Virtual Reality

Long speculated on and dreamed about in science fiction, virtual reality is finally reality, and 2016 will be remembered as the year of VR. For filmmakers and film-goers alike, it's re-writing the rules of how we create and consume entertainment. The implications and possibilities for cinema are immense, and exciting.

As part of the 65th MIFF, this year we're presenting a special Virtual Reality program: a series of VR experiences by Australian and international filmmakers alongside a number of local and overseas speakers. It will be a unique opportunity to strap on a VR headset and fully experience the jaw-dropping wonders of total immersive cinema. Next stop: the Holodeck!

Please note: VR experiences are immersive, and require viewers to wear a headset. Every audience member views the works individually, and their experience will likewise be individual. For this reason, these experiences are restricted to those 18 years and older. VR experiences have short running times; the session duration times listed include audience instruction and set up as well as the VR experience run time. Because these session duration times are short, with high turnover, we recommend audiences arrive ten minutes before their booked session time. We cannot delay the start of sessions. Latecomers will not be admitted, or refunded. VR experiences cannot be booked on eMini Passes, Passports, Powershop Passes or Admit 1s.

The Turning Forest and Easter Rising: Voice of a Rebel will be screened via Oculus CV-1 headsets within installation for the entire duration of MIFF's VR series (Tuesday 9 August–Sunday 14 August). All other works will be screened via Samsung Gear VR headsets, with experiences generally rotating on a daily basis (please check session information for details).

The Ark, Jafri, Invisible and Invasion! will be screening to audiences synchronously, meaning that groups of up to eight people will be able to experience those works together with playback triggered simultaneously to audience members' headsets. MIFF's VR sync solution has been devised by Worldview and developed by Visual Playground. We thank them for their support.

Participation in these experiences and using this technology may involve some risks, including (but not limited to): nausea, dizziness, disorientation, visual abnormalities, injury or other discomfort.

With Special Thanks to:

University of Melbourne Student Union
Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne
Scann3d
Kid Neon
Simon Green
Merkava Technologies

Melbourne International Film Festival wishes to acknowledge the US Consulate, Melbourne, for their support of Jessica Brillhart's attendance to MIFF.

Credits

Gear VR Sync Playback
Devised by/VR Producer - Steve Spangaro, Worldview
Developed by Visual Playground - Emily Harridge, Patrick Taylor, Melissa Benavides, Neil van Vuuren

SpACE@Collins Production Design
Hahna Read

MIFF VR Intro
Produced by: Worldview
Concept/Producer/Director: Steve Spangaro
Line Producer: Simon Green
Lighting Camera Operator: Darren Vukasinovic    
Assistant Director: John Sandow
Gaffer: Thom Holt    
Production Assistants: Julie Downie, Michelle Serret
Stitching/Post Production Supervisor: Roger Grilz     
Visual Effects: James Green    
Spatialised Sound Design: Darius Kedros, Markus Kellow