Glitches in the Spectacle

Three Articulations of Hybridity and Fiction in Migration Visual Culture

The Hybrid-Fiction Database is a repository created to catalogue various forms of media hybridity in visual culture related to migration, produced between 2014 and 2024.

The database was developed as part of Giacomo Toffano’s PhD research (2020-2024) in Media and Communication at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Supported by the FWO, Research Foundation, Flanders – Scholarship Number 11J0221N.

NAMEYEARLANGUAGECREATORMEDIUMINTERACTIVECONVERGENT or INTERMEDIALPERMANENT/PERFORMANCEOVERTLY POLITICALINTENDED AUDIENCE/ CIRCULATIONTHEMEFUNDINGFACTUAL/FICTIONAL
Silent University2014EnglishAhmet ÖğütUniversity ProgrammeYesPossiblyPermanentDon’t knowAcademic ResearchersRefugees’ AcademiaMRC, Tate and the Delfina FoundationIn between?
The migrants files2014EnglishJournalism ++Web Data VisualizationYesPossiblyPermanentYesGeneral Public + Journalists Deaths at SeaConsortium of NewspapersFactual
Borderline2014Not SpokenNevin AladagVideo + Border CartographyNoNoPermanentNoMuseum AudienceBorder ManagementSelf FundedBoth
What if Manhattan2014EnglishHamdi Foundation + UNHCRTV CommercialNoNoPermanentYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsHamdi FoundationFictional
Even This Will Pass2014Not SpokenAida SilvestriPictures + Embroideries + CartographiesNoYesPermanentYesMuseum AudienceRefugees’ Trails Self FundedFactual
Liquid Traces2014EnglishForensic Oceanographymaps, video, 3D, DocumentsNoYesPermanentYeslegal proceedings, parliamentary auditionsHuman Rights Violation at SeaGoldsmith UniversityMore Factual
Last hijack2014EnglishTommy Pallottainteractive DOC, Comics, Data VisualizationYesYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicSmuggling, PiracyPublic Service BroadcasterFactual
89 Steps – Los Sures2014EnglishPov Sparks, Am DOCinteractive DOCYESPossiblyPermanentNoGeneral PublicImmigration / BelongingPBS – Pov sparksFactual
Atlantic.2014ArabicVan EwijkFilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ Trails?Fictional
Immigrant Nation2014EnglishTheo RigbyDocumentary, interactive storytelling WebsiteYesYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicImmigration / BelongingPBS – Pov sparksFactual
Queens of Syria2014ArabicYasmin FeddaDocumentary + PerformanceNoYesBothNoGeneral PublicWomena at ConflictOxfam/Refuge ProductionsBoth
Silvered Water2014ArabicOssama Mohammed and Wiam Simav BedirxanDocumentaryNoYEsPermanentNoGeneral PublicSyrian WarARTE France CinémaBoth
Cartographies Traverses (Crossing Maps)2014FrenchSarah Mekdjian and Anne-Laure Amilhat SzaryCartography + drawings+ Knittings + sound installationsYesYesBothYesGeneral Public + AcademiaRefugees’ TrailsEuBordescapesBoth
Im Land der Frühaufsteher2014GermanPaula BullingComic Book + CartographyNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicMigrant HospitalityAvant-VerlagBoth
Borderline2014Not SpokenNevin AladagVideo + Border CartographyNoNoPermanentNoMuseum AudienceBorder ManagementSelf FundedBoth
Those Who Feel The Fire Burning2014DutchMorgan KnibbeFilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsBALDR FilmFIctional
The displaced2015EnglishThe New York TimesVR DocumentaryYesYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicMigration TrailsNYTBoth
The fight for Falluja2015EnglishThe New York TimesVR DocumentaryYesYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicMigration TrailsNYTBoth
Seamless Transition2015No SoundJames BridleVideoNoPossiblyPermanentYesGeneral PublicAsylum Seekers ProceduresPrivate (Art Gallery Commission)In Between
Labyrinth2015EnglishNicolas StennmanTheater PlayYesNoPerformanceYesGeneral PublicAsylum Seekers Procedures?Fictional
So you think you can Stay2015English/NorwegianNorwegian Organization for Asylum SeekersTalent ShowYesNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicAsylum Seekers ProceduresFictional
BRAK2015EnglishLauren van LanckerFilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicBorders, DistopiaSelf FundedBoth
On the Bride’s Side2015Arabic/ItalianAugugliaro, Del Grande, Al NassiryDocumentary, PerformanceNoNoBothYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsCrowdfunded?In Between
