There was the simulator, as well as some barren landscape with spacesuited astronauts and a gargantuan test rover. The surroundings were, of course, as much the point as what the astronauts had to say about them. This was the first VR film I watched at this venue, and I spent most of it simultaneously taking in the closeness of having a one-on-one conversation with its subjects (current and prospective astronauts all), and feeling a bit rude for ignoring their speech and staring around at the surroundings instead.

I’m told this one even has some narration by an Academy Award-winning actor ( Brie Larson), but I’d be lying if I said I noticed it.

Space is as appropriate a subject for VR as it has long been for IMAX, and I sense this won’t be the only subject matter overlap between these two venues. The SIFF VR Zone continues for one more day, with six sessions available on Sunday, June 10th, every two hours from 11AM to 9PM.ĭirected by Felix Lajeunesse & Paul Raphaël I’d like to offer a special thanks to both WonderTek Labs and SIFF staff and volunteers for making this press visit possible – it is one of the most complex festival installations I’ve seen, and it was a well-oiled machine. It was quite impossible to view all of the VR content in 90 minutes, so a selection is reviewed below. Some were 360-degree films, primarily on Samsung Gear VR, and others were interactive experiences using either HTC Vive or Oculus Rift, with handheld controllers. They are free to choose their own VR content for the next 90 minutes, wandering through an array of 28 films and interactive VR installations. Participants are invited into a first-floor storefront at Pacific Place Mall in Downtown Seattle. At the 44th Seattle International Film Festival, SIFF debuted a brand new venue: The SIFF VR Zone at Pacific Place, produced by Seattle’s WonderTek Labs.

Siff 2018 and then there was light