Channel 4 Commissions Grenfell Based VR Film

A 15 minute VR film, 'Grenfell: Our Home', has been commissioned by Channel 4, and will show the community that was affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

It was commissioned by the Current Affairs department and is from independent production company Parable.

The documentary focuses on the people, their homes, and their community who lived in Grenfell Tower. It will have stories from survivors and personal records of what happened.

This film will combine documentary interviews shot in stereoscopic 360 with computer-generated animation to focus on important events and poignant every-day moments of the residents' lives, incorporating the contributors' own photos and video footage.

The film is being directed by Parable's Creative Director, Jonathan Rudd, the animation is being designed and created by the award-winning 59 Productions and the music composed by the acclaimed Icelandic composer, Biggi Hilmars.

David Wise, Parable's CEO and the Executive Producer of the film, said: "Virtual Reality is often described as 'the empathy tool' for its ability to immerse and engage viewers so intensely in other people's stories and other worlds. The combination of 360 video and beautiful animation will enable the telling of this important story in a way that no other medium can match."

Siobhan Sinnerton, Commissioning Editor added: "Innovation lies at the core of Channel 4's remit so we are delighted to be exploring new and interesting ways to deliver the very best storytelling, and journalism. We hope this piece will give our audience a truly unique perspective on what the Grenfell community was like before the fire."

The film has been selected to premiere at Sheffield Doc/Fest's Alternative Realities exhibition from June 7.

The film will be released on social media and made available for free in various VR stores.