The immersive VR film 'MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: Silver Phantom' has been nominated in the Venice Immersive section of the Venice International Film Festival, one of the world's three major film festivals. This marks the first time a Gundam series work has been nominated for an international film festival.

'MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: Silver Phantom' is a VR feature film produced in collaboration between Bandai Namco Filmworks and Atlas V, a company known for creating numerous VR works, and distributed by Astrea.

Set in Universal Century 0096, one of the eras celebrated in the 45th anniversary of the Gundam series, the story allows viewers to participate as the protagonist belonging to an unofficial mercenary group, Argent Keel, neither Federation nor Zeon, experiencing the full-scale Universal Century.

The Venice International Film Festival, one of the world's three major film festivals along with the Cannes and Berlin International Film Festivals, will hold its 81st edition from August 28 to September 7. This year's Venice Immersive section will take place on Lazzaretto Vecchio Island, featuring immersive media projects using various XR creative expression methods, including virtual reality (VR) technology, with awards being presented to the selected works.

A message of gratitude from Director Kenichi Suzuki:

"I am truly grateful for the nomination in the Immersive section of the Venice International Film Festival. I am also extremely pleased to have participated in this challenging project, the VR film 'MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: Silver Phantom.'

For me, specializing in 2D animation direction, this project was a very stimulating and challenging experience, involving different directorial and production methods from 2D animation. Many staff members, including myself, were tackling VR for the first time, making the production process extremely difficult. However, with the cooperation of Atlas V and Studio ALBYON, we were able to address many issues, such as how to integrate the characteristics of a Gundam work, VR-specific direction techniques, and CG technical regulations, one step at a time. I am now confident that we have completed an innovative film.

Gundam is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, and I believe this VR film, where anyone can experience the Universal Century, is an extremely exciting content. I would like to tell my childhood self that 'you can become the main character and participate in the Universal Century.' Additionally, the Bandai Namco Group already has life-sized Gundam statues, but I believe VR is revolutionary in allowing people to experience the 'worldview,' 'characters,' and 'story.'

I would like to refrain from providing specific details and hope that everyone will actually watch and feel the VR experience and share the excitement. I believe that such VR films will be established as a new format in the future.

Finally, I would like to share this fortunate opportunity we have been invited to with the staff. Thank you very much."

Source : ORICON NEWS