Fourteen B.C. Companies Receive Funding to Advance Interactive Digital Media Projects through Creative BC and BC Arts Council

Vancouver, B.C. (February 20, 2025) – Today, the BC Arts Council and Creative BC are pleased to announce the recipients of their Interactive Fund partnership. This year, the program will support 14 B.C. companies with $600,000 to develop original interactive digital media and software projects that present clear connections between art and technology. 

An annual program, the Interactive Fund empowers artists and creators to push boundaries with high-quality digital projects and immersive technologies. This year’s projects showcase remarkable innovation, ranging from equity-focused storytelling apps and immersive gallery installations to a cross-media AR-integrated board game and interactive touch board instruments. By fostering the development of cutting-edge digital experiences, the Interactive Fund reinforces British Columbia’s position as a leader in this dynamic and creative industry.  

Acknowledging that there have been systemic barriers to access and that supporting new and diverse talent is crucial to a vibrant and thriving creative sector, 93% of the funding is distributed to companies that have ownership from individuals who self-identify in one or more of the following systemically excluded groups: Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, Women, Non-binary, or people with disabilities. This program embodies Creative BC’s actions for equity and inclusion in program delivery and aligns with the BC Arts Council’s Extending Foundations Action Plan. 

The following projects are this year’s successful recipients: 

1. AR Prototypes, MacMillan Space Centre Society, Vancouver ($45,200) 
2. Big Country, Tidepool Games, Vancouver ($43,250) 
3. Ectopia, Tooth and Nail Pictures, Saanichton ($50,000) 
4. Fading Places, Edward Madojemu, Burnaby ($50,000) 
5. Generation Exile, Caledonia Games, Vancouver ($50,000) 
6. Mars Rovin’, GreenForest XR, Coquitlam ($50,000) 
7. Shiki & Kū Exhibition 2025, Yota Kobayashi, Vancouver ($50,000) 
8. SporeBloom, Antigen Interactive, Vancouver ($50,000) 
9. Stika: The Game, Iklo Studios, Vancouver ($50,000) 
10. Story Booth, Golden Eagle Rising Society, North Vancouver ($45,000) 
11. The Mysteries of Tosola, Red Plus Blue Stories, Squamish ($50,000) 
12. Timeless: Echoes of Distant Tales, BrainSwitch Labs, Vancouver ($43,250)
13. Touch Boards – Towards an Embodied Instrumentality, Giorgio Magnanensi, Roberts Creek ($13,300) 
14. VRCS (Virtual Reality Cafe Simulation), Clip Through Interactive, Nanaimo ($10,000) 

View a list of the recipients by program online here. To learn more about the Interactive Fund, visit Creative BC’s website: creativebc.com/interactive-fund 

Quotes: 
Honourable Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
“We are proud to support these artists and creators who bring B.C. stories to life through diverse perspectives in the interactive digital world, so that everyone in the province is represented, respected, and valued. It’s innovative projects like these that help make our province a leader in the global interactive digital media industry.”  

Nina Krieger, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film
“This program opens doors for artists and creators to explore new possibilities when art and technology meet. It’s particularly meaningful for those who’ve faced barriers in the industry, giving them the resources and encouragement to share their unique perspectives. I’m inspired by the incredible creativity in these projects and excited to see how this year’s recipients will help shape the future of digital media in B.C.”  

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC
“Creative BC is pleased to collaborate once again with the BC Arts Council to support 14 diverse projects that blend the arts and interactive media, creating compelling stories through digital and immersive experiences. By investing in exploration and innovation, these projects not only push creative boundaries but also enhance B.C.’s global reputation in the dynamic world of interactive and digital media.”  

Dr. Sae Hoon Stan Chung, Chair, BC Arts Council
“Congratulations to all the recipients of this year’s Interactive Fund. BC Arts Council is proud to partner with Creative BC to support original, interactive digital media projects through this program. We are thrilled that funding is going to support equity-led organizations who are inviting audiences to experience the arts through technology, connecting people in new ways, and showing us how art is important in all facets of our lives.” 

Julie Puech, Co-Founder, Red + Blue Stories
“The generous funding from Creative BC and the BC Arts Council allows us to bring a new instalment of interactive storytelling fun to Canadian families with The Mysteries of Tosola—helping us share the joy of interactive storytelling with a wider audience.“
 

Media Contact:
Creative BC
Lisa Escudero
media@creativebc.com
+1 604-730-2235 

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About Creative BC
Creative BC is an independent non-profit society created and supported by the Province to sustain and help grow British Columbia’s creative industries: motion picture, interactive and digital media, music and sound recording, and magazine and book publishing. The society delivers a wide range of programs and services with a mandate to expand B.C.’s creative economy. These activities include: administration of the provincial government’s motion picture tax credit programs; delivery of program funding and export marketing support for the sector; and provincial film commission services. Combined, these activities serve to attract inward investment and market B.C. as a partner and destination of choice for domestic and international content creation. The society acts as an industry catalyst and ambassador to help B.C.’s creative sector reach its economic, social, environmental, and creative potential both at home, and globally. Website: www.creativebc.com 

About BC Arts Council
The BC Arts Council (BCAC) was created in 1995 as an agency of the Province of British Columbia under the Arts Council Act. The BCAC nurtures and supports arts and cultural activity in communities across British Columbia. From community arts in rural and urban centres, to individual artists, professional performing arts companies, Indigenous artists and cultural organizations, art galleries, local museums and music festivals – BCAC supports a range of activities while engaging with artists and communities to inform policies and programs. Website: www.BCArtsCouncil.ca