Locust Girl – A lovesong2015EnglishMelinda BobisBookNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicBordersSelf FundedFictional
Vertigo Sea2015EnglishJohn AkomfrahMulti-Channel Video InstallationNoYesBothNoGeneral PublicColonialismSmoking Dogs FilmsFictional
Flotel Europa2015BosnianVladimir TomicEssay FilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicDetention CenterDanish Film InstituteBoth
Locking Up immigrants for Profit2015EnglishMolly CrabappleDrawings InvestigationNOYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicDetention CenterBoth
Eating The Refugees2016GermanZentrum Für Politische SchönheitVideo + PerformanceNoPossiblyBothYesLawmakers, GeneralRefugees’ TrailsSelf Funded + CrowdfundedFictional
Maps2016Not SpokenServet KocyigitTexile CartographiesNoYesPermanentNoMuseum AudienceMigration TrailsSelf FundedFictional
Nostra signora delle coperte isotermiche2016ItalianGiacomo Sferlazzo + Unknown MigrantStatue exhibition + PoetryYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicDeaths at SeaSelf FundedBoth
Flights & suspended2016EnglishArabella DormanInteractive Wall + Hanged ClingyYesYesPerformanceYesGeneral PublicDeaths at SeaSelf FundedBoth
Exodus2016English/ArabicHassan AkkadDocumentary + Migrant Phones FootageNoYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicBorder CrossingsBBCFactual
#Refugees – Human Flow – Safe Passage2016EnglishAi WeiweiDocumentaryNoYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsSelf Funded?Both
schaffen wird as2016GermanAxel Springercross-media digital journalismYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicMigration IntegrationAxel SpringerFactual
The mapping Journey Exhibition2016English/ArabicBushra KhaliliCartography + Drawings + VideoNoYesBothYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsSelf Funded?Both
Clouds over Sidra2016EnglishUNHCR3DYesPossiblyPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugee CampsUNHCRFactual
Havarie2016English/French/AlgerianPhilip ScheffnerDocumentaryNoNoPermanentYesGeneral PublicDeaths at SeaPong/Arté/FilmförderungsanstaltFIctional
Exodus: Our Journey to Europe (2016). 2016MultipleJames BluemelDocumentary SeriesNoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsBBCFactual
Auto Da Fé2016Not Spoken John AkomfrahVideo InstallationNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicMigration / Religion PersecutionSmoking Dogs FilmsFIctional
Les Sauteurs (Those Who Jump)2016French/BambaraAbou Bakar SidibéDocumentary (Self Shot and Found footage)NoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicBorder CrossingsDanish Film InstituteBoth
Constellations2016EnglishBouchra KhaliliCartography + Video + silkscreen printsNoYesBothNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsMomaBoth
Havarie2016English/French/AlgerianPhilip ScheffnerEssay FilmNoNoPermanentYesGeneral PublicDeaths at SeaPong/Arté/FilmförderungsanstaltFIctional
Blaming The Rescurers2017EnglishForensic OceanographyVideo, Infographics, Maps, 3D rendersNoPossiblyPermanentYesGeneral Public + Justice CourtDeaths at SeaGoldsmith UniversityIn between
The Absence of Paths2017English/ArabicLina LazaarPerformance + DocumentariesYesYesBothYesGeneral PublicRefugee CampsTunisian GovernementBoth
Ghost Boat2017EnglishEric ReidyParticipative web InvestigationYesPossiblyPermanentYesGeneral Public + Journalists Deaths at Searead MatterBoth
Stations of Crossings2017EnglishLuceoPaintingsNoPossiblyPermanentNoGeneral PublicBorder CrossingsUndisclosedFictional
Another News Story2017EnglishWallaceFilmNoNoPermanentYesGeneral Public Media Coverage MigrationCrowdfunded + OthersMore Factual
Stranger in Paradise2017EnglishGuido HendrikxFilmNoNoPermanentYesGeneral PublicMigration Power DynamicsPrivateFictional
Integration2017SerbianZoran TodorovicDocumentary + PerformanceNoPossiblyBothNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsPrivateFictional
Half a mile from Lampedusa2017EnglishTamara KametaniCianotypes fading without fixerNoYesBothYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsPrivateFictional
Roma Armee Faktion2017RomaniDamian Le BasCartography + DrawingsNoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicDisplacement, BordersFictional
