Softmachine Immersive Productions and Reef Distribution Celebrate Milestones at IPS 2024 in Berlin
Berlin, July 25, 2024 — At the International Planetarium Society (IPS) Conference 2024, held from July 21 to 25 in Berlin, Softmachine Immersive Productions and Reef Distribution marked significant milestones in their journeys within the fulldome and immersive event industries. The conference, themed “United Under the Sky,” brought together over 600 planetarium experts from more than 40 countries to discuss the latest developments and trends in the field.
Reef Distribution: Two Decades of Excellence
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Reef Distribution has established itself as a leading boutique distributor of high-quality content for fulldome theaters, planetariums, giant screen theaters, museums, aquariums, and themed entertainment venues worldwide. Over the past two decades, the company has been dedicated to producing and distributing original content that provides immersive entertainment and impactful education.
To commemorate this milestone, Reef Distribution hosted a Bavarian beer fest at IPS 2024, reflecting its Munich roots and celebrating with the global planetarium community. The event provided an opportunity for industry professionals to network and exchange ideas while honoring the company’s remarkable journey.
Reef Distribution’s reach extends beyond Europe, with a significant office in Las Vegas. This presence underscores the evolution of immersive media, where Munich’s deep-rooted planetarium tradition meets the cutting-edge advancements represented by venues such as the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Softmachine Immersive Productions: Pioneers in Fulldome Content Production
Based in Munich, Softmachine Immersive Productions is an award-winning animation studio specializing in 360° fulldome content. With over a decade of expertise in immersive storytelling, the company produces premium immersive content in 2D and 3D for digital cinemas, planetariums, science centers, entertainment parks, and virtual reality experiences.
At IPS 2024, Softmachine showcased its latest fulldome productions, demonstrating its commitment to pushing the boundaries of immersive storytelling. Having developed an extensive portfolio of fulldome content, Softmachine is now leveraging its expertise to offer immersive event consultancy, guiding clients in creating impactful immersive experiences that captivate audiences and drive engagement.
Munich’s Planetarium Tradition Meets the Future in Las Vegas
Munich, the birthplace of the modern planetarium, has long been a global center for immersive astronomical experiences. This tradition continues with Softmachine Immersive Productions, which recently collaborated with Kira to produce the centennial film for GDP (Gesellschaft Deutscher Planetarien), celebrating 100 years of planetariums and their role in education and entertainment.
While Munich represents the origins of fulldome innovation, the evolution of immersive media is embodied by Las Vegas’ Sphere, a groundbreaking venue redefining large-scale digital experiences. The presence of Reef Distribution’s office in Las Vegas further bridges these two worlds, connecting a legacy of scientific storytelling with the cutting-edge possibilities of modern immersive environments. By embracing this shift, Softmachine continues to expand the applications of fulldome storytelling beyond planetariums, offering its expertise to industries seeking transformative immersive experiences.
Expanding Horizons: Immersive Event Consultancy
Softmachine’s extensive experience in fulldome content production and immersive storytelling has positioned the company as a leading immersive event consultancy provider. By applying the principles of fulldome experiences to corporate events, trade shows, and product launches, Softmachine helps businesses craft unforgettable audience interactions.
Use Cases for Immersive Events
Softmachine’s expertise extends to various applications of immersive events, including:
- Immersive Product Launches: Transforming complex concepts into visually rich and memorable experiences, particularly effective for industries like pharmaceuticals, cybersecurity, fintech, and IT.
- Immersive Conferences: Creating powerful first impressions by integrating immersive storytelling into keynote presentations, positioning companies as visionary leaders.
- Immersive Destination Marketing: Showcasing locations through fulldome films that highlight cultural and technological achievements, offering a fresh perspective to inspire travelers.
- Immersive Education: Developing content that captivates both adults and young audiences, particularly in science and technology fields.
- Immersive Press Events: Providing journalists with an engaging experience that stands out from traditional press conferences, generating enthusiastic media coverage.
- Immersive Trade Shows: Offering innovative product presentations that make use of immersive media to demonstrate large-scale or intangible products in a compelling way.
- Immersive Jubilees: Celebrating company milestones with visually stunning storytelling that honors past achievements and sets the stage for future goals.
- Immersive Roadshows: Streamlining global promotion tours by utilizing a network of fulldome theaters, allowing for immersive content to be showcased worldwide with minimal logistical challenges.
Tina Ratterman: A Key Expert in Fulldome Show Distribution
A pivotal figure in the distribution of fulldome shows worldwide, Tina Ratterman has been instrumental in expanding the reach of immersive content. As a driving force at Reef Distribution, she has played a key role in curating and promoting top-tier immersive experiences. Her passion and expertise continue to shape the fulldome industry, making her an invaluable resource for both Reef and Softmachine.
Looking Ahead
As the IPS 2024 conference concludes, both Softmachine Immersive Productions and Reef Distribution look forward to continuing their collaboration and innovation in the fulldome and immersive event industries. Their shared commitment to excellence and passion for immersive storytelling ensure that audiences worldwide will continue to be inspired and educated through their groundbreaking work.
For more information about Softmachine Immersive Productions and its immersive event consultancy services, visit softmachine.de. To explore Reef Distribution’s fulldome catalog, visit reef-distribution.com.