BRIGHT PRO NETWORKING CONFERENCE

🕔  09:30 – 10:00   Welcome to Bright Pro Leipzig

Teresa Balestrieri – Co-founder & Project Manager, Bright Festival & Bright Festival Connect (Italy)
Paolo Löffler – Managing Director, Kunstkraftwerk (Germany)

Official greeting from
Tanja Alemany Sanchez de León – Head of Department, Head of Division for Innovation Policy and Digital Economy, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)

 

🕔  10.00 – 11.15 | Session I

       The Immersive Center Alliance: Building a Global Network for Immersive Art

Immersive art spaces are rapidly becoming cultural landmarks, blending digital innovation, artistic vision, and audience interactivity. This session introduces the Immersive Centre Alliance, a pioneering initiative connecting leading immersive venues worldwide, shaping a shared ecosystem for production, distribution, and audience development.

On stage:
Paolo Löffler – Managing Director, Kunstkraftwerk (Germany)
Denys Lavigne – President and Co-Founder, Oasis Immersion (Canada)
Can Florian Ahegger – CEO, Director / Owner at GIOLABS / CA Agentur (Luxemburg)
Robin Groenvald – Founder & Creative Director, Remastered (Netherlands)
Chris Höher – Creative Director, Visiodrom Wuppertal (Germany)

Moderator:  Stefan Kraus – Co-Founder and Director – The NODE Institute (Germany)

 

🕔  11.15 – 12.30 | Session II

      Beyond boundaries: Fostering Creative Innovation in New Media

This session explores how international cooperation and strategic partnerships are enabling artists, institutions, and creative companies to achieve shared goals.
We’ll present successful case studies of cross-border collaboration that have resulted in high-quality productions, innovative formats, and lasting impact.
From immersive installations to digital heritage projects, the discussion will show how global networks are shaping the future of digital creativity – unlocking opportunities that no single player could reach alone.

On stage:
Antoine Roland — CEO – Correspondances Digitales (France)
Max Permantier — Funding Executive XR – FilmFernsehFonds Bayern (Germany)
Uta Eberhardt — Funding Consultant Creative Europe Programme MEDIA (Germany)
Carole Kremer – FHead of Promotion & Communication Film Fund (Luxembourg)
Katharina Weser – Reynards Films Leipzig (Germany)

Moderator:  Stefan Kraus – Co-Founder and Director – The NODE Institute (Germany)

 

🕔  12:30 – 14:00  Networking lunch

 

🕔  14.00 – 14.30 | Focus Talk

      Cultural Engines: Wallonie‑Bruxelles’ ecosystem of innovation

This session spotlights the vibrant creative ecosystem supported by Wallonie‑Bruxelles International – Département de la Coopération Territoriale Européenne. Anchored by the Wake! community and a network of cultural institutions, this ecosystem bridges art, science, and technology through international cooperation.

On stage:

Marine Haverland – Co-founder, fomo.scene (Wallonia)
Aurélie Delanote – Project Manager & Communication at ST’ART Invest (Wallonia)
Alexandra GERARD – Co-Founder & Co-Director, UnitedXR (Wallonia)
Luka Rukonic – Project Liaison Officer, Université catholique de Louvain – MiiL (Wallonia)

Moderator:
Paul Hyvernat – Chargé de Projet Recherche et Innovation , Wallonie-Bruxelles International – WBI (Wallonia)

 

🕔  14.30 – 14.50 | Focus Talk

      The Future of Visual Experience 

powered by Epson

In a world where technology drives new forms of storytelling and audience connection, projection and imaging innovations are reshaping the art and entertainment landscape and the future of education. From immersive exhibitions to large-scale live events and classrooms we’ll dive into real-world projects and creative processes where technology becomes both tool and stage. Expert insights and case studies will highlight how Epson’s solutions continue to push the boundaries of visual experience design.

On stage:
Sarah Henkelmann Hillebrand –PAN-European Market Development Manager VP EPSON (Germany)
Joseph Mayo – Business Development Lead THINGLINK (Italy)

 

🕔 14.50 – 15.10 | Focus Talk

     Mastering Immersive Productions

powered by Stage Precision

How can data and technology become creative building blocks for storytelling? This talk reveals how their platform turns complex technical setups into intuitive tools for designing immersive and hybrid experiences. From responsive lighting and movement to dynamic scenography, it’s about giving artists, designers, and technologists the control and flexibility to craft spatial narratives where data shapes emotion, performance, and audience connection.

On stage:
Sarah Cox – Chief Commercial Officer – Stage Precision GmbH (Germany)
Thomas Giegerich — Managing Director – BRIGHT! Studio (Germany)

 

🕔  15.10 – 16.30 | Session III

       New Dimensions for Experience Design

As audiences seek deeper, more meaningful interactions, brands, cultural institutions, and creative professionals are embracing immersive storytelling, interaction design, and AI-generated content to connect in innovative ways.
This session explores how digital creativity is transforming not only brand communication and marketing but also public engagement and audience activation across sectors.

On stage:
Thomas Giegerich — Managing Director – BRIGHT! Studio (Germany)
Nina Wlodarczyk — Project Lead and Co-Currator of ZKM Karlsruhe.ZKM (Germany)
Can Florian Ahegger – Director / Owner at GIOLABS / CA Agentur
Rocco Pucci — PAN European Business Development Immersive Experience – Epson (Germany)
Mike Jaeger — Director Strategy & Creation – MCI Marketing Agency (Germany)

Moderator: Stefan Kraus – Co-Founder and Director – The NODE Institute (Germany)

 

🕔  16.30 Transfer to Kunstkraftwerk Leipzig (10 minutes walk distance)

 

🕔  17.00 – 19.00 

      Bright Festival Connect _Art Exhibition Tour

Following the conference, enjoy a thrilling journey into digital creativity and explore the artworks on display at Bright Festival Connect. From immersive experiences to interactive light and sound installations, discover outstanding creations by international artists and visionary minds. 

 

🕔 19.00 – 21.00 

      Networking Cocktail

Relax, connect, and continue the conversation with speakers and fellow guests over drinks and light bites. A perfect moment to exchange ideas and spark new collaborations in a friendly and creative atmosphere.