With over 18 years of experience in the interactive and immersive media industry, Yelena Rachitsky leads content innovation initiatives across Meta’s platforms, bringing a deep understanding of emerging technologies and user-centric storytelling. She currently serves as the Head of Emerging Formats at Meta, where she focuses on developing and launching next-generation content experiences that push the boundaries of creative expression. more...

McNitt is a writer and director. A pioneer of fusing storytelling and emerging technology, she is an Emmy Awards Finalist and recipient of the VR Grand Prize at The Venice Film Festival. From astronauts to astrophysics, McNitt explores the cosmic collision of science and art. She is the creator of SPHERES, a VR journey through the hidden songs of the Universe, Executive Produced by Darren Aronofsky, starring Millie Bobby Brown, Jessica Chastain, and Patti Smith. SPHERES made history as the first VR acquisition out of Sundance. Her latest short film, ANCESTRA, is a groundbreaking collaboration with Darren Aronofsky’s newest venture Primordial Soup and Google DeepMind — combining live-action and generative AI to tell a story of an expectant mother who draws on the strength of all that came before — past matriarchs to dying stars — to transform her love into a cosmic force to save her daughter’s life. McNitt’s work has appeared at Sundance, SXSW, AFI Fest, Cannes, CPH:DOX, Tribeca, Telluride, and Venice. more...