Now omnipresent at the most prestigious cinema events, virtual reality (or VR) has imposed itself over the past few months: in Berlin, Cannes, Sundance, Venice, and recently in Toronto, presentations and conferences have shone the spotlight on this technology whose recent progress has at last permitted democratization.
End of year celebrations will be decisive for the development of VR. Distributors are increasing the range of 360 degree programs on offer and the main headset manufacturers are already positioning themselves on this promising market, with an estimated value of several billion dollars.
French works have already asserted themselves abroad and testify to the richness of this technology's potential. From comedy ( Vaudeville by Thomas Villepoux) to metaphysics (I, Philip by Pierre Zandrowicz), and not forgetting sensory experience (Notes on Blindness, more information here), and playful activity (S.E.N.S.), the films are there... but everything still remains to be done.
Important upcoming dates: VR will be central to discussions at the 26th Rencontres Cinématographiques de l’ARP (Dijon, October 20-22), and the Screen4ALL Forum in Saint-Denis (October 12-13) will be entirely dedicated to the subject, notably with the creation of the 360 Film Festival. Unifrance will be a partner of this event, where screenings, discussions, and networking will take place over two days.
A meeting to share information, bringing together directors, producers, and institutions will soon be organized by UniFrance to look at the international opportunities available to these new works, about which we'll be hearing a lot for a long time to come.
