Immerse\Interact Grant Scheme

The Immerse\Interact Grant Scheme is a collaborative grant scheme of the Creative Industries Fund NL and the Netherlands Film Fund. The grant scheme stimulates projects within the interdisciplinary media landscape. Artistic research and experimentation in the field of digital storytelling and the use of interactive or immersive media are central to this.

From the crossover between film, design and digital culture, a new field has emerged in which digital pioneers, interactive designers and graphic designers work together with directors, screenwriters and producers to create innovative media productions. Together they are exploring the future of storytelling in a changing media landscape. This future is digital, sometimes interactive, sometimes immersive, sometimes in co-creation with an audience, but always thought from the power of the story.

Both producers and individual creators can apply depending on the amount of contribution requested. Applicants are based in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a member state of the EU, EEA or in Switzerland.

- Film producers and AV producers (a legal entity, not a sole proprietorship or VOF) with a demonstrable track record in the field of interactive storytelling or immersive media forms (360-degree video, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality) can apply.

- Individual creators producing the project themselves may also be eligible up to a certain contribution level if they have demonstrable expertise in interactive storytelling or immersive media forms. To apply, individual creators must be registered in the Chamber of Commerce register.
Individual creators applying for realisation must have at least one realised and screened project in the aforementioned disciplines. For this, a concise overview of realized projects must be submitted with the application describing the production experience and screening locations for each project.

This grant scheme is aimed at artistic projects (majoritarian Dutch film projects) with a supporting film component in which the storytelling, both fiction and non-fiction, in relation to interactive (web-based/mobile) or immersive media forms (360-degree video, VR, AR) is central. Crossovers in the form of transmedia productions and installations may also be considered.

The contribution is intended for carrying out research, optimizing an artistic concept and other preparatory work prior to the actual production phase.

development contributions applied for by the film producers/AV producers
€ 25,000 per project. In addition, a maximum of € 5,000 can be requested coaching. This coaching contribution must be part of the total amount applied for (maximum € 30,000) and be included in the budget. A CV of and motivation letter from the coach are part of the application.

development contributions applied for by the individual makers
€ 15,000 per project. In addition, a maximum of € 5,000 can be requested for coaching. This coaching contribution must be part of the total amount applied for (maximum € 20,000) and be included in the budget. A CV of and motivation letter from the coach are part of the application.

realization contributions applied for by the film producers/AV producers
Please note: In this phase, the producer cannot also be the director, scriptwriter or designer. A maximum of € 110,000 per project to cover the production costs. The Fund’s contribution amounts to no more than 85% of the production budget. The budget for the production phase must be balanced within six months of the grant being awarded. It is possible to apply for an additional contribution of € 5,000 for distribution, provided this is soundly justified. The costs must be part of the budget submitted with the application.

realization contributions applied for by individual makers
€ 35,000 (max) per project.

The Immerse\Interact Grant Scheme is a collaboration between the Creative Industries Fund NL and the Netherlands Film Fund. Applications within the Immerse\Interact Grant Scheme are handled by the Netherlands Film Fund. In order to prepare the application, it is important to acquire the right information based on the regulations and protocols. View this checklist.

During the evaluation, attention is paid to the following aspects:

development application

Content attachments/components:
- the synopsis;
- the artistic concept of the project, with due attention given to the narrative, users journey and technique;
- a vision on immersion and/or interaction, including an explanation of the media selected;
- a first step towards the look and feel of the project, with due attention given to the design and cinematic quality - possibly including a mood board or clips, etc.;
- the positioning of the project in relation to existing projects;
- a team work plan, including the allocation of tasks, phases and an explanation of the intended target group;
- the makers’ vision on the project;
- the coach’s motivation, if one is involved;
- visual material or a link to a portfolio.

Business attachments/components:
- a budget, clearly explained, and a finance plan;
- the CVs of the makers and/or coach involved;
- an option or other agreement between the producer, if one is involved, and the maker;
- an extract from the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, issued no more than one year ago.

realization application

Content attachments/components:
- the synopsis;
- the artistic concept of the project, with due attention given to the narrative, users journey and technique;
- a vision on immersion and/or interaction, including an explanation of the media selected;
- the look and feel of the project, with due attention given to the design and cinematic quality;
- a team work plan, including the allocation of tasks and phases;
- the makers’ vision on the project;
- viewing material or a link to a portfolio;
- the positioning of the project in relation to existing productions.

Business attachments/components:
- the CVs of the makers involved;
- a budget and finance plan;
- the financing confirmations;
- an explanation of the budget and financing with attention given to feasibility;
- a release plan: the intended target group, an explanation about reach, online or physical place of screening, communication and distribution strategy, including phases;
- a draft or other agreement between the producer, if one is involved, and the maker;
- if it is a co-production, a co-production agreement should be presented.

For each application, the advisory committee examines whether there is an accumulation of subsidies. Applicants supported by a multi-annual grant are expected to demonstrate how this subsidy relates to the application submitted to Immerse\Interact. This also applies to co-producers and other collaboration partners mentioned in the budget.

Projects that have previously received an grant from the Netherlands Film Fund and/or the Creative Industries Fund NL for a project are not eligible for a contribution for the same stage (development, realization) of that project. It is not possible to submit an application for the same project to one of the other schemes of the Netherlands Film Fund or the Creative Industries Fund NL in addition to the application to the Immerse\Interact Grant Scheme.

Applications (digital versions of the application form with attachments) must be submitted to the Netherlands Film Fund. Please note: You can submit the online application form until 17:00 hours on the day of the closing date. This digital application is leading in the assessment. To submit a digital application, you have to create an account in Frame, via the website of the Netherlands Film Fund.

Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be considered. The subsidy office checks applications for completeness and formal requirements as laid down in the General Regulations. Use this checklist (in Dutch only) before submitting your application to ensure it will be taken into consideration.

assessment
The Production department and Subsidy Office assess the production and business aspects of applications. If your application dossier meets the conditions, it will be submitted to an independent advisory committee, which will evaluate the application. The advisory committee issues a recommendation to the Board of the Netherlands Film Fund.

decision
The Board takes the advisory committee's recommendation into account in their decision on the application. You will be informed of this decision in writing.

All relevant regulations for Immerse\Interact can be found on the Film Fund webpage (in Dutch only)