digifest is a biennial International Festival of Design and Media Culture presented by Design Exchange in partnership with Harbourfront Centre and Ontario Science Centre. The Festival encourages excellence in interactive and interdisciplinary digital media design and technology, and supports the creators of new applications and content that will provide lasting economic, cultural and social benefits to Canadians. Previously an annual event, digifest is now a biennial event; the next Festival will be taking place in late March, 2008.

Programs will include charrettes, workshops and exhibits throughout 2007/8 that will inform and culminate in a public showcase in March. Please visit often for rolling calls for participation. Click here for more information on our upcoming charrette: Memory and Trauma: Facilitating Storytelling through Digital Media, September 12. Click here to register.

At digifest, audiences learn about the impact of design, science and art in all disciplines, including web, interactive, animation, gaming and 3D environments, through designer and artist-led installations, presentations and workshops.

Taking place March 27 - 30 2008, digifest will explore the topic of WATER'S EDGE, focusing on artistic approaches and interpretations of the themes of crisis, prevention, relief, expectation, surprise, rebirth, emergency – and the emergence of new ideas. DX and participating partners will involve new media artists, filmmakers, videogame creators, designers, scientists and more, in investigations of such topics as “relief housing” and “drinking water”.

digifest is the only festival of its kind in Canada and gives Canadians access to artistic experiences in the realm of digital media, as well as direct access to the artists/designers through presentations, question and answer periods, workshops and informal communication. It fulfills in part the Design Exchange’s mission to promote the value of Canadian design, through engaging and enriching programs, with a vision to establish Canada as a design leader worldwide.