A new competitive section dedicated to VR works has been created for this year's Munich International Film Festival (June 26 to July 7), with France designated as guest country for this first edition.
For its 37th edition, the Munich International Film Festival is launching the Virtual Worlds section, a new competitive showcase for narrative virtual reality productions. A major player in the international scene for virtual reality and immersive works, France has been chosen as the country to be highlighted this year.
With seven works selected, French creations account for one third of the section's program:
- -22.7°C
- Accused#2: Walter Sisulu
- Alone
- Ayahuasca (Kosmik journey)
- A Fisherman's Tale
- Gloomy Eyes
- The Man Behind Notre-Dame
The majority of these works have already attracted attention this year—and picked up awards—at high-profile international festivals, including Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca. With support from UniFrance, the duo Chloé Rochereuil and Victor Agulhon will travel to the event to present their production about Notre-Dame Cathedral.
In addition to screenings, a B2B market will be held along with professional meetings and panel discussions. For one of these events, Balthazar Auxietre from Innerspace VR (Firebird, A Fisherman's Tale) will give a keynote speech on Wednesday, July 3. International buyers Camille Lopato (Diversion cinema) and Maxime Montagne (WideVR) will also be present, as will the director of Cannes XR, Elie Levasseur (who is also behind the market held in connection with the NewImages Festival in Paris).
Furthermore, France will be represented on the jury by the producer Chloé Jarry (Lucid Realities), who was recently honored with the Grand Prize at the Sunny Side of the Doc market for Claude Monet, l'obsession des nymphéas.
The Munich International Film Festival is considered Germany's second most important film event after the Berlin International Film Festival. With its new Virtual Worlds section, the festival seeks to position itself as an event of international standing held in the lead-up to the VR section at the Venice International Film Festival.
The Virtual Worlds program will span three days, from July 2 through 4, 2019. The complete lineup can be seen here.
