I’ve been a fan of Power to the Pixel ever since I found a cache of amazing videos, including Nina Paley talking about Sita Sings the Blues.

They hold an annual Cross-Media Forum every year which I’ve been dying to go to. Ted Hope said this about his experience at the event in 2009:

It is not an exaggeration to say that the people I met and the knowledge they shared blew my mind. I saw the potential for immersive culture. I witnessed the growth of a community of visionaries. I had my hope restored for the culture, art, and society.

The Cross-Media Forum receives over 800 international delegates each year and is seen as an essential part of the calendar for anyone interested in exploring creative business and digital change.

You can see why I might want to attend.

And I am going. The lineup of speakers looks amazing, starting with the always inspiring Jeff Gomez of Starlight Runner and continuing with a day of exceptional case studies and presentations.

But it doesn’t end there.

Ruby Skye P.I. is one of 25 projects that will take part in the Pixel Market:

The Pixel Market is a co-production market with a difference, bringing together over 100 international financiers, commissioners and decision-makers from film, broadcast, publishing, advertising, mobile, tech and interactive and dedicated to financing cross-media projects from around the world.

So I will have the amazing experience of being with people who are creating crossmedia projects from around the world AND the people who are interested in financing it, commissioning it, licensing it and more.

I will also get to attend the Pixel Pitch when nine producers compete for the ARTE £6,000 Pixel Pitch Prize. Among the nine are two projects from Canada:

• Process: Cause & Affect from friend James Milward of Secret Location
• The First Zombie from producer: Jeff Norton who I look forward to meeting.

In fact, the Pixel Market selection of 25 — which includes the 9 projects in the Pixel Pitch — shows Canada once again punching above its weight. In addition to the two above and Ruby Skye P.I., there is also Fort McMoney from producer Philippe Lamarre.

Go Canada!