Kiira Benz is an award-winning director and creative pioneer working at the intersection of immersive storytelling since 2009, XR theatre, live performance, and virtual production. She is the Founder and Creative Director of Double Eye Studios, focused on creating experiences that bridge technology and live performance, and host of the Portal to the Next Stage podcast.

Her work has premiered and won awards at leading global festivals. Finding Pandora X won Best VR Immersive User Experience at the Venice Film Festival (2020), and Runnin’, starring Reggie Watts, won the Jury Award for Best Interactive at SXSW. Additional credits include Loveseat (Venice), territory (the first VR work at Jacob’s Pillow), and Cardboard City, winner of Samsung’s first VR contest.

Kiira has led numerous “firsts” in XR, including the first AR documentary, the first VR Theatre Repertory Company, and the first VRChat experiences to premiere at A-list festivals. Her work blends worldbuilding, interactivity, and theatricality, pushing the boundaries of live performance in virtual spaces.