Draft:The Passengers (VR)

The Passengers is a Canadian and French interactive multi-user virtual reality series in which participants experience the internal journey of four strangers and their inner thoughts during a shared train ride and can change the course of the story with their gaze, voice and gestures. The VR series was directed by Ziad Touma, and produced by Couzin Films and Les Produits Frais.

The series won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Immersive Experience, Fiction at the 10th Canadian Screen Awards in 2022.

Its different chapters premiered at various prestigious international film and interactive festivals such as: Her & Him competed at SXSW, The Child premiered at Tribeca and The Lady was first shown at GIFF (Geneva International Film Festival).

Synopsis
The Passengers is the story of four passengers who do not know each other, traveling together in a train square. They share one point in common: they are all facing a pivotal moment in their lives. Their real journey is internal and it is you who will embark on it, taking their place and helping them make a crucial decision.

Discover the inner world of each of them: a woman questions her motherhood, a man must overcome his shyness, a lady is struggling with her memories and a kid feels guilty about his parents’ separation.

Enter the thoughts of one character at a time, to hear their inner voice, to see their memories and live their emotions.

The viewer can change the course of the story by their dynamic gaze, and is also invited to speak out loud or make gestures to help the passenger on their quest.

Awards and Nominations

 * Canadian Screen Award - Best Immersive Experience - Fiction 2022
 * HUB Montreal - Innovation Prize
 * International VR Awards - Finalist 2021
 * Stereopsia Europe - Crystal Owl Awards Nominee - 2022
 * Prix Gémeaux - Finalist 2022
 * Prix Numix - Finalist 2021

Festivals
The Passengers was selected and exhibited in many prestigious festivals around the world including:


 * NewImages Festival (Paris) - XR Competition 2020
 * Festival du nouveau cinéma (Montreal) - FNC Explore - Official Competition 2020
 * South by Southwest - Virtual Cinema Competition - Official Selection 2021
 * Tribeca Film Festival - Official Selection 2021
 * Festival of International Virtual & Augmented Reality Stories (FIVARS) - Official Selection 2021
 * Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF Immersed) - Official Selection 2021
 * Geneva International Film Festival - Immersive Works Competition - 2021
 * Cannes XR - Official Selection 2022
 * Rotterdam International Film Festival - Official Selection 2022

Credits

 * Produced by Ziad Touma (Couzin Films, Quebec/Canada) & Oriane Hurard (Les Produits Frais, France)
 * Directed by Ziad Touma
 * Written by Nicolas Peufaillit, in collaboration with Robert Hospyan & Coralie Majouga
 * Based on an original idea by yako (Jean-Christophe Yacono) & Camille Duvelleroy
 * Featuring Maxim Roy (Her), Sébastien Chassagne (Him), Evelyne Istria (The Lady), Ethann Bergua-Isidore (The Kid)
 * Produced in collaboration with Dpt., Post-Moderne and Mocaplab and the participation of Novelab, Satore Tech, Rümker and Accordex
 * With the financial support of CMF (Canada Media Fund), CNC, Sodec and Région Occitanie.
 * Developed at the Sundance New Frontier Story Lab, Banff Emergence Lab and Sodec Atelier Grand Nord XR