The coastal splendor of Cannes once again became the epicenter of cutting-edge digital storytelling as the 79th Festival de Cannes celebrated the crowning achievements of its Immersive Competition.
In a highly anticipated ceremony held at the vibrant Plage des Palmes, the Immersive Competition Jury officially bestowed the prestigious Best Immersive Work Award upon Katàbasis, a groundbreaking creation by the visionary artist Ugo Arsac.
The jury also took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on another remarkable piece of digital artistry, awarding a Special Jury Mention to The Black Mirror Experience, co-created by David Bardos and Damià Ferràndiz.
The recognition of both projects highlights the sheer diversity and elevated caliber of narrative innovation on display during this year’s festivities, showcasing how technology can be harnessed to deepen audience engagement.
This year’s formidable jury was led by the distinguished Franco-Spanish artistic director Blanca Li. Working alongside her was an esteemed panel of international visionaries, including French director Céline Tricart, Dutch composer and director Michel van der Aa, English director and producer Mary Matheson, and Taiwanese director Hsin-Chien Huang.
Together, they evaluated a highly competitive field of boundary-pushing projects.
Expressing the jury’s collective admiration for the winning piece, President Blanca Li offered glowing praise for Arsac’s triumph. She described Katàbasis as a magnificent immersive work that is deeply human, authentic, and emotionally powerful.
She added that the experience beautifully allows participants to reconnect with the profound, unseen threads that bind seemingly ordinary human beings together.
Now in its third landmark edition, the Immersive Competition has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the festival’s modern identity. This year, the competitive showcase moved to the iconic Carlton Hotel, where it captured the imagination of festival-goers.
Hosting up to 200 guests per showcase, the venue became a bustling hub of digital exploration, ultimately generating over 3,000 bookings throughout the duration of the festival.
With a curated selection featuring nine exceptional works in competition representing eight different countries, the event successfully demonstrated how immersive technology continues to redefine the future of cinematic and sensory expression.
Published By : May 21, 2026.
