EXPYLAB, Paraguay's Immersive Experiences Laboratory, has opened applications for its 2026 edition, aimed at artists, technologists, and creators from Paraguay and all of Ibero-America. For the first time since its creation in 2021, the program will accept candidates from all Ibero-American countries, promoting collaborative exchange in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, artificial intelligence, interactive design, animation, and other experimental audiovisual formats.
Applications can be submitted until May 31. The laboratory will take place from August 17 to 29 at the French Alliance of Asunción. The program is completely free: each participant will receive training valued at US$2,800, covered by the laboratory. Candidates from Paraguay's interior will have transportation and accommodation included. Additionally, up to eight Ibermedia scholarships will be awarded to citizens of member countries of the program, covering tuition, airfare, and accommodation in Asunción. Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela may apply.
EXPYLAB is aimed at professionals and students in directing, screenwriting, production, sound, music, photography, programming, visual arts, illustration, design, performing arts, editing, and technological development. The laboratory focuses on interdisciplinarity and the hybridization of artistic and digital languages.
During the two weeks, scholarship recipients will participate in intensive classes, personalized mentoring, collaborative laboratories, and pitch sessions. The closing will be at Expyfest, the Immersive Experiences Festival of Asunción, where projects will be exhibited and there will be professional meetings with international references.
Outstanding projects will compete for prizes such as participation in the NewMediaLab laboratory at the Narrar el Futuro festival in Bogotá; a one-month artistic residency in Essen, Germany, with Future Campus Ruhr; a paid internship at the company Realidad 360° Argentina - Markato in Buenos Aires; and English and German scholarships offered by the Paraguayan-American Cultural Center and the Paraguayan-German Cultural Institute.
Since its creation, EXPYLAB has awarded more than 90 scholarships, facilitated 20 international residencies and internships, and carried out activities that reached more than 4,500 people in Asunción and cities in Paraguay's interior.
The program has recognition from the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), the National Secretariat of Culture, the Chamber of Deputies, and the Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of the National University of Caaguazú. In 2023, it was distinguished by Meta and BID Lab as one of the ten most outstanding communities in Latin America and the Caribbean in the Metaverse Communities Challenge, for its work with virtual and augmented reality technologies with cultural and educational impact.
The 2026 edition is organized by EXPY E.A.S. and the French Alliance of Asunción, with support from the Ibermedia Program, the National Institute of Audiovisual of Paraguay (INAP), the Embassy of France in Paraguay, the Itaú Foundation, the Paraguayan-German Cultural Institute, the Paraguayan-American Cultural Center, and other cultural and educational institutions in the region.
The full terms and conditions are available on the EXPYLAB website.