From Feature Films to Virtual Production and Immersive Storytelling

The journey of creating an interactive documentary MURALS, inspired by the works of Banksy in Ukraine

Explore the captivating and inspiring journey behind MURALS, an interactive documentary that seamlessly marries traditional filmmaking and state-of-the-art scanning and virtual production technology to narrate the gripping tale of war’s impact in Ukraine. Plus discover how the haunting remains of war intertwine with the evocative artworks of Banksy, rendered through an immersive visual narrative.

MURALS stands as a collaborative effort amongst global talents, including the Grammy-winning studio Aggressive, 3D artist Artem Ivanenko, virtual production experts PixelRace, and the Polish production house ATM Virtual. This session provides a look at the project’s inception a year ago at PICTURE THIS_ and Industry at Tallinn, its execution, and the technology that powered its storytelling.

Having made its debut at Cannes Next 2023, MURALS has been recognized for its technical and creative excellence. This session will dissect the project’s developmental stages, offering insights into the integration of 3D scanning and virtual production in crafting compelling narratives. The speakers will delve into the technical aspects, unveiling how technology can be adeptly harnessed to enhance storytelling.

Speakers including Alex Topaller & Dan Shapiro of Aggressive, Radoslawa Bardes of ATM Virtual, and Maciej Zemocjin of PixelRace will share their expertise and experiences. Participants will also gain an understanding of the multifaceted process between creativity and technology that underlies such an ambitious project, illustrating the intersection of cutting edge tools, art, and narrative.

The Author's Manifesto:
An audacious war of conquest is being waged in Europe's heart; a criminal military force has invaded a sovereign nation and is systematically destroying its people, cities, and culture. It happened before, not so long ago – who is filming today's The Great Dictator? Where is today's Guernica? This project is our letter to today's generation of Ukrainians, our friends and colleagues, the people whose bombed-out houses we scanned for this project, and the heroes who are in the trenches at this very moment – we will remember everything; we will not stay quiet. We know that if the killers strangle Ukrainian freedom, the entire world as we know it — built on principles of liberty and dignity — will be gone. We believe in Ukraine. We believe that people who have tasted freedom and dignity will never bend their knees to become vassals. Ukraine will be victorious and free.

Presented by Maciej Zemocjin, Radoslawa Bardes, Alex Topaller & Dan Shapiro