Cause and Effect is an original and experimental performance of short interactive films with which the whole audience become involved through the use of varied interaction modalities. After premiering in 2002, some thirty performances have been successfully shown in eleven different countries, including at the European Media Art Festival and the Montreal Festival of Cinema/New Media (FCMM). To date about twenty different interactive short films have been shown during various Cause and Effect performances, and new films are in constant development.

Interactive films are a long established phenomenon but in recent years have been mostly designed for the personal environments of DVD, PC or WWW, completely missing out on the exciting and dynamic situation in which a 'live' group audience attend a special event at a particular venue. The seminal importance of Cause and Effect is reflected in the fact that "Kinoautomat" (1967 and later) and "Interfilm" (early '90s) are the only substantial filmic examples of 'live' group interaction that have ever been created. Cause and Effect seeks to innovate by research and development of filmic content suitable for delivery to, and enjoyment by, a group audience - this research being reflected strongly in the recent PhD thesis of Dr. Chris Hales and the ongoing Doctoral work of Teijo Pellinen.

We experiment with various techniques of group interaction and the types of interactive film that are commensurate with it. Although using sophisticated methods, the show is designed to be portable, tourable, and suitable for most venues. Currently interaction methods enable audiences to influence films by shouting, passing around bright or coloured lights, using mobile phone handsets, waving, singing soprano and humming. A typical performance consists of around eight short interactive movies (chosen from a substantial repertoire) covering genres of video art, drama, non-fiction, education, and music. The show is both entertaining and intellectual and appeals to a wide audience demographic. It is constantly developing, with varied modes of interaction being explored and new films being regularly created. Certain films are customised for the actual theatre and the language of the country in which the show takes place during a rapid pre-production phase when we arrive at the location. This localisation adds to the audience’s surprise and involvement with the films presented to them.

Cause and Effect is intended as a not-for-profit show with free (or inexpensive) admission, and is run by skilled and experienced practitioners who combine art practice, art and media teaching, stage practice, and interactive expertise. We are unfunded and stage the performances either through our own modest finances or as a result of occasional financial assistance from organisations such as The British Council. The show takes some of its inspiration from the "Laterna Magika" movement in Prague, and in particular the seminal 1967 interactive film system "Kinoautomat" directed by Raduz Cincera (www.kinoautomat.org)

Chris Hales (SMARTLAB, University of East London)
Teijo Pellinen (Medialab, University of Art and Design, Helsinki)
Tomi Knuutila (University of Lapland, Finland)