Join our unique VR Hosting Workshop and become a Guardian of the Threshold
Calling all curious and creative individuals! Imagine, the biggest Fantastic Film Festival in The Netherlands, needs you. This is a unique casting call — the first of its kind in the country — for participants in our special Rites of Passage VR Hosting Workshop. Are you ready to redefine the art of hosting immersive experiences?
For almost a decade, Imagine has been programming immersive media like VR, AR, and mixed reality. We’re kind of an expert by now. This year, as part of our special Rites of Passage programme, we’re elevating the role of our VR hosts from a technical assistant to a crucial guide — a modern-day Guardian of the Threshold.
The host, reimagined
A VR host is more than a headset helper. They’re the first point of contact, the guide who helps users transition from our reality into the virtual world. Like Charon ferrying souls across the river Styx or the rabbit leading Alice down the rabbit hole, a host can make or break an immersive experience.
Imagine’s unique VR Hosting Workshop will explore the creative and performative potential of hosting. You’ll be trained to become a storyteller, a caretaker and a wise guide, blending technical knowledge with performative skills to create custom, unforgettable onboarding experiences.
What the Workshop offers:
- Professional training: Work closely with experienced storytellers, XR professionals, artists and the Imagine team to perfect your skills.
- Creative collaboration: Co-develop unique onboarding procedures with the creators of the VR works selected for this year’s Imagine festival.
- Valuable skills: Gain a professional hosting skillset that’s very valuable in the rapidly growing immersive sector in the Netherlands and beyond.
- Free participation & paid work: The workshop is free of charge for selected participants. Upon completion, you will be offered paid hosting appointments during the Imagine Fantastic Film Festival.
- An unforgettable experience: Have loads of fun, learn a new craft and experience the festival from the inside as a vital part of the Imagine team.
Who are we looking for?
We’re looking for curious individuals with a passion for new technologies and the performative arts. If you have an interest in VR, AR, live-action role-playing (LARP), escape rooms, or interactive theater, you might just be the perfect candidate.
Commitment
- Workshop dates: The workshop takes place over the weekend of September 19th – 21st, 2025. Kick-off is in the late afternoon of Friday, September 19th, followed by full workshop days on Saturday and Sunday. You are expected to attend the entire programme.
- Festival dates: Participants must also be available for paid hosting shifts on specific days during the Imagine Fantastic Film Festival, which runs from October 30th to November 9th, 2025.
Ready? Sign up now!
Application Deadline: 8 September
Results: 10 September
