Denis Blidariu

Jason Silva, Emmy-nominated storyteller and host of Brain Games, kicks off UNFINISHED with his latest work and research right at the intersection of technology, creativity, and human flourishing. Known for blending philosophy and wonder, Jason challenges us to not just envision a better world but to actively shape it. By connecting consciousness, tech, and mental health, he urges us to apply our beliefs through action—turning awe into praxis in an increasingly complex and digitized society. This opening talk, to be continued and deepened each day of #UNFINISHED24, sets the stage for a weekend of deep reflection and transformative ideas.

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Join artist Grace Boyle as she takes us through a decade

of sensorial praxis, and raises questions about intelligence,

our bodies, and how our biological and ecological realities will sit alongside technological futures. Grace will share her stories of creating multisensory virtual reality experiences

with Indigenous groups in the Amazon jungle, crafting musical narratives with scent, and using artificial intelligence in human group dreaming sessions in the towers of medieval castles. Grace will also introduce her latest installation, a robotic performance unfolding for the first time at UNFINISHED.

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Loneliness isn’t something to be feared or cured—it’s the quiet force that can transform us. In this keynote, explore with writer, facilitator, and community builder Monika Jiang, how our shared experience of loneliness is an invitation to return to what truly matters: our relationships, our interconnectedness, and the deep care that lies beneath the surface in an increasingly isolated world.

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Join brothers Alin and Tiberiu Ușeriu in a candid conversation with journalist Rachel Donadio. Alin, the visionary behind Via Transilvanica, and Tibi, an extreme athlete and three-time 6633 Arctic Ultra winner, share their incredible journey. From childhood struggles to creating Romania’s first long-distance trail, their story is one of resilience, and of a deep commitment to connecting people and enabling deep social transformation through nature and community. Explore their world of endurance, adventure, and meaningful change.

This conversation mixes English and Romanian.

Bring your own headphones for translation if you need it!

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Let Jason Silva boost your morning with a moment of awe and kick off a few questions for our last day of #UNFINISHED24.

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This talk, led by Răzvan Petri and Vlad Adamescu, explores how, in Romania and elsewhere, politics is often treated as a dirty word, to avoid discussing in polite society. The two founders of Politică la minut, a youth-focused civic initiative, investigate how this disconnect begins in school and continues into adulthood, resulting in a disengaged youth and a distrustful society. They will dive into the consequences of this apathy, including low voter turnout and the rise of anti-system parties, while offering pathways to move beyond this taboo and foster a healthier democratic practice.

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Bethany Koby, co-founder of Fam Studio, dives into the challenges and macrotrends shaping modern family life. Juxtaposing her rich experience and research in education technology to her own personal lens, she’ll explore the complexities families face today, from navigating uncertainty

to redefining generational boundaries. In a special twist, Bethany’s 12-year-old son Ash will join her on stage to ask questions, sparking a candid cross-generational conversation about parenting, technology, and the evolving dynamics of family life in a rapidly changing world.

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Bring all your questions and reflections to this closing conversation and Q&A session with artist Grace Boyle as she wraps up “RE/SOURCE”, the robotic installation you have witnessed taking shape across the entire festival. Together, we’ll dive deeper into her project and how it challenges our understanding of sensory experience and the future of human interaction with technology. This is your chance to engage directly with her and reflect on the unfolding of her unique robotic performance.

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In this closing conversation, Monika Jiang and Lauren Celenza invite the audience to reflect on the power of connection and community. Together, they will explore the collective experience of loneliness, particularly across Monika’s workshops and installations, have resonated over the past two days. Through shared stories, letters, and audience reflections, this open debrief aims to transform loneliness into a pathway toward deeper connection. Join the conversation as we close out this year’s talks with togetherness and curiosity.

→ Please be mindful of the few dedicated front row seats!