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VP Gathering 2025
"Shaping the Future of Digital Storytelling"
"Shaping the Future of Digital Storytelling"
Welcome to the 5th Annual Virtual Productions Gathering, set to unfold in the vibrant city of Breda, The Netherlands, on the 9th and 10th of April, 2025.
As we celebrate our fifth year, we’re taking a fresh approach by focusing on the art of digital storytelling, moving beyond the technical facets of Virtual Production to explore how we can shape narratives in the digital age.
This year, we are excited to host a diverse lineup of speakers from around the globe, each bringing unique insights and experiences that enrich our theme of storytelling. Whether you’re a content creator, a technical specialist, or someone passionate about the evolving landscape of digital media, this festival promises to offer valuable perspectives and innovative ideas.
The VP Gathering is not just an event but a community hub for Virtual Production professionals to connect, share, and learn from each other. Over two dynamic days, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with thought leaders, creative visionaries, and industry peers.
Day one (April 9) is an exclusive, invite-only event for representatives of the educational institution landscape, while Day two (April 10) opens up to the broader VP community, including a networking mixer in the evening to wrap up the festival on a high note.
Mark your calendars and join us in Breda for a truly exceptional event dedicated to pushing the boundaries of digital storytelling in
Virtual Productions. It’s an opportunity to ignite your creativity, expand your network, and gain insights that will shape your professional journey.
In case of any inquiry, feel free to contact us: bathog.z@buas.nl
April 9, 2025 | 9h00 17h30
The exclusive Educational Day is designed for higher education professionals and academics in media, arts, games, and entertainment, the event features live VP demonstrations, expert-led panel discussions, and student project showcases. Attendees will explore cutting-edge VP technology, gain practical insights, and network with educational peers in a dynamic, collaborative setting.
April 10, 2025| 9h00 17h30
The open Industry Day highlights the transformative impact of Virtual Production on narrative creation, with exclusive presentations from acclaimed filmmakers, live demonstrations of cutting-edge VP solutions, and a marketplace showcasing the latest industry innovations. Attendees will engage in expert panel discussions, private partner meetings, and a networking mixer, making it a must-attend event for professionals shaping the future of digital storytelling.
Kathryn is a Cinematographer, Director, and Producer specializing in volumetric capture, virtual production, and in-camera visual effects. With over a decade of experience, she has contributed to redefining industry standards and advocates for diversity through her roles with the Visual Effects Society and SMPTE. Her work includes major projects like Black Adam, Rebel Moon, and Amazon’s Fallout.
Cinematographer Erik “Wolfie” Wolford specializes in features, commercials and documentaries. Wolfie came up through the lighting department in the 90’s lighting features, music videos and commercials with legendary directors Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, Mc. G and Francis Lawrence. Soon Wolfie was joining lighting crews on features including Iron Man 3, Star Trek: Into Darkness, and Interstellar. He is an expert in filming LED volumes, certified by Epic games in Unreal Engine, and ICVFX.
Adrian is a Virtual Production Supervisor at Fireframe, where he has worked on diverse productions worldwide. His credits include notable projects like “Poor Things” and “Constellation”, collaborating with clients such as Netflix, Apple TV+, and Amazon. He’s working on connecting the different media industries and has explored everything from Live Events to Broadcast shows in addition to feature films and commercials.
Rob Chandler, a former Global Director of Events at Salesforce, pivoted to virtual production during the pandemic, founding Starting Pixel—a global community of over 1,000 members across 70+ countries. Starting Pixel is a dynamic platform supporting virtual production innovation, from in-camera VFX to AI in digital environments, and serves as a vital resource for industry leaders and newcomers alike.
Georgina Cammalleri is a BAFTA-winning and Sports Emmy-nominated filmmaker known for blending storytelling with technology. Her directorial work includes Netflix’s Horse Hitman and Right to Fight. Prior to directing, she produced acclaimed documentaries such as the BAFTA-winning Gun No. 6 and Taken: Hunting the sex traffickers.
Michael is the CEO and Co-Founder of Final Pixel, a creative innovation agency & filmworks. He holds the vision of how we will revolutionise visual storytelling and content creation globally using new technology. He is a leader, an innovator and a disruptor, operating at a unique intersection in technology, creativity and business.
As the Head of Final Pixel Academy, Jodi is responsible for talent development pipelines for virtual production and real-time technologies focusing on closing the skills gaps within the creative industries.
Rhys is an accomplished 3D artist, volume operator, and virtual production technician with expertise in a wide array of systems, including greenscreen live composites and LED volumes. With a BA (Hons) in “Computer Arts” and two Master’s degrees in “3D Design” and “Virtual Production”, Rhys brings both technical expertise and creative insight to modern production workflows.
Joan is a pioneer in the creative industries. He founded Artepict in 1997, an animation and online gaming studio, before working as a Producer at Ubisoft and Creative Director at Rovio (Angry Birds). Transitioning to education, he led renowned French Digital Arts schools, LISAA and ARTFX. Now, as Post Secondary Education Director at Epic Games, he helps creative industries adopt Real-Time Technologies.
Ian is a serial technology entrepreneur with start-up experience in Europe and the USA, Ian’s activities have crossed aerospace, process control, entertainment and architecture. He is currently Professor Transdisciplinary Design Networks at Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE) where his Trans Realities Lab (TRL) is investigating applications of real-time collaborative networked XR in education, design, production and research. His latest artistic projects explore the use of VP/XR mediated environments within live performance.
Mata Haggis-Burridge (they/he) is Professor of Creative and Entertainment Games at Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) and a writer/designer of video games. They have worked on indie and AAA games, including well-known IPs such as Resident Evil, Dying Light, Aliens Vs Predator, and Satisfactory.
Chris Ebeling is a Creative Director, Entrepreneur, and Digital Artist with expertise in gaming, VFX, animation, AI, and transmedia. Currently a Partner and Education Consultant for Epic Games, he also leads his digital consulting agency, Beyond Horizon, where he’s driving initiatives like the European Innovation Alliance PANEURAMA and establishing Centers of Excellence across Europe focussed on Digital Media.
Stefan Albertz, a professor of 3D Animation and Visual Effects at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, has a rich history in 3D production and postproduction. His experience includes roles as a Lead 3D-Artist and consultant for Wim Wenders’ Oscar-nominated documentary Pina, contributions to 3D HFR content for The Hobbit trilogy, and work on the Interoperable Master Format (IMF) at Rohde & Schwarz. A SMPTE member and multiple award winner, he now focuses on real-time graphics and AV technologies, and is developing a multipurpose VFX Lab at his university.
Simon Spielmann is part of the R&D Department at the Animationsinstitut with focus on software development, real-time graphics and XR. He graduated from Bauhaus University Weimar as Media Scientist, later worked as a software developer before joining the Animationinstitut as a Principal Engineer. He is also responsible for the scientific counseling and supervision of the Technical Director Course at the Filmakademie.
Volker Helzle is in charge of R&D at Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. He graduated from Stuttgart Media University, later worked in the USA at Eyematic Interfaces before joining the Filmakademia to establish the Technical Directing course there. Volker is also one of the FMX program consultants.
Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas)
Monseigneur Hopmansstraat 1, 4817 JT, Breda, The Netherlands
