Ôl | Haunts is the first Welsh-language virtual reality work selected for competition at the Venice International Film Festival, marking a major milestone for Welsh immersive storytelling.
This accolade will mean taking Wales' audiovisual heritage to an international audience through material drawn from the Wales Broadcast Archive.
Selected for the Immersive Competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, Ôl | Haunts will be presented on Venice Immersive Island from 2–12 September, marking its international premiere. Before travelling to Venice, audiences will be able to experience the work at the National Library of Wales stand during the National Eisteddfod in North Pembrokeshire from 1–8 August.
Created by Wales Millennium Centre, Pilot Theatre and Dreaming Methods in collaboration with the National Library of Wales, the bilingual immersive experience was made possible through the Wales Broadcast Archive, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government.
Narrated in Welsh by Steffan Donnelly and in English by Callum Scott-Howells, Ôl | Haunts transports audiences back to 2006, exploring memory, place and identity through a blend of virtual reality, archive footage and music from Welsh artists including Super Furry Animals, John Cale and High Contrast. Archive content forms a key part of the experience, helping bring to life the sights, sounds and culture of a pivotal moment in modern Welsh history.
The title, Ôl | Haunts, and concept calls to the nostalgia that co-directors, Lucy Hammond and Tom Chetwode-Barton, wanted to evoke in audiences with a haunt referencing an experience that resonates deeply with our youth and the places, people and music that stay with us long into our adulthood.
Speaking on being selected for Venice International Film Festival, co-director Lucy Hammond said:
“It’s incredibly exciting seeing Ôl | Haunts being recognised on an international level.
“Seeing immersive work being celebrated at the world’s oldest film festival shows just how powerful it can be as a form of storytelling; we hope that it’ll evoke the same feelings of nostalgia in global audiences as it has done for audiences back at home.”
Dafydd Tudur, Head of Engagement, National Library of Wales, said:
“We are incredibly proud to see Ôl | Haunts showcased on the world's stage. The project demonstrates how the collections preserved by the National Library of Wales can inspire new forms of creativity and storytelling, enabling audiences to engage with Wales' history and culture in innovative and meaningful ways.
“The Wales Broadcast Archive was established to preserve, share and encourage new uses of our audiovisual heritage. Seeing archive material transformed into an immersive experience that will now be experienced by international audiences is a powerful example of that vision in action. Many thanks to all the partners on this project.”
Andrew White, Director for Wales, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“We’re delighted that Ôl | Haunts has been selected for the Venice International Film Festival, marking a significant moment for storytelling in Cymraeg. Thanks to National Lottery players, the Wales Broadcast Archive has helped open up Wales’ rich audiovisual heritage in new and innovative ways, inspiring creative projects that connect people with our stories, places and culture. We wish the team every success in Venice and look forward to seeing people from around the world experience this unique work.”
The Wales Broadcast Archive brings together content from the archives of BBC Cymru Wales, ITV Cymru Wales and S4C, providing access to more than a century of Welsh television and radio history. Made possible through partnerships with the broadcasters and support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government, around 650,000 hours of content are available at the National Library of Wales, at Clip Corners across Wales and online.
Dreaming Methods (Judi Alston and Andy Campbell) led on the concept development and the immersive creative. Ôl | Haunts highlights the creative potential of these collections, demonstrating how Wales' broadcast heritage can be reimagined for new audiences through cutting-edge digital storytelling.
EXPERIENCE ÔL | HAUNTS
National Eisteddfod of Wales, National Library of Wales Stand - 1–8 August
Venice International Film Festival, Venice Immersive Island - 2–12 September
Llais Festival, Wales Millennium Centre - 7–11 October
Category: News