Editorial

Abstract

The Interactive Film and Media Journal advances scholarly and creative discourse on the intersection of interactivity and various media forms. This issue features contributions from the IV International Interactive Film and Media Conference (2022), coordinated by a diverse group of academics. The conference theme, Interactive Epistemology, Listening, and Ecomedia, facilitated an exploration of knowledge-building, listening, and ecological consciousness within interactivity. Emphasizing the importance of listening as a mode of knowledge production, the issue promotes a holistic understanding of interactivity across different research areas. The contributions address the role of interactivity in media, such as books, films, games, and real-time streaming, along with virtual and augmented reality. They provoke thought on interactivity's embodied and affective aspects and explore interactive technologies' influence on power relations and ecological concerns. The papers in this issue converge on themes like empathy and responsibility, illuminating the power of interactive digital media to reshape the understanding of social issues. For instance, interactive narratives, VR and games employ participatory elements to bring nuanced portrayals of migration experiences to the forefront. This approach encourages critical reflection and social responsibility. This issue also explores the transformative potential of interactive documentaries in varied contexts, highlighting their effectiveness in altering perceptions of history, socio-political phenomena, and power dynamics. These documentaries foster inclusivity and dialectical reflection, urging viewers to engage in complex narratives embedded in various landscapes. Some papers explore the impact of digital and artistic mediums on shaping space, narrative, and community engagement. The issue showcases how machine learning and public art can address mimetic trauma and discrimination and how digital comics and web-based artworks can redefine concepts of spatial interactions and narrative structures. A particular emphasis is placed on immersive technologies like VR and immersive journalism in civic engagement, underlining the power of these mediums in addressing social and environmental concerns. Exploring art and interactive documentary, specifically in the context of historical violence and colonial legacies, adds a significant dimension to the issue. This second set of papers from the 2022 Interactive Film and Media Conference highlights the transformative power of interactivity in reshaping narratives, promoting critical reflection, and fostering social responsibility. It emphasizes the crucial role of interactive media in fostering a more inclusive, empathetic, and informed society.