UP IN THE AIR - The Dream of Flying
Embark on an exhilarating journey with these Virtual Reality films that catapult you into the skies! Soar above the world, witnessing the profound impact of humanity on Earth's natural wonders. Uncover the secrets of evolution as birds, insects, and reptiles master the art of flight over millions of years. Brace yourself for breathtaking visuals and enthralling narratives that will not only transform your perspective on our planet but also unveil an extraordinary world brimming with awe-inspiring wonders!
David Attenborough’s Conquest Of The Skies (UK,USA/ 2023/ English/ 3 Episodes x 7 mins (Vanguards/Rivals/Victors)) Dir. Lewis Ball. Learn how insects, reptiles and birds unshackled themselves from the grips of gravity and took to the skies, with natural history legend, David Attenborough, as your guide. Today, over 100 billion creatures fly through the air: from nectar-drinking hummingbirds to bizarre, winged lizards. Human beings have always been fascinated by the act of flight, and it is only now in the 21st century that we can truly observe the cumulation of over 300 million years of evolution. Thanks to cutting-edge image capture methods, scientists are able to document and study the aerodynamics and engineering of wings and feathers in unprecedented detail.
Aufwind (Germany/ German with English subtitles/ 2022/ 25 mins)
Dir. Florian Siebert
Aufwind is an immersive virtual reality film and tells the story of Charlotte Möhring and Melli Beese, the first German female pilots who want to make it in the male domain of aviation and obtain a pilot’s license. Our story takes place in the industrial Ruhr area of Western Germany in 1912, where Charlotte and Melli meet on the occasion of an airship christening. While some men want to keep women away from flying and are not afraid to manipulate the planes and put the female pilots in danger, Charlotte and Melli fight for their dream and, as pioneers, shape the early history of aviation.
STORIES OF MANKIND - How did we get here?
The enduring tales and myths of our ancestors wield a profound influence on our contemporary worldview, offering insights that are more relevant than ever. Filmmakers and creators draw inspiration from these timeless narratives for their dynamic projects, guiding us on thrilling journeys through time and space. These endeavors illuminate a fresh perspective on our present-day experiences, delving into the roots of humanity and our civilizations through captivating stories of land, deities, and music.
Reimagined Volume II: Mahal (USA/ English/ 2023/ 19 mins) Dirs. Michaela Holland & Julie Cavaliere. Inspired by Philippine mythology, the story focuses on Apolaki, Mayari, Tala, and Hanan, the four immortal children of the recently passed creator god, Bathala. As each of these deities wrestle with the grief of losing Bathala, their all-powerful actions create ripples throughout the universe. Can the siblings come together to defeat their own pain and learn how to accept the devastating loss before the world their father entrusted to them suffers from a celestial catastrophe?
Perinatal Dreaming – Understanding Country (Australia/ 2023/ English/ 15 mins) Dirs. Marianna Wobcke & Volker Kuchelmeister. Perinatal Dreaming is a ground-breaking virtual reality experience developed by the Felt Experience and Empathy Lab and led by artist, midwife and trauma support worker, Marianne Wobcke. As one of thousands of indigenous children forcibly removed from her mother at birth, she has spent her career researching and supporting perinatal and intergenerational trauma. The VR artwork presents a visually stunning immersive audio-visual experience evoking early life in the womb and entry into the world.
El Beat VR (Colombia/ 2023/ Palenquero with english subtitles/10mins) Dirs. Irene Lema, Sergio Bromberg. "El Beat" VR is a journey from the coast of Senegal to the territory of Palenque, following the route of enslaved African men during the colony. Through sound, music and palenquero language, we build a symbolic and dreamlike universe that explores the beginning of the African diaspora in Latin America. It is an immersive experience of 6DoF, integrating volumetric capture, 3D modeling, tilt brush, photogrammetry and binaural sound. The interactive film is a hybrid of documentary and fiction, intertwining the history of Biohó with the reality of maestro Rafael Cassiani, who has preserved the musical tradition of Palenque until today.
BACK TO THE FUTURE - Understanding History
Delve into impactful initiatives that investigate the art of narrating politically and socially significant tales through emerging digital media. Explore the interactive dynamics of these stories and unravel the lessons embedded in recent and current history. Immerse yourself in experiences that not only reshape your perception of reality but also empower you to glimpse a new, unexplored facet of a narrative..
Tales of the March (Germany, Italy/ 2023/English/ 12 mins) Dir. Stefano Casertano. In the winter between 1944 and 1945, thousands of prisoners were ordered by the SS to leave the concentration camps and walk towards Germany. This historical tragedy is the last act of the Shoah and is called the “Death Marches”. Of some 750,000 people subject to this ordeal, 250,000 could not survive. VR experience Tales of the March invites the viewer to become a witness of a march, portrayed as a fiction story based on the accounts of some survivors. Our protagonist, Eithan, is seen walking in a column, as he survives the abuses of the soldiers, until he is finally freed in a forest. But is this a true liberation? Possibly, the shadows of the camps will stay in Eithan’s soul for all his life.
MLK: Now is The Time (USA/ 2023/ English/16 mins) Dir. Fabian Limbert. An immersive journey that explores key themes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech and highlights systemic inequities that persist in American society. It’s been sixty years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, but the messages from that speech resonate today. “MLK: Now is the Time” is an immersive journey that explores key themes of Dr. King’s speech and highlights systemic inequities that persist in our society. Through first-person stories and interactions, “MLK: Now is the Time” will inform and inspire a new generation of activists.
