TIFF market reveals first eight immersive Innovation Hub projects
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The TIFF Market has revealed the first eight projects chosen for its inaugural Innovation Hub, a new programming strand dedicated to virtual reality, mixed reality and other immersive formats, presented by the Canada Media Fund. The Hub forms part of the first-ever TIFF market, running from 10-16 September alongside the 2026 Toronto Film Festival, and is intended to give buyers early access to boundary-pushing content that sits outside traditional film and television.
The selected works come from creators based in Canada, France, Denmark, the United States, Germany, Belgium, Taiwan, Greenland and the Netherlands, chosen by a nine-member review committee, and span world, international, North American and Canadian premieres. Highlights include Mekwâc: Now Is Good, a 360-degree installation exploring Cree cosmology, and Tartupaluk, a VR tour of a fictional Arctic republic from Greenlandic-Canadian artist Laakkuluk Williamson addressing disputed territorial claims, both receiving world premieres. Other selections include Lesbian Simulator, a Dutch VR video game exploring sexuality and discrimination, and The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up, a Taiwanese VR experience about grief adapted from a Wu Ming-Yi story, both set for Canadian premieres. TIFF market head Charles Tremblay said the strand offers buyers a chance to discover projects that "transcend formats and borders."
- TIFF unveils eight VR/immersive projects for new Innovation Hub
- Hub runs 10-16 September alongside 2026 Toronto Film Festival
- Works span nine countries, chosen by nine-member committee
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The Toronto International Film Festival, known as TIFF, is a major annual film event in Canada that brings together filmmakers, audiences and industry companies. In 2026 it will also hold its first dedicated market, where distributors, investors and other buyers can look for projects to acquire or support.
The Innovation Hub is a new part of that market focused on immersive work, including virtual reality and mixed reality. These formats use digital technology to place viewers inside, or let them interact with, a story rather than simply watch it on a screen.
The projects were selected from several countries and cover subjects including Indigenous culture, Arctic territorial disputes, sexuality and grief. Their inclusion reflects growing interest among film and media companies in finding ways to present stories beyond conventional cinema and television.
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Originally published by The Hollywood Reporter as “TIFF Film Market Unveils Eight Projects for First Innovation Hub”.