Can a short VR movie be produced in just two days? This was the bet taken by the 48h VR Film Jam in Beirut last weekend.  

It seems the answer is yes, it can. And in Beirut no less.

Fifteen Lebanese students, video producers and graphic designers, keen to learn more about virtual reality filmmaking, got the chance to experiment and hone their skills last weekend during the two-day hackathon.

Equipped with 360° cameras, VR headsets, and Wonda VR Studio software to complete film projects, four teams were given an artistic and technical brief.

For the next two days they worked intensely, to develop a concept, write a script, shoot the scenes, stitch the images, edit their videos, and finalize their virtual reality movies. They were supported throughout this journey by the VR experts, Arnault Labaronne and Florian Pannetier, and the hackathon’s organizing team.

“We had the knowledge about VR and 360 degree shooting but it was always at the theoretical stage,” said one participant Robin Eid.

At the annual Journée internationale de la Francophonie, which this year had a focus on art and technology, the winning team Evadez-vous (‘break free’ in English), received $1,000.

The VR experiences produced during Beirut’s hackathon will benefit from a great exposure since they will be published in Wonda VR Lab, an application gathering all the movies shot during the Wonda VR 48h Film Jam World Tour.

The event was organized by l’institut Français, Beirut Creative Cluster, Berytech, and SGBL.

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