At Number9ine, our commitment to public space media installations and non-narrative film education is redefining how global audiences engage with experimental cinema. Through the launch of the Global Return to the Avant-Garde and the Non-Narrative Film Festival, we are actively enriching the international landscape of cultural research and visual arts innovation.
These initiatives spotlight groundbreaking works from acclaimed director Michael H. Henderson, including the award-winning 35 CENTS and SUSPENSION, alongside the Hitchcock-inspired experimental series EPHIGY by director Mark Gasper. Our mission is to elevate the visibility and legitimacy of non-linear storytelling and immersive visual language as essential forms of 21st-century artistic expression.
Innovating Public Awareness Through Opera-Film Fusion
Number9ine redefines public awareness entertainment by pioneering a bold fusion of contemporary opera, orchestral performance, experimental band sound, and visual cinema. Our groundbreaking productions captivate audiences through immersive multimedia storytelling that transcends genre and tradition. Landmark venues such as Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and Teatro alla Scala have hosted our signature works, showcasing our dedication to both artistic integrity and global cultural impact.
Our visionary project, NEUN METRO // METRO9, exemplifies this cross-disciplinary synthesis—an evolving operatic-cinema hybrid that invites communities into a transformative, multi-sensory experience while deepening engagement with social and spiritual themes.
Activating Public Space Through Immersive Storytelling & Community Engagement
At Number9ine, our mission is to deliver transformative multimedia experiences to large-scale public venues, activating urban and cultural spaces through non-narrative film and immersive visual storytelling. These site-specific works are not only artistic endeavors—they are proven tools for community revitalization, local economic development, and social cohesion.
Research underscores the value of public art installations in enhancing neighborhood vitality and strengthening communal identity (Smith, 2021; Johnson et al., 2019; Williams, 2018). By reimagining public space as a cinematic canvas, we foster meaningful connections between people and place, inviting diverse audiences to engage, reflect, and co-create within their environments.
Fusing Opera, Orchestral Performance & Cinematic Innovation for Global Audiences
Number9ine continues to pioneer a new era of multimedia entertainment by seamlessly integrating the grandeur of contemporary opera with the energy of orchestral and band-driven soundscapes in our avant-garde film development projects.
This genre-defying approach bridges the gap between high art and popular culture, making our work equally resonant in world-renowned opera houses and cutting-edge nightlife venues. From the iconic Bolshoi Theater to global entertainment hubs like Hi Ibiza and Omnia Las Vegas, our productions offer a versatile, immersive experience that transcends boundaries and redefines audience engagement worldwide.
Expanding Cultural Impact from Global Expositions to Urban Marketplaces
Number9ine’s artistic adaptability extends far beyond traditional venues, establishing a global presence across international expositions, urban districts, and emerging cultural hubs. From the futuristic grounds of Expo City Dubai to the energetic landscape of Kansas City’s Power & Light District, our work embodies a commitment to cross-cultural creativity, immersive public engagement, and innovative entertainment programming.
By bringing non-narrative film, multimedia installations, and live performance into these dynamic public spaces, we are redefining how art interacts with community, commerce, and global visibility.
Our Mission: Synesthetic Storytelling in Public Space
At Number9ine, our mission is to activate public space as a living canvas—a place where sound, visual art, and narrative experimentation converge in powerful, immersive form.
Rooted in the legacy of pioneering non-narrative cinema such as Baraka and Powaqqatsi, we continuously push the limits of traditional media by exploring the synesthetic relationship between music, film, and visual design.
Through this cross-sensory fusion, we craft transformative artistic experiences that challenge perception, ignite curiosity, and invite deep reflection across diverse global audiences.
Championing Independent Visionaries in Experimental Film Development
At Number9ine, our dedication to innovative film development is grounded in a deep reverence for independent artistry. We actively support and collaborate with creators whose work embodies introspective exploration, formal experimentation, and authentic expression across multiple disciplines.
From the visceral visual poetry of O’le and Arthur Burrows, to the sonic and cinematic innovations of Michael H. Henderson, Di Ex Machinis, and Mark Gasper, our network includes a powerful range of boundary-pushing talents.
Artists such as CR Reid, 9 Patrick di Santo, Hannah Sloan-Barton, Molly Marx, Mark Gilvey, Rufus Mueller, and Amanda Pennington Knox reflect our core commitment: to nurture voices that challenge convention, embrace vulnerability, and uncover new layers of meaning within the artistic process.
Founded in 1985: A Legacy of Global Media, Art, and Research Innovation
Established in 1985, Number9ine was created to deliver high-quality media, avant-garde art, and applied research to international venues, exhibitions, and public platforms. Over nearly four decades, we’ve built a visionary roster of collaborators and creative entities that span disciplines including experimental film, sound art, visual design, and interdisciplinary research. Our core affiliates include:
Di Ex Machinis – conceptual sound and philosophical media
Case Trick – experimental electronica and ambient scoring
Shadowland Project – immersive projection and narrative subversion
9 Patrick di Santo – post-expressionist director and conceptual theorist
UCCER (Union Center for Cultural and Environmental Research) – cultural studies and ecological interface
Z and X Films – non-narrative visual experimentation
IIDP (Institute for Interdimensional Perception) – speculative research and perception studies
Mark Gilvey Creative Media – visual branding, motion design, and cinematography
Together, this collective anchors Number9ine’s position as a global force in experimental media arts, transdisciplinary research, and innovative cultural production.
A Beacon for Genre-Defying Creators & Transformative Art
Driven by a commitment to artistic excellence and multidisciplinary collaboration, Number9ine Film Development stands as a beacon for visionary creators who transcend conventional genres.
We champion artists who push boundaries in experimental cinema, sound design, visual storytelling, and interdisciplinary performance—united by a shared belief in the transformative power of art to inspire, disrupt, and awaken.
At Number9ine, innovation isn’t just an aesthetic—it’s a method for building meaning, shaping culture, and forging new creative futures.
International Research & Film Studio Bridging Narrative and Non-Narrative Worlds
Number9ine is an internationally recognized research, film, and media development company based in Kansas City, United States, dedicated to producing both original narrative and non-narrative multimedia projects.
With a legacy spanning decades, we proudly present a diverse portfolio of past and current works that reflect our commitment to avant-garde storytelling, cinematic experimentation, and cross-genre innovation.
We are currently in pre-production on the highly anticipated reimagining of FELIX and METRO9, in collaboration with the instrumentalists from the Shadowland Project—a visionary step forward in our evolution of immersive media.
Dark Wave Soundtrack Revival: Ephigy Series & Experimental Music Release
The global music scene is abuzz with anticipation for the Dark Wave revival of select albums from the Ephigy soundtrack, launching alongside the restoration of Mark Gasper’s acclaimed limited series. Renowned for his genre-defying fusion of Lo-Fi textures, experimental frequency modulation, and atmospheric soundscapes, Gasper continues to reshape the boundaries of modern music.
The latest singles—“Velocity“ and “Angels Rise“—offer a futuristic sonic journey that blurs the line between soundtrack and standalone artistry. The upcoming “Velocity” music video promises to further immerse listeners in this visionary audio-visual realm, reinforcing Ephigy’s reputation as a touchstone of avant-garde sound design and narrative cohesion.
Providing a fresh approach to music, marked by a willingness to experiment and craft creative and atmospheric soundscapes, setting them up as music industry pioneers. With our upcoming world tour, O’le, Di Ex Machinis, Case Trick and 9 are set to captivate both new and long-standing fans, redefining musical expectations with their distinctive sound.
