By Liza Foreman
In a groundbreaking fusion of European cinema and the gaming world, UniFrance is set to launch the second edition of MyMetaStories, a film festival that brings the art of filmmaking into the virtual realm of Minecraft.
Running from October 11 to November 3, 2024, the event aims to bridge the gap between traditional cinema and the digital generation, offering a two-fold experience that spans both online platforms and the world’s most popular video game.
As per UniFrance Executive Director Daniela Elstner, the festival is a way for the French export body to explore new ways to promote French films and to connect them to a younger audience.
Elstner told The Film Verdict: “The festival allows us to work with a younger generation in a different way. I think if we only promote film by film, as we have done before, then we are missing out on opportunities. This is something we have to work on and also how to use AI on a daily basis.”
MyMetaStories, supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme, showcases 20 films from 14 European countries, including 13 short films and 7 feature films.
Half of these films are directed or co-directed by women, reflecting the festival’s commitment to diversity and representation in European cinema. The selection spans various genres, from animated comedies to dramas and thrillers, providing a comprehensive snapshot of contemporary European filmmaking.
What sets MyMetaStories apart is its ambitious use of Minecraft as a virtual cinema complex. For four days, from October 18 to 21, 2024, gamers worldwide can explore a custom-built city within Minecraft, complete with screening rooms designed to match the atmosphere of each film.
This helps UniFrance promote films in a new way.
Elstner added: “We created a cinema in MineCraft so people can watch films there. But the idea is also that it promotes films online. We do not know if this will work. But it will be interesting to see how we can work with influencers who watch a film and then play. One example from last year is an influencer with a huge number of followers. Out of all the people playing with them, 60 percent then watched a film. So we got people out of gaming.”
This world-first cinema complex in Minecraft offers an immersive experience where players can watch films, participate in film-inspired mini-games, and interact with fellow cinephiles and influencers.
The festival’s programming reflects a fresh perspective on European cinema, featuring filmmakers who play with the codes of world cinema while addressing contemporary societal issues. A significant portion of the selection is dedicated to European animation, which has universal appeal and often transcends language barriers.
Elstner added: “Our goal is twofold: to showcase a wide variety of European films to an audience that may not otherwise be exposed to them, and to test the crossover potential between these two different worlds. We’re bridging generations, cultures, creative modes of expression, platforms, and cultural industries.”
One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s edition is the screening of a feature film inside Minecraft for the first time. David Verbeek’s ‘R U There,’ which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010, explores themes of loneliness and virtual connections, making it a fitting choice for this pioneering presentation. The film will be available with English, French, and Spanish subtitles, creating a gateway to encourage gamers’ curiosity about European feature films.
The seven feature films screening include ‘After the Fire’ by Mehdi Friki (France); ‘Grand Paris’ by Martin Jauvat (France); ‘The Invisible Fight’ by Rainer Sarnet (Estonia, Latvia, Greece, Finland); ‘Kiddo’ by Zara Dwinger (The Netherlands); ‘The Lost Children’ by Michèle Jacob (Belgium); as well as ‘R U There’ by David Verbeek (The Netherlands, France, Taiwan); and ‘Sun’ by Kurdwin Ayub (Austria).
Gamers watch films differently.
“It is a very different experience,” she added. “They chat and make comments. Then it gets more and more silent. Once they get into the film. It’s a community that might not be there for film.”
Beyond Minecraft, MyMetaStories extends its reach through various online platforms. The festival has partnered with over 25 VoD platforms worldwide, including major players like Apple TV+, Google Play, and Amazon Prime Video. Short films will be available for free globally, while feature films will be free in Latin America, Africa, the Near East, and the Middle East, with a small fee applied in other regions.
The festival also leverages social media platforms and influencer partnerships to expand its audience. Over 25 international influencers on Twitch, each with an average of more than 2,000 viewers, will promote the event and offer their audiences full-access festival packs. MyMetaStories will also host Audience Awards on Discord and contests on Discord and Instagram, further engaging the digital-native audience.
MyMetaStories is not alone in exploring the intersection of cinema and virtual worlds. The Film Verdict’s MetaVerse Film Festival, another pioneer in this space, has been pushing the boundaries of film exhibition in virtual reality. Their festival offers immersive screenings and interactive Q&A sessions with filmmakers in a custom-built virtual environment, allowing attendees to experience films in ways never before possible.
Other meta film festivals are also emerging, each with their unique approach to blending cinema with digital experiences. The Virtual Reality Film Festival (VRFF) focuses exclusively on VR and 360-degree films, while the Crypto Film Festival explores the potential of blockchain technology in film distribution and funding. These events, along with MyMetaStories, are part of a growing trend that seeks to redefine the film festival experience for the digital age.
The inaugural edition of MyMetaStories yielded promising results, with over 60% of gamers visiting the virtual movie theater. Building on this success, the second edition aims to strengthen the connection between the Minecraft experience and VoD platforms. The festival has expanded its educational offerings, including a ‘main quest’ that takes gamers on a journey through the history of European cinema.
As cinema continues to evolve in the digital era, initiatives like MyMetaStories play a crucial role in introducing European films to new audiences and exploring innovative distribution methods. By embracing the world of gaming and virtual experiences, UniFrance is not only preserving the relevance of European cinema but also actively shaping its future in the metaverse.
While MyMetaStories is not officially associated with Minecraft’s creators, Mojang or Microsoft, it represents a step forward in the convergence of gaming and cinema. As the lines between different forms of entertainment continue to blur, festivals like MyMetaStories are at the forefront of a new frontier in film exhibition and audience engagement, promising exciting possibilities for the future of cinema in the digital realm.
Still there are issues to resolve.
“Part of our current thinking is how to shape a UniFrance that is sustainable and sustainable budget wise,” said Elstner. “Meta and my French Films online festival are polluting the planet by consuming energy but in a different way to say taking flights. This is part of our thinking moving forward. How to be planet friendly.”
(The Film Verdict’s own foray into the MILC metaverse, the Alpha Film Festival curated by our film critic Ben Nicholson, is now also prepping its second edition after its bow in March last year.)
