The Columbia University School of the Arts' Digital Storytelling Lab (Columbia DSL) is thrilled to invite you to the second edition of the Breakthroughs in Storytelling Summit, a gathering that shines a spotlight on works pushing at the edges of narrative possibilities.
This year's summit delves into the themes surfaced from the 2025 Breakthroughs in Storytelling Awards. Together we will explore generative systems for storytelling, the immersive world of AI/Robotics, and the transformative power of discursive artifacts.
Designed to bridge theory and practice, the summit offers a series of talks, collaborative exercises, case studies, and hands-on rapid prototyping sessions. This blend of formats is designed to spark creativity, foster collaboration, and provide practical insights into applying innovative storytelling techniques.
Whether you're a storyteller, a technologist, an academic, or simply a narrative enthusiast, this event is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and pioneers at the intersection of technology and narrative.
The Columbia University School of the Arts' Digital Storytelling Lab (Columbia DSL) explores new forms and functions of storytelling through its programs, events and prototypes.
Registration
This event is free and open to the public. Register here.
Agenda
6:15 PM | Doors Open
Welcome to Breakthroughs in Storytelling 2025, a celebration of narrative innovation and emergent storytelling systems.
6:30 PM | Welcome & Opening Exercise
Led by Lance Weiler and Frank Rose
This participatory moment sets the tone for the evening: storytelling is no longer fixed. Together, we’ll explore how stories now live as systems—reactive, adaptive, and alive. Expect a guided prompt or quick activity that immerses the audience in this emergent narrative space.
6:40 PM | Opening Talk
Evan Shapiro
"Decentralizing the Story: Who Owns the Future of Media"
Evan Shapiro unpacks the seismic shifts transforming storytelling—from the rise of the creator economy to the fragmentation of media ecosystems. Shapiro explores new models for public media, challenges legacy systems, and offers bold strategies for storytellers and institutions to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Key Theme: Shifting Realities + New Forms of Media Consumption
7:10 PM | Lightning Talks: Student Perspectives
"Futuremakers: Voices from the Vanguard"
Three emerging storytellers from Columbia University share rapid insights from their applied studies
- Creative Producer: TBD—blockchain film experiments—rethinking ownership, provenance, and distribution in decentralized storytelling.
- Creative Technologist: TBD—explores emergent narrative systems shaped by AI, sensors, and mixed realities.
- Storyteller: TBD—shares a deeply human, sensory narrative that bypasses language and engages directly with the body.
Themes: Evolving Realities
7:30 PM | Open Case Study meets Prototype (IRL/Virtual)
Shar Simpson, Nick Fortugno & Lance Weiler
"Prototyping the Future: Interactive Case Study"
An interactive experience where audiences step inside a prototype of Last Human, a storyworld in progress. Shar Simpson (narrative designer) and Nick Fortugno (game designer) and Lance Weiler reveal the mechanics and methodologies behind building narrative systems that unfold in real-time. Expect live participation, questions, and ideation.
Themes: Shifting Realities, Networked Realities, Embodied Storytelling
8:10 PM | Panel: Breakthroughs in Storytelling Turns 10
Moderator: Frank Rose
Panelists: Sam Barlow, Yasmin Elayat, Annie Saunders + Special Guest
"A Decade of Breakthroughs: Storytelling Beyond the Frame"
Reflecting on 10 years of narrative innovation, this panel revisits landmark projects and looks toward the next era of storytelling. From branching narratives (Sam Barlow) to participatory media and immersive installations (Yasmin Elayat & Annie Saunders), these pioneers discuss how storytelling has moved beyond linearity into Shifting, Sensory, and Networked Realities.
Key Themes: Storytelling as a Multiverse, Systems of Control, Embodied Experiences
8:45 PM | Fireside Chat
Jazia Hammoudi + Special Guest
“Generative Storytelling and the Rise of the Responsive Machine”
A conversation about storytelling’s newest frontier: systems that adapt, learn, and co-create. From AI-driven characters to autonomous worlds, this session explores how robotics and generative intelligence are reshaping the role of the storyteller.
9:20 PM | Closing Remarks & Checkout Exercise
Led by Lance Weiler
"Storytelling as a Living System: What Happens Next?"
Lance Weiler closes the evening with reflections on how storytelling has evolved—and an invitation to co-create its next phase. Through a participatory checkout, attendees share a key insight, emotion, or question they’re leaving with.
Key Theme: Storytelling No Longer Fixed—It’s a Multiverse
