BAFTA have been gradually letting virtual reality (VR) in to the rather exclusive club of movies and TV which are worthy of being nominated for any of BAFTA’s awards. Up until now, though, none had ever made it into the winner’s circle.
David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef Dive VR has won an award for Digital Creativity at the BAFTA TV Craft Awards, the first time a VR experience has won a BAFTA of any kind. The VR experience takes viewers down into the ocean to experience the underwater world of coral, colourful fish and dangerous reef sharks. Travelling in a high-tech submersible, Attenborough guides viewers through the intricate reef systems that make up the Great Barrier Reef.
Anthony Geffen, CEO at Atlantic Productions says: “This is a landmark moment for virtual reality as a medium and we are immensely proud to be at the forefront of this content revolution. We are delighted that BAFTA has recognised the risk-taking and innovation which is vital in pioneering a new form of filmmaking – and highlighted the massive leaps which the format has made. At a time when the Great Barrier Reef has never been more under threat, we hope that our experience in this immersive medium will continue to inspire and galvanise the public to engage in its conservation.”
The Great Barrier Reef Dive VR has been demonstrated all over the world to audiences at London’s Natural History Museum, the Australian Museum in Sydney and the Trondheim Science Museum in Norway.
David Attenborough himself will be bringing his distinctive voice to another VR experience, as VRFocus reported recently, with the upcoming historical VR experience Hold The world where VR users will be able to get hands-on with fossils and ancient bones.
VRFocus will continue to bring you news of award-winning VR experiences.