# Félix Lajeunesse

Félix Lajeunesse is a Canadian film director, writer, and producer, and virtual reality director. He is the co-founder and chief creative officer at Felix & Paul Studios.

## Early life and education

Lajeunesse was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. He graduated with a film production degree from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at Concordia University.

## Career

In 2013, Lajeunesse co-founded Felix & Paul Studios with Paul Raphaël and Stéphane Rituit. The studio's first VR film, "Strangers with Patrick Watson," was released that same year, marking an early entry into cinematic VR storytelling.
Since then, Lajeunesse has co-directed over 30 immersive experiences, including collaborations with notable figures and institutions.

## Notable works

Some of Lajeunesse's notable works include:
* "The People's House," a collaboration with former President Barack Obama
* "Traveling While Black," created with filmmaker Roger Ross Williams
* "Space Explorers: The ISS Experience," a documentary series filmed aboard the International Space Station

## Immersive installation

Lajeunesse acted as creative director for "Space Explorers: The Infinite," a location-based VR experience co-created by Felix & Paul Studios and PHI Studio that launched in Montreal in 2021. This free-roaming exhibit invites visitors to experience life aboard the International Space Station.
Since its launch, "Space Explorers: The Infinite" has toured various locations, including:
* Canada
* U.S. cities such as Houston, Denver, and Charlotte
* Singapore

## Awards and recognitions

Lajeunesse has received various accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards for The People's House: Inside the White House with Barack and Michelle Obama and for Space Explorers: The ISS Experience.
Lajeunesse has also gained significant industry recognition for his work.
* In 2015, he was named in the Creativity 50 list by AdAge.
* In 2016, he was included in Fast Company's list of 100 most creative people in business, and was also named one of the 30 Execs to Watch by Variety.
* In 2024, he was inducted into the XR Hall of Fame by AWE.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Director | Writer | Note |
| 2023 | Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: The Seven Ravens | Yes | Yes | Interactive AR experience |
| 2021-2023 | Space Explorers: The Infinite | Yes | Yes | Large-scale interactive touring exhibit - 60 minutes |
| 2020-2022 | Space Explorers: The ISS Experience | Yes | Yes | 4 episodes |
| 2019 | Traveling While Black | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR documentary film |
| 2019 | Marshall From Detroit | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR documentary film |
| 2018 | Space Explorers: The Journey Begins | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR documentary series |
| 2018 | Jurassic World: Blue | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR fiction film |
| 2017 | Cirque du Soleil: Dreams of 'O' VR | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR fiction film |
| 2017 | The People's House: Inside the White House with Barack and Michelle Obama | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR documentary film |
| 2017 | Miyubi | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR fiction film |
| 2017 | Cirque du Soleil: Through the Masks of Luzia | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR fiction film |
| 2017 | The Confessional | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR documentary series |
| 2016 | Nomads | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR documentary series |
| 2016 | Cirque du Soleil: KÀ The Battle Within | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR fiction film |
| 2016 | Through the Ages: President Obama Celebrates America's National Parks | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR documentary film |
| 2015 | Inside the Box of Kurios | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR fiction film |
| 2015 | Jurassic World: Apatosaurus | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR fiction film |
| 2015 | Wild: The Experience | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR film |
| 2015 | Inside Impact: East Africa with President Clinton | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR documentary film |
| 2015 | Lebron James: Striving for Greatness | Yes | Yes | 5 episodes |
| 2014 | Introduction to Virtual Reality | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR documentary film |
| 2014 | Strangers with Patrick Watson | Yes | Yes | Immersive 360 3D VR documentary film |
| 2013 | The Sparkling River | Yes | Yes | 3D fiction film |
| 2009 | Tusarnituuq! Nagano in the Land of the Inuit | Yes | Yes | 2D documentary film |
| 2009 | Tungijuq | Yes | Yes | 2D documentary film |

### As editor

* Before Tomorrow (2008)
* The Journals of Knud Rasmussen (2006)

### As cinematographer

* Uvanga (2013)
* Before Tomorrow (2008)

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Result | Award | Category | Work |
| 2023 | Won | VR Awards | VR Film of the Year | Spacewalkers Extended |
| 2023 | Won | Webby Awards | Metaverse, Immersive & Virtual Technical Achievement | Spacewalkers Extended |
| 2022 | Nominated | South by Southwest | Innovation Award | The Infinite |
| 2022 | Won | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Immersive Experience, Nonfiction | Space Explorers: The ISS Experience |
| 2021 | Won | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Interactive Program | Space Explorers: The ISS Experience |
| 2021 | Won | Webby Awards | Science & Education and Best VR Video | Space Explorers: The ISS Experience |
| 2020 | Won | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Immersive Experience, Fiction | Gymnasia |
| 2020 | Won | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Immersive Experience, Nonfiction | Traveling While Black |
| 2020 | Won | FIPADOC | SMART Award | Traveling While Black |
| 2020 | Won | Webby Awards | best Documentary (Immersive And Mixed Reality) | Traveling While Black |
| 2019 | Won | B3 Biennial of the Moving Image | Best VR/AR/MR | Gymnasia |
| 2019 | Won | Manchester Animation Festival | Best VR Short Film | Gymnasia |
| 2019 | Won | Ottawa International Animation Festival | Best VR Animation | Gymnasia |
| 2019 | Won | Webby Awards | Best Video - Best Branded CInematic or Pre-Rendered | Isle of Dogs: Behind the Scenes in VR |
| 2019 | Won | Webby Awards | People's Voice | Isle of Dogs: Behind the Scenes in VR |
| 2018 | Won | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Immersive Experience | Miyubi |
| 2017 | Won | Peabody Awards | Virtual Reality/360 | Miyubi |
| 2017 | Won | South by Southwest | Special Jury Recognition | Dreams of 'O' |
| 2017 | Won | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Interactive Program | The People's House |
| 2017 | Won | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Immersive Experience | Nomads |
| 2016 | Won | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Interactive Media - Original Daytime Program or Series | Inside the Box of Kurios |