East City Films Takes 3 VR Films to SXSW 2024
In the rapidly evolving landscape of virtual reality, it’s rare to produce work that not only pushes the boundaries of technology but also speaks to the soul. This March, at SXSW 2024, the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is set to showcase 3 VR films that give us great pride.
Our trio of VR films – “Walk to Westerbork”, “Escape to Shanghai”, and “Letters from Drancy” – are not mere virtual reality experiences. Commissioned by the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, these films represent a bridge between the past and the future, a vivid reimagining of history through the lens of cutting-edge VR.
What makes the SXSW showcase particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of a panel featuring Holocaust survivors and subjects of our films, Marion Deichmann and Rodi Glass. In a world often saturated with fleeting digital content, their stories provide an anchor to reality, a reminder of the profound impact that immersive storytelling can have. This panel isn't just a behind-the-scenes glimpse; it's a vital discourse on the power of new technologies to keep the lessons of history alive for future generations.
Museum Executive Producers Kelley Szany, Arielle Weininger, Amanda Friedman, Leah Rauch and CEO Bernard Cherkasov have been more than just collaborators; they have been visionaries in their own right, recognising the potential of VR as a tool for education and remembrance.
The directors – Mary Matheson, Charlotte Mikkelborg, and Darren Emerson – along with Producer Micaela Blitz and Executive Producers Ashley Cowan and Darren Emerson, have navigated the challenging waters of VR filmmaking with a rare combination of technical prowess and narrative sensitivity. Our partnerships with All Seeing Eye, 1.618 Digital and Transmission TX, not to mention the post-production magician Conan Roberts, continue to produce extraordinary work.
The inclusion of our films in the SXSW XR Experience Exhibition is not just a nod to our technical achievements. It is, more importantly, a recognition of our commitment to storytelling that matters – storytelling that doesn't just entertain but also educates and enlightens.
As we prepare to showcase our work at SXSW, we invite you to join us on this journey. It’s an opportunity to witness how VR can transcend its role as a mere medium and become a portal to understanding and empathy.
For those planning to attend SXSW from March 9-12, 2024, prepare for an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is technologically impressive. And for those who can't make it, the films are currently playing on monthly rotation at the museum in Illinois. The conversation around these films and the future of VR storytelling is just beginning.
