From enrolling in this studio, our short film ‘Meet Me at MIFF XR’ depicts the following prompts: “Post COVID film festival practices” and “The engagement with place at The Capitol and surrounds”. These prompts are highlighted within the screen recording of the extended reality where it is set at The Capitol and in our narrative. Specifically, when our two characters are planning to meet and engage with the function that the XR has to offer, such as the 360 programs and the conversation pits, highlights what the XR is and how people respond to the application. In a way with the nature of the narrative, we hoped that the audience was able to understand the relationship between place and the purpose of film festivals. With the studio partnering with Melbourne International Film Festival and having an interview with Mia Falestein-Rush, a programmer for MIFF, we were able to have an insight into how the XR was developed, the purpose for it, and her views on what film festival offers. As a result, from that interview, it is the community that makes Film Festival a core environment for cinephiles where they discuss the art of film whether online or face-to-face.

Our hybrid fiction-documentary short film definitely communicates with how COVID impacts Film Festivals where we have to communicate in another way. The main difference is where we watch these called films or 360 programs that it does not have the same impact when one sits in a cinema with other participants. I believe the virtual aspect of film festival practice is more individualized as it is catering for one user as to when you enter the 360 programs, you do not share the experience with your friends as you are by yourself. The fiction creates a juxtapositions with virtual reality as the fiction is the core representation of what could’ve been. As in, these two characters could have met at the site itself if it was not for COVID. It also enhances that the XR is used with a laptop that does not require expensive headgear which highlights its accessibility which can be notified with the interview with Mia during the last part of our short film. Overall, with how one engages with Film Festival culture, the XR proves that there are ways to provide the services that Film Festival offers.