of Strategy & Partnerships at OpenArt AI, one of the largest AI video generation platforms with a $300 million valuation.

Christina Crespi

Christina Crespi serves as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority (Miami DDA), the agency responsible for shaping the economic future of Downtown Miami.

Cécile Palusinski

Cécile Palusinski is a writer and creator of sound content.

DJ WVNG

DJ WVNG is a South Florida–based open format DJ specializing in Latin, Hip Hop,Dancehall and highenergy nightlife sets.

Daria Skrypnyk

Daria Skrypnyk is a Visual Designer at Snap Inc., where she contributes to Snap OS and the visual direction of Snap’s wearable platform.

David Beiner

Founder of Hume, an AI-native creative agency operating at the intersection of art and technology. Co-founded with platinum producer Jay Stolar, Hume builds premium content and virtual artists using a battle-tested AI production pipeline. With 100M+ streams and views, the team delivers cinematic-quality campaigns, AI influencers, and brand IP for leading global companies.

Diliana Alexander

She has built a global platform connecting visionary creators with institutions, and international cultural partners.

Emilia Sánchez Chiquetti

Emilia Sánchez Chiquetti is an Argentine-Brazilian director and producer who works between audiovisual, theatrical, and extended reality (XR) projects.

EmmaLee Kidwell

EmmaLee Kidwell is a New York City–based multi-hyphenate storyteller working across performance, writing, directing, and choreography. She is Managing Director of Live & In Color, co-founder of Butterfly Effect Productions, and the creator and frontwoman of the band EmmaLee & The Dream.

Escher Tsai

New media art worker and interdisciplinary curator. Creative Director of Dimension Plus and Hello World, and Director of Arts and Technology: Creative Innovation and Counseling Project, and 5G Computing Art Project.

Fanny Fortage (Bonnie Lisbon)

Bonnie Lisbon is a French visual artist and founder of
ENTER.black, an artistic studio creating immersive and interactive
experiences.

Felipe Aguilar

Felipe Aguilar is a Colombian filmmaker and immersive artist whose work blends documentary storytelling with new media and has been showcased internationally at venues including Berlinale, Cannes, CERN, and NewImages Festival.

Florie Zheng

Florie Zheng is Head of Business Development at VIVE Arts, HTC, leading global licensing and distribution of XR projects. Since 2020, she has built partnerships with leading museums and cultural institutions, positioning VIVE Arts at the forefront of immersive art. With a background in finance at Lehman Brothers and Christie’s, she bridges culture and emerging technology.

Francisco Rivera

Francisco Rivera is a digital media executive with more than 20 years of experience driving growth and innovation in the media industry.

Fred Grinstein

Fred Grinstein is the co-founder of Machine Cinema, a creator collective and community resource advancing cinematic storytelling with generative AI through GenJam™ events, workshops, and summits in LA, SF, NY, and beyond.

Harry Clunet-Farlow

Harry Clunet-Farlow is a musician and electronic music producer under the name STVP!D.

Ismaël Joffroy Chandoutis

Ismaël Joffroy Chandoutis is a filmmaker and artist whose hybrid documentary practice explores the unseen dimensions of the digital world. A graduate of INSAS, LUCA, and Le Fresnoy, his work has screened at Centre Pompidou, Venice Biennale, and Cannes Critics’ Week. He is currently developing two feature films and new immersive projects.

Jeffrey Abramson

Currently driving impact through storytelling at Bridge Entertainment Labs and GATHR, Jeffrey is a creative business leader with 20+ experience at the intersection of entertainment, culture, technology and experiential marketing. He has held senior roles at Meta, Discovery VR, led Gen Art, and worked with major global brands on innovative campaigns and immersive experiences including Amazon, Canon, Google and Starbucks.

Jen Todd

Jen Todd is the Co-Founder of Evolve, a conscious community and wellness talent agency based in Miami.

Jie Liou

Jie Liou is a director and digital artist working across 3D arts, real-time visuals, interactive systems, and experimental video.

Joanna Popper

Joanna Popper is a forward-thinking executive and board director driving innovation across AI, immersive technology, and media. Former Chief Metaverse Officer at CAA and Global Head of XR at HP, she advises media, tech, and startups, serves on multiple industry boards, and executive produces award-winning immersive and AI storytelling projects.

John Canning

As Director of Developer Relations at AMD, John leads strategy and partnerships supporting key ISVs across linear, interactive, and immersive media. With 25+ years in media, gaming, and software, he specializes in virtual production, digital humans, and immersive workflows—helping studios and platforms deliver innovative, high-impact creative experiences.

John Gaeta

John Gaeta is an Academy Award–winning creator best known for his work on The Matrix and Star Wars immersive entertainment. A pioneer of Bullet Time, volumetric capture, and AI-driven storytelling, he has led creative innovation at ILMxLAB, Magic Leap, Epic Games, and Inworld AI, and is co-founder of Escape.ai, advancing what he calls “Neo Cinema.”

