The annual Sheffield Doc/Fest returns to the UK city in June, bringing with it plenty of new virtual reality (VR) films as part of the Alternate Realities section. For budding immersive content creators the Alternate Realities Exhibition has announced a new commission, tasking artist(s) based anywhere in the world to create an imaginative immersive documentary for the event, offering a £12,000 GBP prize.
Following the success of 2016’s winning project Indefinite by VR artist Darren Emerson and 2017’s winning project Future Aleppo by Alex Pearson/Marshmallow Laser Feast, Sheffield Doc/Fest’s third commission is an opportunity for creatives to truly innovate in the field of documentary-based interactive storytelling.
Sheffield Doc/Fest states that: “To be considered, projects must be immersive or interactive documentaries. We are particularly interested in projects that push the boundaries of what is technically possible within factual storytelling. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation in interactive storytelling in the realm of non-fiction and documentary-making.”
While not essential, the organisers would deem it desirable that anyone considering entering will need to show a body of artistic work in the field, including a proven track record of recent work, projects, exhibitions, publishing, and/or commissions.
The project doesn’t need to be made specifically for the Alternate Realities competition, with the panel being open to projects that may have already been started or developed or are in production, providing they respond to the brief and they are made aware of any other partners or funding bodies involved in the project.
Winners will be awarded £12,000 to cover artist fees and all production costs and expenses. Travel (including international flights) and accommodation for the artist to install their work and participate in the Festival will be covered in addition. One member of the project team must be available to be present during the Festival, 7 – 12 June 2018.
Submissions are open now with the deadline for proposals being 12 noon GMT on Monday 12th March, 2018. For further details on the competition and the application process head to the Sheffield Doc/Fest website. For any further updates, keep reading VRFocus.