AGORA

Alexandre Saunier

Alexandre Saunier is an artist, professor in the Audiovisual department at LUCA School of Arts — KU Leuven, and senior researcher at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). With a deep interest in the theories and histories of media arts, artificial intelligence, cybernetics, and complex systems theory, his work merges artistic practice with academic research, focusing on the interactions between light, sound, autonomous systems, and sensory perception.

Alexandre holds a PhD from Concordia University (2023), where he studied the contemporary and historical practices of light as an artistic medium driven by real-time computational systems. His previous studies include mathematics and physics (CPGE, 2009), sound design and engineering (ENS Louis Lumière, 2012), and he was a fellow at ENSADLab, where he conducted research on behavioral robotics and interactive lighting (ENS Arts Décoratifs, 2015).

Alexandre’s artistic and research work is regularly presented at major international venues, including CTM Berlin, Mutek Montreal, Elektra BIAN, Festival Internacional de la Imagen, Ars Electronica, ISEA, Impakt Festival, MuffatHalle, Bcn_llum, ALIFE Conference, Media Art History, and Nuit Blanche Toronto.

Alexander Gerner

Alexander Gerner is a media philosopher and Tenure-Track Research Professor at Universidade Lusófona/ FilmEU European University. He investigates technology relations, AI aesthetics, artistic research, and algorithmic cinema, such as AI avatars. His research examines arte(f)actors—artifacts simulating agency and mimicking actors through generative, agentic, and gamified systems of synthetic intimacy and persuasive computing —while experimenting with soliloquy production architectures and para-medially in human-machine interfaces in Cinematic and Play Media. Currently working on Climate Theater, Urban Ethics, Human Rights, and contemporary challenges in urban design, particularly in the context of environmental sustainability social equity in digital and green transformations, his theoretical framework interrogates how AI and algorithmic processes reshape media presence, creative artistic workflows, educational frameworks and skills in artistic practices contributing to foundational questions of computational performance in contemporary media arts heeding policy impacts on the audio-visual fields between art and technology.

Anton Saenko

I am a second-year Sound Design student at NATFA, specializing in film and television sound. I have a strong background in video editing and sound for film, combining creative and technical skills to support storytelling. With experience in both editing and sound design, I focus on creating immersive audio environments for film projects. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, I continuously explore how new technologies, including AI, can enhance the creative process.

Ciara Schaefer

Soon

Cocompi

Composer-performer, sound designer and non-binary artist from Peru. They use digital and computational techniques, along with immersive sound and new technologies, to explore the tensions between identity, performativity, and political action.

Collaborating in projects across film, new media, performance and XR, their work is driven by experimental, interactive and socially engaged practices. Cocompi holds a BA in Music Composition from PUCP (Peru), and an Erasmus scholarship for the Kino Eyes – European Fiction Film Masters.

Fredrik Fleischer

Fredrik Fleischer is a multidisciplinary filmmaker with 10 years of experience in the film, TV, and media industry. His work spans short films, music videos, trailers, corporate content, animations, and social media campaigns.

Currently studying Multiplatform Storytelling and Production, he's looking to bring his creative expertise to new collaborative projects.

Kärt Laidma

Kärt Laidma is a third-year student at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts Institute at Tallinn University, Estonia, studying Integrated Arts, Music and Multimedia. As a multidisciplinary artist, her work spans a wide range of creative expressions, from traditional art forms like drawing, painting, and sculpture to audiovisual projects such as animations, short films, and music videos. Kärt has participated in both Estonian and international projects, gaining experience in different creative environments. Her particular interest lies in blending various mediums, such as dance, performance, video, and sound, into cohesive and immersive experiences.

Katrin Sigijane

Katrin Sigijane is a Visiting Lecturer of Audiovisual Solutions and Project Manager at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School (BFM) of Tallinn University, Estonia. With a background in audiovisual art (MA) and a MSc degree in Digital Learning Games, she bridges the worlds of storytelling, education, and technology. In addition to teaching multimedia, animation, and media literacy, Katrin is passionate about developing educational and innovative programs and environments that combine storytelling with the psychology of persuasion. Notable examples include the BFM Children's Film School for children aged 6 to 16 and the Game Design program "Tudeerum" for high school students. In the context of both creativity and media literacy, she is fascinated by the opportunities and possible threats (fake news, ethics etc) of AI.

Leila Atabua

I consider myself primarily a 3D artist with a passion for film making, debuting as a director in June 2025.

I worked on the first Ugandan 3D animated series and was team leader of Women In Animation Uganda until I pursued the Erasmus ReAnima Masters in Animation.

I developed a project to create an African digital asset library for the entertainment and content creation industry which was shortlisted top 10 for the THU Sony talent League.

I Taught animation at the National Ugandan University Makerere and worked on multiple artistic projects with The British Council and Goethe Zentrum to develop and support artists in Africa.

Leonid Davydov

Leonid Davydov is a Russian student studying animation at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA) in Sofia, Bulgaria. He is an alumni of Deutsche Schule Sofia, which is part of the German Abroad Schools network (DAS).

For him, the canvas is a place where he can visualize anything and bring life to drawings. He is always on the lookout to improve his skills to one day create an animation studio, which will be able to bring compelling stories and entertainment to the masses.

Michelle B. Larsen

I have been working with film for the past seven years, primarily focusing on short films and other fiction-based projects. My main area of expertise lies in sound – both recording on set and creating immersive sound design in post-production. Currently, I am studying Multiplatform Storytelling & Production to broaden my creative horizon and explore new ways of telling stories across formats and media. I’m curious about how emerging tools like AI can challenge and enhance creative workflows and storytelling perspectives in film.

Mohammed Cherbatji

Mohammed Cherbatji is a Lecturer at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT). He has an MSc in Software Engineering & Database Technologies and currently teaches in subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Front-End Development, Back-End Development, Web Design, and more.

He has contributed to several Erasmus+ research projects. In addition, he has led multiple projects focusing on UI/UX design, system design and development, web development, and Generative AI platforms.

His research interests are centred around Natural Language Processing, Generative AI, and other related areas.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9683-0863

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammedche/

Silvester Buček

Silvester Buček is a Lecturer at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (VŠMU), Masaryk University, and the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava (UCM). He holds an Art Doctorate with a specialization in Digital Games and teaches subjects such as Game Analysis, Game Design, and Games in Education, combining academic insight with creative practice.

As a co-founder of the Central and Eastern European Game Studies (CEEGS) conference, he fosters regional collaboration in the field of game research. He has also worked with the Slovak Ministry of Education on curriculum reform, with a particular focus on digitalization and its role in modern curricula.

His research focuses on the future of education and the evolving language of games as a cultural and artistic medium.

Thomas Bjørnsten

Thomas Bjørnsten is Head of Research Program at VIA University College’s Research Center for Animation, Film, and Digital Processes. He holds a PhD in Aesthetics and Culture from Aarhus University and works across disciplines at the intersection of XR technologies, digital media, and experimental design practices.

His research has focused on creative approaches to data visualization and sonification, sound studies, and visual culture. Currently he is engaged in research and development projects related to XR-based simulations for cross-sectoral training, Human-Centric AI application, and digital tools that support co-creation and citizen participation in climate change adaptation efforts.