The TIFF market has announced the first slate of projects for its inaugural Innovation Hub, a new section of programming devoted to virtual reality, mixed reality and other immersive formats, presented by the Canada Media Fund.
The first TIFF market runs September 10-16 alongside the 2026 Toronto Film Festival (Sept. 10-20).
The eight selected Hub projects come from creators based in Canada, France, Denmark, the U.S., Germany, Belgium, Taiwan, Greenland and the Netherlands, and include a mix of world, international, North American and Canadian premieres. A nine-member committee reviewed submissions for the inaugural program.
The projects include interactive explorations of indigenous culture, including Mekwâc: Now Is Good, from Quantum Wampum/James Monkman Studio of Canada. The 360-degree interactive projection installation, which draws on Cree cosmology to create a space for reflecting on the relationships between water, land and memory, will have its world premiere at the TIFF market showcase.
Tartupaluk, a VR piece from acclaimed Greenlandic-Canadian artist Laakkuluk Williamson, is set on a small Arctic island within the territorial waters of the two countries. Framed as a tour of a fictional republic, it invites participants to earn citizenship among a community the project describes as a nation of circumpolar lovers, addressing the island’s history of competing territorial claims. It will be distributed by Hubblo and is having its world premiere at TIFF.
‘Tartupaluk’ by Laakkuluk Williamson
Scintilla / Nation of Lovers Productions / Ánorâk Film/Hubblo
Other highlights include Lesbian Simulator, from Dutch director Iris Van der Meule, a VR video game centered on the experiences of a lesbian character and focusing on themes of sexuality, love and discrimination. And The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up, from Taiwanese director Singing Chen, a single-user, large-scale free-roam VR experience adapted from a story by Taiwanese author Wu Ming-Yi. It follows a man processing his wife’s death through her unfinished novel. Both will have their Canadian premiere at the TIFF Innovation Hub.
‘Lesbian Simulator’ from Iris Van der Meule
Studio Biarritz – art et essai – Timescapes – Podium Biarritz
TIFF market head Charles Tremblay said the section is intended to give buyers a look at projects that combine new production approaches with formats beyond traditional film and television. “For buyers, it’s a prime opportunity to discover pioneering projects that transcend formats and borders and deliver the high entertainment value audiences are seeking.”
“These eight projects are the perfect complement to a diverse lineup of market programming that elevates the conversations around the future of global content,” added Geoff Macnaughton, TIFF’s vice president of market programming and theatrical.
The Innovation Hub is part of Toronto’s ambitious TIFF market, which is billing itself as an official platform for film and TV projects as well as IP sales, and immersive and innovative content across all platforms. The Innovation Hub will be housed on the 200-level of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and will be open to registered delegates for the duration of the seven-day market.
In addition to the installations, the market will run Speakers’ Summit Talks featuring Hub creators discussing their projects, along with panels on adapting intellectual property across multiple formats.
The Hollywood Reporter is the official media partner for the Innovation Hub.
Full list of Innovation Hub selections below:
Mekwâc: Now Is Good (Quantum Wampum/James Monkman Studio, Canada) — 360-degree interactive and immersive projection; world premiere.
Tartupaluk (Laakkuluk Williamson/Scintilla/Nation of Lovers Productions/Ánorâk Film; Canada, Greenland, Denmark) — VR; world premiere.
The Big Picture — Lunch Atop a Skyscraper (Chloé Rochereuil/TARGO; France) — VR; world premiere.
Interstellar Arc (Félix Lajeunesse and Paul Raphaël/Felix & Paul Studios; Canada) — free-roam VR; international premiere.
Lesbian Simulator (Iris Van der Meule/Studio Biarritz/art et essai/Timescapes/Podium Biarritz; Netherlands, Canada, Belgium) — VR; Canadian premiere.
Solwata (Felix Gaedtke and Gayatri Parameswaran/Human Rights Watch/NowHere Media/Agog; United States) — mixed reality installation; North American premiere.
Body Proxy (Tender Claws; United States) — AI glasses; Canadian premiere.
The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up (Singing Chen; Taiwan, Germany) — large-scale free-roam VR; Canadian premiere.