John Hsu

John is a project manager with the International Partnership team at TAICCA, supporting global collaboration and the integration of Taiwanese cultural content with technology. With a background in XR production, motion capture, and virtual characters, he has worked across tech companies as a producer, project manager, and immersive media specialist.

Josette Melchor

Josette Melchor is Global Placemaking Lead at Google and Founder of Gray Area. Formerly Head of Cultural Programming for WeWork’s Future Cities, she helped establish Gray Area as a 501(c)3 creative hub for art and technology. Her work spans urban prototyping, AI + art initiatives, and building sustainable models for immersive cultural practice.

Julie Walsh

Julie Walsh is a Chicago-based curator specializing in contemporary Asian art, immersive technologies, and digital art. Founder of Walsh Gallery and co-founder of MIRAA, she has curated and lectured internationally at Ars Electronica, SXSW, Venice Biennale, and MEET Digital Culture Center. She serves on juries including the Lumen Prize and advises leading digital art institutions.

Katy Yudin

Katy Yudin is Cosm’s Senior Director of Studio Development, where she spearheads original productions and community partnerships for Cosm Studios - the content and storytelling arm of Cosm.

Luke Conroy

Luke Conroy is an Australian interdisciplinary artist based in the Netherlands working across film, animation, installation, sound, and VR. His projects combine archival material, pop culture, and AI imagery into layered narratives exploring climate, colonialism, consumerism, and technology. He is co-director of Nullshima Studio with Anne Fehres.

Marcos Melo

Marcos has 14+ years of experience guiding entrepreneurs and SMEs in global expansion, specializing in business models for the creative and technology industries. He is Co-Founder of VYCO App, leading Strategy & Partnerships, and Associate CCO at We LATAM, working with creators, studios, and platforms to scale microdramas and vertical storytelling worldwide.

Maria Isabella Andreoli

Maria Isabella Andreoli is a New York–based songwriter and theatre creator from Albany, NY. They are the co-founder of Butterfly Effect Productions, with work showcased at festivals such as SheNYC and Days of the Dead, and are a recipient of the 2024 ASCAP Lucille and Jack Yellen Award.

Matthew McClure

Matthew McClure is Director of Business Development at New World Symphony with 15 years of experience in audiovisual production and design. With a background spanning live production, creative technology, and acting, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to film and immersive media, with a passion for experimental art and emerging digital tools.

Michelle Carter

Michelle Carter is a program officer in Knight Foundation’s arts program, leading grants and partnerships that expand access to arts and culture. With 20+ years in the arts, plus backgrounds in dance and geology, she focuses on how artists help communities connect to place.

Mike Knowlton

Business Development Director at Campfire, he brings an entrepreneurial background shaped by indie music, self-taught programming, and leading tech projects for brands like IBM, MoMA, and Tiffany & Co. A founder of multiple creative businesses and StoryCode, he now focuses on building new opportunities and ensuring project success at Campfire.

Miles Perkins

Miles Perkins is an Industry Manager at Epic Games helping bring real-time workflows with Unreal Engine to film and television. With a background in VFX, XR, and interactive media, he previously served as VP of Marketing at Jaunt and spent 23 years at Lucasfilm, including leading communications for Industrial Light & Magic.

Min-Wei Kuo

Min-Wei Kuo is a project manager at TAICCA focused on international partnerships and promoting Taiwanese immersive content. With a filmmaking background, Kuo specializes in XR programming, festival strategy, and global collaboration. Previously, Kuo worked with Kaohsiung Film Festival’s XR Dreamland and VR FILM LAB, supporting VR content development and international distribution.

Minh Do

Minh is an entrepreneur, writer, and educator working at the intersection of media and technology. He co-founded Machine Cinema to support AI creators and teaches AI tools at Be Super. A co-founder of Fantastic Day, he has held leadership roles at EST Media Holdings and Vietcetera, with prior experience in venture investing.

Monica Monique

Monica Monique is a producer and creative innovation leader with more than 20 years of experience across live-action, branded, and experiential work for some of the world’s most recognized brands. She bridges the gap between traditional craft and generative AI to lead culturally defining projects for brands like Coca-Cola while championing the next generation of creative talent.

Monique Chiang

Producer at Hello World, she specializes in production and international liaison for art and technology projects. She has produced exhibitions and performances with institutions including MUTEK Montreal, TTXC Taiwan Technology & Culture Expo, the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei, and the National Taichung Theater, bridging art, technology, and global collaboration.

Nino Schramm

Deputy Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Miami, he joined the German Federal Foreign Office in 2005 and has held diplomatic and consular posts in France, Armenia, the United Kingdom, Iraq, and Berlin. He previously served at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C., and as Head of the Consular Section at the German Embassy in Baghdad.

Oriana Neidecker

Oriana Neidecker is a creative producer at nilor focused on immersive works that bring people into shared experiences. Working across AI systems, spatial storytelling, and performance, she develops projects from concept through production, collaborating with artists, engineers, and institutions to create meaningful, technology-driven experiences.