The Sea Stayed Calm for 180 Miles2017Not SpokenTamara KametaniArt Installation, Google Maps, Pieces of Boats, Video, SoundsYesYesPermanentYesMuseum AudienceBorder Politics, Surveillance, ResistanceSelf FundedBoth
I am Rohingya2017EnglishAl Jazeera – Contrast3D, ComicsYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsAl JazeeraIn Between
Forced To Flee2017English/RohingyaAl Jazeera – Contrast3D, Animation, Cartographic VisualizationYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsAl Jazeera + AmnestyIn Between
Incoming2017Not SpokenRichard Mosse
Carne y Arena (Virtually present, Physically invisible)2017MultipleAlejandro G. IñárrituVR ExperienceNoYesBothNoGeneral Public Refugees’ TrailsILMxLABBoth
Happy End2017FrenchMichael HanekeFilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsArte France CinémaFIctional
Chauka, Please Tell Us the Time2017English/PersianBehrouz Boochani Arash Kamali Sarvestani Documentary filmed with SmartphoneNoYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicDetention CenterSarvestaniBoth
We Are Not Refugees, We Are Human2017ArabicMustafa Hadj RasheedCartographyNoNoPermanentYEsGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsSelf FundedBoth
Those Who Did Not Cross2017EnglishLevi WesterveldCartographyNoNoPermanentyesGeneral PublicDeaths at SeaSelf FundedMore Factual
Jupiter’s Moon2017HungarianKornél MundruczóFIlmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicPushbacksMatch Factory ProductionsFIctional
Exit West2017EnglishMohsin HamidBookNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicMigration / BelongingsUndisclosedFictional
Forced from HOME2018EnglishDoctors without bordersVR + Videos + DocumentsYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicRefugee CampsMSFFactual
Season 4 – Go Back to Where You Came From Live2018EnglishCordell Jigsaw Productions Reality Show + Online Interactive Game + Teaching ResourcesYesYesPermanentNoGeneral Public, KidsAsylum Seekers Arrivals in AustraliaPublic Service BroadcasterFictional
Mare Clausum2018EnglishForensic OceanographyPolitical Manifesto + Cartography + VideoYesYesPermanentYesGeneral Public + Policy MakersDeaths at SeaGoldsmith UniversityFactual
Refugees Republic2018English/DuthcSubmarine ChannelInteractive Video, Maps, ExhibitionYesYesBothNoGeneral PublicRefugee CampsJapanese Pavillion Biennale VeniceBoth
The alien Trail2018GreekNicolas IordanouDocumentary + Exihibition + WorkshopsYesYesBothYesGeneral PublicRefugee CampsEuropean Capital of Culture Pafos 2017Factual
The Moving Image2018EnglishStefan JorgensenDocumentaryNoPossiblyPermanentYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsSelf Funded?In Between
Expulsions2018English/Spanish/PortugueseAutonoma, MediaLab-UFRJ, Forensic ArchitectureCartography + Video + Interactive Data VisualizationYesYesPermanentYesGeneral Public + Justice CourtDisplacement, BordersINREDHFactual
A View from Above – Balloon Mapping Bourj Al Shamali2018EnglishClaudia Martinez Mansell, Mustapha Dakhloul, Firas IsmailCartography + Academic Text + PictureYesYesBothYesGeneral PublicRefugee CampsSelf FundedBoth
Agean Boat Report2018EnglishTommy OlsenBlog Diary + Data Visualization YesPossiblyPermanentYesGeneral Public + Rescue OperatorsDeaths at SeaPrivate + Norvegian GrantsFactual
Revenir2018English/FrenchDavid Fedele and Kumut ImeshDocumentary (Self Shot and Found footage)NoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicMigration TrailsHouse of MahoganyBoth
island of the hungry ghosts2018English/Mandarin/MalayGabrielle BradyHybrid Documentary NoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicDetention CenterAutlook FilmsalesBoth
Fifth Cinema2018Nguyễn Trinh ThiHybrid Documentary NoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicColonialismDocLabBoth
island of the hungry ghosts2018English/Mandarin/MalayGabrielle BradyFilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicDetention CenterAutlook FilmsalesBoth
Topological Atlas2018EnglishNishat AwanCartography + Installation + InterviewsNoYesBothYesGeneral Public + AcademiaMigration TrailsEuropean Research CouncilBoth
