Venice VR Expanded 2020 Goes Digital with Satellite Network

The fourth edition of Venice VR Expanded, originally scheduled at the Lazzaretto Vecchio, pivots to a hybrid format due to the pandemic. The festival launches a digital platform supported by HTC VIVEPORT, Facebook's Oculus, VRChat, and VRrOOm, alongside a Satellite Network that makes 44 VR experiences accessible at 14 cultural institutions worldwide, including the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Comédie de Genève, Espace CENTQUATRE-PARIS, and Eye Filmmuseum Amsterdam. The selection features 31 immersive works in competition, 9 out-of-competition Best of VR, and 4 projects from Biennale College Cinema – VR, including the Italian piece "Vajont" by Iolanda Di Bonaventura. Other Italian participants are Matteo Lonardi with interactive documentary "Il dubbio" and Claudio Casale with "Om Devi: Sheroes Revolution." The jury includes Celine Tricart, Asif Kapadia, and Hideo Kojima, awarding prizes for Best Immersive VR Work, Best Immersive VR Experience, and Best Immersive VR Story.