The Cannes Film Festival 2024 not only celebrated the best in traditional cinema but also embraced the emerging art form of immersive storytelling. The Jury of the Immersive Competition, led by French director and screenwriter Marie Amachoukeli, awarded the prize for the Best Immersive Work to "Noire," among the eight immersive experiences in contention, ranging from virtual reality to augmented reality, video projection, and holography.
Created by Tania de Montaigne, Stéphane Foenkinos, and Pierre-Alain Giraud, "Noire" stood out for its innovative approach and captivating narrative. Set against the backdrop of France and Taiwan, the immersive experience explores themes of identity, culture, and human connection, offering participants a unique journey into the lives of its characters.
The Cannes Immersive Competition showcased a diverse range of works, each pushing the boundaries of storytelling, utilizing cutting-edge technology and techniques to engage audiences in new and exciting ways. Among the competing works were:
"En Amour" (France) by Claire Bardainne, Adrien Mondot, Laurent Bardainne
"Evolver" (UK, France, USA) by Barnaby Steel, Ersin Han Ersin, Robin McNicholas
"Human Violins: Prelude" (Romania, France) by Ioana Mischie
"Maya: Naissance d'une Super Héroïne" (UK, France, USA) by Poulomi Basu, CJ Clarke
"TELOS I" (Canada, Sweden, Denmark) by Dorotea Saykaly, Emil Dam Seidel
"The Roaming" (France, Luxembourg, Canada) by Mathieu Pradat
"Traversing the Mist" (Taiwan) by Tung-Yen Chou
Thierry Frémaux, the Festival's General Delegate, emphasized the significance of embracing immersive art forms within the Cannes program, citing the success of previous immersive works like Alejandro González Iñárritu's "Carne y Arena" in 2017. He expressed pride in the Festival's pioneering role in recognizing and celebrating immersive storytelling as a vital part of contemporary cinema.
Elie Levasseur, the project director of the Immersive Competition, underscored the Festival's commitment to exploring new narrative forms and embracing technological advancements. He highlighted the Immersive Competition as an extension of Cannes' original values, reflecting the Festival's ongoing evolution and innovation in the cinematic landscape.
The inaugural edition of the Cannes Immersive Competition attracted over 3,000 attendees eager to experience the latest in immersive storytelling. As the Festival continues to evolve, the Immersive Competition stands as a testament to Cannes' dedication to pushing the boundaries of storytelling and providing a platform for diverse voices and innovative expressions in cinema.