DOK Exchange XR

DOK Exchange XR

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DOK Exchange XR is DOK Leipzig’s industry networking and inspiration programme on interactive and immersive storytelling with a focus on XR works and the sustainable development of the international community of XR creators, producers and distributors.
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Call for XR Projects now open!
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About

DOK Exchange XR strives to develop and flourish an international XR community of creators, experts, researchers, producers, storytellers, curators and distributors. We focus on building openness, equality and equity in the process of knowledge exchange. DOK Exchange XR 2025 will take place over two days, on 30 and 31 October.

In 2025 we are eager to explore projects addressing a wide range of themes and innovative approaches in immersive media, games, and AI-driven media. This year's DOK Exchange XR Programme takes a bold look at the politics of perception in immersive media and technology, guided by the following themes:

  • Memory and Cultural Narratives: How immersive media, games and AI reshape collective memory, identity, and embodied experience
  • Innovative and Impactful XR & Game Practices: Exploring experimental storytelling, cross-platform narratives, and the integration of physical and virtual realities and non-human roles
  • XR & Technology Literacy: Empowering diverse and young audiences and creators,  fostering inclusivity and critical engagement with immersive technologies
  • Ethics and Neuro-perception in XR: Responsible design addressing the challenges and limits of experiencing others’ stories and perceptions through embodied experiences

DOK Exchange XR has three parts

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DOK Exchange XR Conference

A 2-day event featuring brilliant speakers offering an in-depth exploration of XR creation, dynamic panel discussions with experts and creators, as well as an artistic programme. The conference covers the latest industry advancements and addresses important ethical issues.

An audience watches a big screen on which people wearing VR glasses are walking around
DOK Exchange XR Showcase

A presentation of selected cutting-edge XR projects, showcasing their work-in-progress in front of a live audience, followed by feedback from experts in the fields of research, funding, distribution, art, and technology.

A person with white hair is pulling vr glasses over his head, behind him one of the project teams is offers him headphones
DOK Exchange XR Prototyping Zone

An on site presentation of XR prototypes that are seeking support and feedback from experts and the audience on narrative, creative aspects, user experience, as well as exhibition and future distribution strategies. Projects can test their XRs with onboarding elements and conduct an audience survey.

Calls for Applications Are Now Open

Both open calls look for XR projects that: 

  • present an innovative and unique approach to storytelling;
  • explore artistic possibilities of immersive media, interactive technologies and augmented creativity (particularly spatial audio);
  • seek international collaboration, partners, producers, distributors;
  • (alternatively) take into account the ethical and social impact of XR and AI.

DOK Exchange XR Showcase

DOK Exchange XR Showcase is looking for XR projects which are at all stages of development, that do not have a prototype or do not need to present one.

DOK Exchange XR Prototyping Zone

DOK Exchange XR Prototyping Zone is dedicated to XR prototypes that are seeking support in improving and receiving feedback from experts on narrative, creative aspects, user experience, as well as exhibition and future distribution strategies.

How to Apply?

The deadline for applications is 14 August 2025. Read the DOK Exchange XR Showcase and XR Prototyping Zone Guidelines and FAQs (PDF) and start the application process here.

Please note that you need to login to myDOK account – or register for a new one – to access the application area.

Applications for DOK Exchange XR showcases are free of charge. However, projects selected for the DOK Exchange XR will be charged a participation fee of 150 € (plus 7% VAT if applicable) and will receive two accreditations (a value of 300€) for the entire festival as part of the fee.

Feel invited to become part of DOK Exchange XR! We can’t wait to discover your projects and meet you in Leipzig.

Apply with your XR project in development or prototype phase now
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DOK Exchange Curator & Coordinator

Weronika Lewandowska

exchange [at] dok-leipzig [dot] de (exchange[at]dok-leipzig[dot]de)

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Archive

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Project Archive

Want to discover the projects that have been part of DOK Exchange XR in recent years from 2020?

Browse the Project Archive (2020–2023)

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Re-listen to DOK Exchange XR 2024

In this 2024 XR Industry Podcast episode you can find out how our ears perceive space can transform storytelling. Host Weronika Lewandowska and guest co-host Oliver Kadel investigate the transformative impact of spatial audio across various mediums together with experts Aili Niimura and Ana Monte.

Listen in now:

“Shaping the Soundscape”

Collage of two portrait photos: Weronika Lewandowska at the left, Mads Damsbo at the right
Re-Listen to DOK Exchange XR 2023

In this 2023 XR Industry Podcast episode, Weronika Lewandowska and Matt Dambso explore the essence of AI-human creative exchange and learn how we can go beyond the limits of our imagination with new generative tools. Mads Dambso is the producer and creative technologist behind the groundbreaking film “About a Hero” – the first feature-length movie co-developed with AI.

Listen in now: 

“Creativity Through the Lens of AI”

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Co-Partner of DOK Exchange XR:

DOK Industry is realised with the support of Creative Europe MEDIA Programme of the European Union, the Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media upon a Decision of the German Bundestag.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the MEDIA sub-programme of Creative Europe. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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