James and Kathryn Murdoch, through their respective organizations Lupa Systems and Futurific, are partnering with MCH Group, the parent company of Art Basel, to create a new major festival called the Futurific Institute. The event, set to launch in Basel, Switzerland in the summer of 2028, aims to be a cross-disciplinary gathering focused on art, culture, technology, and future-oriented problem-solving, drawing comparisons to world's fairs and events like TED Talks.
The venture represents a significant new player in the high-profile ideas festival circuit, positioning itself as a rival to established forums like the World Economic Forum in Davos and the Aspen Ideas Festival. Its core philosophy is built around "protopia," a concept promoting incremental societal progress, which the Murdochs hope will counter dystopian narratives and inspire actionable solutions, particularly around issues like climate change and democracy.