3rd LICHTER VR Storytelling Award // Winner and Finalists 2019
The LICHTER VR Storytelling Award this year went to The Real Thing by Benoit Felici. For the third time already, the festival presents 360° films specially made to watch with VR glasses in an international competition. The five finalists were chosen by a jury consisting of VR director Ricarda Saleh, Kai Beck (ZDF digital) and Philip Weiss (metricminds) from more than 90 entries. The VR screenings were held in cooperation with Pico Interactive and VRCM and were fully sold out once more.
After the initial hype of Virtual Reality, created by the availability of VR-glasses for a broad audience, the talk about Virtual Reality has quieted a little. The industry has entered a deep sleep. But what hasn’t lessened ist he production of 360° videos. This year, over 90 submissions have been entered for the third LICHTER VR Storytelling Award. A record number!
It was not an easy talk for our jury to decide on the five best entries, but it was worth it.
We are staying true to ourselves: inspired by classic film screenings, we’re presenting the five best films of our competition in the Synced Cinema format. All visitors will receive VR-Headsets on which the films run simultaneously and can be enjoyed together. Almost like a classic film screening. But only almost!
With friendly support by
The five finalists 2019
Berlin Terror – Die ersten Helfer vom Breitscheidplatz
Director: Astrid Schult, Jürgen Brügger, Jörg Haaßengier
(D 2018 // German OV // Duration: 10 Min.)
12 deaths and 56 casualties. The sad consequences of the worst Islamist motivated terror attacks in the history of the German republic. How does one make a film about this – especially in the uniquely exposing medium VR?
Berlin Terror deals with the narrative of the first responders, only shows the events in sketched out retellings, doesn’t indoctrinate or interprete, but shows and makes the events of this day in December 2016 available to experience. An impressive film making use of the 360° film genre confidently without losing respect for the victims.
Conscious Existence
Director: Marc Zimmermann
(D 2018 // engl. OV // Duration: 12 Min.
A firework of colours and shapes, sounds and music generates an ecstasy of images trying to celebrate the endless possibilities of a freed spirit, the gift of human consciousness. With great effort and technical as well as creative finesse, a visual world is created that lingers in your memories. A VR-experience that only unfolds all its effects in the 360° sphere and invites to let the eyes wander and thoughts, feelings and associations flow freely.
Eyes in the Red Wind
Director: Sngmoo Lee
(KOR 2018 // OV with English subtitles // Duration: 12 Min.)
Eyes in the Red Wind combines mystical ritual and tradition with the bitter disappointment and anger of a dysfunctional family. The staging in a single shot and the lovingly planned set design let the audience experience an original 360° adventure.
The South Korean director Sngmoo Lee managives to create an impressive atmosphere and link an experimental idea of a genre film to 360° film.
Pneumo Hacker
Director: Kuan Yuan Lai
(TWN 2018 // OV with English subtitles // Duration: 11 Min.)
In a dark, not too far-off future, humanity is threatened by a computer virus. However, not their technology but the humans themselves are the target. Only the Pneumo Hackers can fight against the invisible threats. In a set designed to be affectionately-trashy, a bizarre spectacle happens that recalls the VHS-aesthetic of the 1980’s. With a lot of bravery and ingenuity, the filmmakers manage to make a quirky science-fiction film
The Real Thing
Director: Benoit Felici
(F 2018 // OV with English subtitles // Duration: 16 Min.)
The Real Thing is a documentary about a city known by possibly no one and still intimately known. More really shouldn’t be said about the film, except that it would be a sensation even without the use of VR. But the city tour of a different kind is made an unforgettable event by the fact that all the possibilities of the 360° medium are used masterfully in both technical and dramaturgical terms.
Tickets for the VR screenings
Award Ceremony
Sunday, 31st March // Naxoshalle // Start: 7 p.m.
VR Screenings
Location: Naxoshalle
(Duration of each screening: 60 Minutes. Ahead of every screening you will receive a short introduction into the VR gadgets.)
Wednesday, 27th March // 7 + 9 p.m.
Thursday, 28th March // 7 + 9 p.m.
Friday, 29th March // 7 + 9 p.m.
Saturday, 30th March // 2 + 4 + 7 + p.m.
Sunday, 31st March // 2 + 4 p.m.