The Journey Back Nominated for Best Use of Digital International at the Museum + Heritage Awards

We are absolutely thrilled to share some brilliant news—The Journey Back has been shortlisted for Best Use of Digital – International at the prestigious Museums + Heritage Awards 2025!

This nomination, in partnership with the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, is a huge honour. Each year, the competition for these awards gets stronger, and we’re beyond proud to see A Journey Back recognised among the best digital projects in the cultural sector.

About The Journey Back

The Journey Back is a groundbreaking VR experience that allows audiences to step into the personal histories of Holocaust survivors, immersing them in powerful, first-person testimonies. Through innovative storytelling and cutting-edge virtual reality, we’ve worked to preserve these essential narratives and bring them to new generations in an engaging and impactful way.

The project includes our three powerful VR films:

• Letters From Drancy, featuring the story of survivor Marion Deichmann.
• Walk To Westerbork, following the journey of Rodi Glass.
• Escape To Shanghai, sharing the experience of Doris Fogel.

What This Nomination Means

This recognition is not just for us but for everyone involved—our incredible creative team, our partners at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, and most importantly, the survivors whose stories we have the privilege of sharing. It reinforces the power of digital technology in historical education and remembrance.

Looking Ahead to the Awards Ceremony

The winners will be announced at the Museums + Heritage Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 15th, at the Hilton London Park Lane. The event will be hosted by National Geographic Explorer, paleoanthropologist, evolutionary biologist, and stand-up comic Ella Al-Shamahi—and we can’t wait to be there to celebrate with our fellow nominees.

Join Us in Celebrating!

We invite you to celebrate this moment with us! Follow our journey on social media, share the news, and help us spread the word about the importance of immersive storytelling in preserving history.

If your museum or institution is interested in licensing The Journey Back, please get in touch with us at hello@eastcityfilms.com.

Thank you to everyone who has supported The Journey Back. We are honoured to be recognised and excited for what’s to come!

Follow the conversation online using #MandHAwards and check out the full shortlist here.