Growth of virtual reality filmmaking to be discussed at DIFF.

Virtual Reality

Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) (Dec 7-14) is set to launch a virtual reality programme at its 13th edition.

The strand, titled DIFFerent REALITY, will give festivalgoers the opportunity to sample VR films spanning fiction, documentary and animation.

On the industry side, Dubai Film Market (DFM) will give delegates chance to hear from VR creators and experience the technology.

DIFF chairman Abdulhamid Juma said: “VR gives filmmakers a new, immersive medium - which is an exciting new direction for cinema - and our compelling and engaging line-up of VR films push the technological boundaries of storytelling.”

VR has had an increased presence at festivals, most recently at Sundance, Cannes and Sheffield Doc/Fest with experiences based around feature films The Martian and Maleficent and standalone documentaries such as refugee film We Wait, from Aardman Animations and the BBC.

At the Star Wars Celebration fan gathering last wekeend, Lucasfilm announced a VR narrative title based around Darth Vader, written by David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, Man Of Steel) while showcasing ILM xLab’s Trials Of Tatooine project.