VALERIE VAN ZUIJLEN (28, NL) - I’m a visual artist, filmmaker and creative director from the Netherlands. I develop a cross-disciplinary practice in audiovisual storytelling in a way in which different fields become intertwined with one another. Dealing with topics such as virtual presence, ambient communication and belonging, my work has won several prizes and awards and has been presented in New York, Hong Kong and throughout Europe. Next to my artistic research, I’m founder and director of @LABNEST, an innovation hub and accelerator for future entrepreneurs and innovation-impact startups based in Ede in the Netherlands. Last but not least, I’m a licensed drone pilot and soon-to-become helicopter pilot, reflecting my long standing fascination with the aerodrome and its extensions within the ether.