Paul Hoover

Paul is an interaction designer at Google working on the developer experience for Android XR and AI glasses. A veteran of the XR industry, he has held leadership and design roles at HTC, ShapesXR, Meta, and Magic Leap. He began his career at Microsoft working on Surface and has spent 23 years shaping emerging technologies.

Ping Sheng Wu

Ping Sheng Wu is a new media artist working across computer music, audiovisual performance, and installation. His work has been presented internationally, including collaborations with EMPAC, IRCAM, and Taiwan Sound Lab. He has received awards such as the Digital Art Performance Award and recognition from FilmGate, with works shown at festivals across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Rae Yen

Rae is a Senior Manager at TAICCA, focusing on international cooperation and the integration of Taiwanese cultural content with technology. With a background in theater and digital arts, Rae has worked as an independent producer and project manager across the tech-art and MICE sectors, specializing in cross-disciplinary strategy, partnerships, and cultural production.

Riccardo Acciarino

Riccardo Acciarino is a classical music soloist and CEO & Co-Founder of OOVIE Studios. An award-winning musician and entrepreneur, he has performed with leading orchestras worldwide and pioneered the world’s first Music Interactive Movies, premiering at the Venice Film Festival. His work sits at the intersection of music, technology, and cinematic innovation.

Salomé Chatriot

Salomé Chatriot is an artist, performer and filmmaker based between Geneva and Paris.

Savannah Niles

Savannah Niles / R.91.129 is an artist, designer, and founder building platforms for creators at the frontier of media and storytelling. She is CEO and co-founder of Wide Worlds, an AI-powered fan media platform, and a board member of FilmGate Miami. Formerly, she led product and design at Meta Reality Labs, Magic Leap, and Magnopus.

Scott W. Greenwald

Scott W. Greenwald, Ph.D., is an avant-garde leader in virtual reality and immersive technologies, serving as the founder and CEO of Three Space Lab, Inc., and as executive chairman of MIT Reality Hack.

Sebastián Acevedo

Sebastian was the co-founder and CEO of Memorable, an AI firm for ad creative effectiveness that was recently acquired by Reddit. Memorable was previously serving marketing leaders like Unilever, Mars, and Colgate.

Sonja Bozic

Sonja Bozic is a multi-award-winning filmmaker and Assistant Professor of Communication and Media at Adelphi University. Based in New York City, she has presented her work internationally and is currently developing Chocolate Milk, an immersive VR project exploring the mind of a person with autism.

Sophia Noel

Sophia brings 15 years of tech experience across companies like Airbnb, Databricks, and now ElevenLabs, the global leader in AI audio. Based in New York City, she leads Partner Marketing and created the ElevenLabs Impact Program, dedicated to empowering one million voices worldwide through AI.

Stephen Henderson

Stephen is a multidisciplinary designer exploring human creativity through architecture, scenography, web, video, and immersive experiences. At nilor, he works with emerging technologies to create playful spaces and collaborative storytelling, encouraging people to explore the richness of their everyday creativity and shared narratives.

Summer Powell

Summer Powell is an immersive artist and design director working at the intersection of art, technology, and experiential storytelling.

Sönke Kirchhof

Sönke Kirchhof is Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of XR studio INVR.SPACE, based in Berlin with branches in Munich and Hamburg. With 25+ years in XR, stereoscopic film, VFX, and R&D in arts and technology, he is an active speaker, lecturer, and industry advocate, serving in organizations including XR4EU and the EDFVR.

Tanya Bravo

Tanya Bravo is Founder and Artistic Director of Juggerknot Theatre Company, a Miami-based collective known for pioneering immersive and site-specific theatre. For over 20 years she has created performances that transform unexpected locations into theatrical worlds, producing 50+ works and helping shape Miami’s contemporary performing arts scene.

Tanya Fueyo

Tanya Fueyo is a producer and co-founder of Playard Studios, collaborating with filmmakers and artists to develop story-driven film and immersive projects rooted in emotion, atmosphere, and creative exploration.

Tiffany Levy

A seasoned wellness mentor with over 1,000 hours of yoga training, an MBA, and an MBSR certification—and currently a student of Pranic Healing—she specializes in guiding busy professionals and entrepreneurs toward greater balance, clarity, and vitality.

Vicki L. Lopez

The Honorable Vicki L. Lopez was appointed to the Miami-Dade Board of County
Commissioners and sworn in on November 19, 2025, to represent District 5, bringing
decades of public service, community leadership, and professional experience to her
role.

Vivian Marthell

Vivian Marthell is an artist, activist, and producer with over 30 years of experience in the arts and nonprofit sectors.

Yamil Rodriguez

Yamil Rodriguez is a Puerto Rican American multidisciplinary artist using storytelling and AI-driven tools to create participatory experiences. Working across immersive cinema, performance, and installation, his work explores memory, identity, and collective connection. He most recently co-directed tAxI and is currently developing GAWD v. The People.

[dNASAb]

[dNASAb] is a media artist and filmmaker exploring cinematic storytelling in physical space. Through immersive film, video sculpture, and architectural installations, he transforms buildings into narrative environments where technology and emotion intersect. His work explores memory, digital culture, and systems shaping contemporary life.