Zaatari Radio2018English/ArabicMawja RadioRadio + Community Building IntitiativeYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicRefugee CampsActing for Change InternationalBoth
One way ticket: Jackob Lawrence’s Migration Serie2019EnglishMomaWeb Art ExhibitionYesYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicMigration HistoryMomaBoth
Fady2019English/ArabicForensic ArchitectureVideo, 3D, Maps, DocumentsYesYesPermanentYesMigrants, Lawmakers, GeneralPushbacksGoldsmith University, Open Society Foundation, Human Rights 360More Factual
in vitro2019Larissa SansourSci fi ShortNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicPalestinian NahbaLa Biennale di VeneziaBoth
Walls 2.0: Augmenting border reality2019EnglishTamara KametaniInteractive Video, Augmented Reality AppyesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicBordersSelf FundedFictional
Midnight Traveller2019ArabicHassan FaziliFilm + Shot by PhoneNoPossiblyPermanentnoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsPBS – Pov sparksFactual
Cambera Obscura2019Not SpokenOtto BanovitzFIlmNoNoPermanentYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsPrivateFactual
bab sebta2019SpanishRanda MaroufiFilmNoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicBorder City of CeutaPrivateFictional
The Queen Versus Godfred2019EnglishPov SparksDynamic visuals, audio storytelling, and investigative documentsYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicViolence against migrantsco-production with Lost Time Media, Big Cedar Films, and the National Film Board of Canada.More Factual
For Sama2019ArabicWaad Al-Kateab and Edward WattsDocumentaryNoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicSyrian WarPBS FrontlineBoth
Border Control2019Not SpokenPeggy AhweshMulti-Channel Video InstallationNoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicBorder CrossingsMicroscope Gallery,Both
Atlantics2019WolofMati DiopFilmNoNOPermanentNoGeneral PublicMigration / BelongingsArte France CinémaFictional
cov19chronicles.com2020EnglishMarie GillespieWebsite + ExhibitionYesYesBothYesGeneral Public + AcademiaCovid 19 and MigrationAcademicBoth
Juventa-Crew.Org/case2020EnglishJuventaWebsite + 3D Renders + Maps + FundraisingYesYesPermanentYesGeneral Public Rescue OperationsSelf FundedFactual
Dark Vessel Detection2020EnglishICEYEWeb CartographyYesNoPermanentNoGovernamental AuthoritiesIllegal Vessels DetectionPrivateFactual
The Book of Distance2020EnglishRandall OkitaVR DocumentaryYesPossiblyPermanentNoGeneral PublicImmigration / BelongingNFBFictional
Living In the Unknown2020English/UigurAl Jazeera – ContrastVideo, Infographics, Maps, VR documentaryYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsAl JazeeraIn Between
Queer in the Time of Forced Migration2020EnglishTamara ShogaoluFilm + VR + WebsiteYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicLGBTQ RefugeesNL Film Funds + OthersBoth
Purple Sea2020ArabicAlzakoutDocumentary, PoetryNoPossiblyPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsSelf Funded?In Between
Migrantes de Otro Mundo2020SpanishBellingcat and many othersCollaborative Investigation (Interacttive Data + Videos)YesYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsManyMore Factual
Necropolitics2020EnglishArkadi ZaidesTheater PlaynonoPerformanceYesGeneral PublicDeaths at SeaCharleroi Danse + CCN2FIctional
Ailleurs Partout2020English/French/PersianIsabelle Ingold and Vivianne Perelmuter:DocumentaryNoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsDèriveBoth
Teatro di Nascosto (By Stein from ECHO)2020MultipleAnnet HennemanTheater PlayNoNoPerformanceYesGeneral PublicMigration / Belongings
His House2020English/DinkaRemi WeekesFilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicMigration / BelongingsBBC FilmsFictional
Refuge Worldwide2021EnglishGeorge Patrick, Richard AkingbehinWebradio + Fundraising PlatformnoPossiblyPermanentNoGeneral PublicMigrant HospitalityPrivateNone
A polish Journey2021Polish/EnglishJulian KonczakWeb DocumentaryYesYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsUndisclosedFictional
Cartography2021EnglishKaneza Schaal, Christopher MyersTheater PlayYesNoPerformanceNoGeneral Public, KidsRefugees’ TrailsUndisclosedFictional
