The Cannes Film Festival has revealed its plans to include extended reality (XR) experiences as an official category and competition this year. The festival, known for showcasing the best in cinema, has recognized the importance of XR as a new wave of storytelling. This move follows in the footsteps of other prestigious film festivals that have embraced XR, such as Venice, Tribeca, and SXSW. Eight selected immersive works will be featured in the Immersive Competition, including projects that can accommodate multiple users at once, addressing the issue of throughput in public VR experiences.
Among the selected works is “En amour,” an interactive installation about love and separation, and “EVOLVER,” a VR experience that takes viewers inside the human body to follow the flow of oxygen. “MAYA: The Birth of a Superhero” explores the coming of age and sexuality of a South Asian girl, utilizing VR to provide a unique storytelling experience. Additionally, “TELOS I” and “HUMAN VIOLINS – PRELUDE” offer thought-provoking narratives about AI identity and the Holocaust, respectively. “COLORED” is the lone augmented reality experience, delving into the Civil Rights movement in 1950s Alabama.
The Immersive Competition at Cannes will feature a variety of immersive experiences that address complex themes and utilize cutting-edge technology to engage audiences in new ways. From exploring historical events to delving into personal narratives, these projects showcase the diverse storytelling potential of XR. The inclusion of live actors in “The Roaming” adds a unique dimension to the immersive experience, blurring the lines between traditional cinema and XR storytelling.
The decision to showcase XR works at Cannes reflects a broader recognition of the medium’s potential to transform storytelling and artistic expression. By creating an official competition and award ceremony for XR projects, Cannes is signaling its commitment to supporting the growth and development of the immersive art form. This move has been welcomed by the XR community, as it provides a platform for immersive artists to showcase their work to a wider audience.
As the Cannes Film Festival opens its doors to immersive experiences, it marks a new chapter in the evolution of storytelling. The festival’s dedication to recognizing and celebrating immersive art as a distinct medium highlights the importance of embracing new technologies in the world of filmmaking. By showcasing both competitive and non-competitive XR works, Cannes aims to educate its audience on the evolution of XR and its potential to revolutionize the creative industry.
The Immersive Competition Project Director at Cannes emphasizes the importance of highlighting immersive artists as the stars of the XR ceremony, separate from traditional cinematic works. This distinction is essential in recognizing the unique contributions of immersive artists and ensuring that XR is celebrated as a distinct art form. With the support of Cannes and other prestigious festivals, XR is poised to become a significant force in the world of storytelling, offering audiences new and immersive ways to experience narratives.