As far as I can walk2021EnglishArsenijevićFilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsCo production Serbia-France-Luxembourg-Bulgaria-LithuaniaFictional
Rohingya – People from Nowhere2021RohingyaKhanFilmNoNoPermanentGeneral PublicRefugees’ Trails“In Between” allegedly
Shadow Game2021English/ArabicEefje Blankevoort And Els Van DrielDocumentary, Social Media, Investigative Campaing, ExhibitionYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsDutch Cinema Council + Unhcr + Many othersIn Between
Otherly2021EnglishSeveral DirectorsDocumentary on Social MediaPossiblyYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicImmigration / BelongingNFB (Canada Public) + POV Spark (Interactive arm of PBS)Factual
Barcelona a Welcoming City (Its participative)2021SpanishChristin SchuchardtDocumentary + Etnographic ResearchNoYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicMigrant Hospitality
Beyond the raging Sea2021EnglishOrsiniDocumentaryNoNoBothNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsDHLBoth
A Journey with a camera in 5 movements2021EnglishKimi Maeda3DYEsPossiblyPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsPBS – Pov sparksFactual
Flee2021Danish/EnglishJonas Poher RasmussenDocumentary (animation and live-action archival footage)NoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ Trails HellströmBoth
THE ISLAND MONICA DE MIRANDA2021PortugueseMonica de MirandaFilm + Photo ExhibitionNoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicAfrodiasporic LifesArts Council EnglandFictional
Mapping Refugee Camps2022Not SpokenServet KocyigitCartography + InstallationNoYesPermanentNoMuseum AudienceMigration TrailsSelf FundedFictional
Europa2022French/ArabicPhilip ScheffnerFilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicPushbacksPong FilmBoth
R21 AKA Restoring Solidarity2022Arabic/Japanese/EnglishMohanad YaqubiFilmNoYesPermanentNoGeneral Public + AcademiaPalestinian NahbaIdioms FilmBoth
We Others2022French/English/Dutch/Arabic/FarsiLaurent Van LanckerHybrid Documentary NoYesPermanentNoGeneral PublicBorder CrossingsRoue Libre ProductionsBoth
Europa2022French/ArabicPhilip ScheffnerFilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicPushbacksPong FilmBoth
Migration VFR2023EnglishBenjamin RennerAnimation filmNoNoPermanentNoKidsMigration TrailsUniversalFictional
Deadlands 2023EnglishLance LarsonFilmNoNOPermanentNoGeneral PublicBorder CrossingsDean WhiteFictional
The quiet migration2023DanishMalene ChoiFilmNoNoPermanentNoGeneral PublicImmigration / BelongingDanish Film InstituteFIctional
Transborder Immigrant Tool2007 – OngoingEnglishElectronic DisturbanceWeb ApplicationYesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicBorder CrossingsNew Museum – PublicFictional
Simple as ABC2014 – OngoingArabic/English/Farsi/French/GreekThomas BellinckAudio Recording/Video/Lectures/Theater/DocumentaryNoPossiblyBothYesGeneral PublicBorder ManagementFlemish CommunityBoth
Sirkane Darkroom2017 – OngoingEnglish/TurkishAhmet kELEŞVideo + Participative Photoexibition + Workshop + Instagram ChannelYesPossiblyBOthYesGeneral PublicRefugee CampsUndisclosedBoth
Tiffany Chung (cartography) 2017 – OngoingEnglishTiffany Chung maps, video, PerformanceNoYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicDisplacement, BordersPrivateFIctional
Human Activities – White Cube2017 – OngoingEnglishRenzo MartensDocumentary + Exihibition + Activism Campaing (CATPC)YesYesPermanentYesGeneral PublicReverse GentrificationBoth
Diwana2018-2020Arabic/EnglishRanda MaroufiCianotypes + Cartography of SmugglersnoPossiblyPermanentNoGeneral PublicRefugees’ TrailsSelf Funded?Fictional
Un giorno la notteForthcomingItalianMichele Aiello, Michele Cattani E Sainey FattyDocumentary FilmPossiblyPossiblyPermanentDon’t knowGeneral PublicHandicap in RefugeesPrivateMore Factual
Now you see me MoriaOngoingEnglishCollaborativeSocial Media + Collaborative Poster CampaingYesPossiblyBothYesGeneral Public + Journalists Refugee CampsSelf Funded?Factual
CareforceOngoingEnglishMarisa Morán JahnAudionovela, Film, Paper Toolkits, Dance PerformanceYesYesBothDon’t knowImmigrants/Care workersImmigrant careworkers’ RightsFictional