Haunting the Future: Wales’ First VR Landmark Takes Venice by Storm
A Landmark Welsh Premiere
Selected for the prestigious Immersive Category at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, Ôl | Haunts will make its international debut on Venice Immersive Island, 2–12 September. Out of hundreds of submissions worldwide, only 68 immersive works were chosen — and Wales stands proudly among them.
Before its Venetian spotlight, audiences at the National Eisteddfod (1–8 August) will get an exclusive preview at the National Library of Wales stand, marking a rare chance to experience the work before it travels overseas.
A Journey Back to 2006 — Twenty Years On
Ôl | Haunts transports audiences to Llanberis, the former slate town nestled beneath the brooding mountains of Gwynedd. It’s 2006: Twitter has just launched, flip phones are still everywhere, and a new digital world is quietly reshaping youth culture.
Narrated by Callum Scott‑Howells (English) and Steffan Donnelly (Welsh), the experience blends theatre, virtual landscapes and archival footage from the Wales Broadcast Archive — a treasure trove of material from BBC Cymru Wales, ITV Cymru Wales and S4C.
Nostalgia, Memory and the Places That Haunt Us
Co‑directors Lucy Hammond and Tom Chetwode‑Barton set out to create an experience that lingers — a “haunt” in the truest sense. The title nods to the people, places and music that imprint on us in youth and echo throughout adulthood.
Lucy Hammond says:
“Seeing immersive work celebrated at the world’s oldest film festival shows just how powerful it can be. We hope Ôl | Haunts evokes the same nostalgia in global audiences as it has at home.”
Tom Chetwode‑Barton adds:
“It’s fantastic to see Welsh‑language immersive work recognised on this stage. We hope it shines a light on the creativity coming out of Wales.”
Soundtracked by Welsh Icons
The experience pulses with music from Super Furry Animals, John Cale and High Contrast, weaving a multi‑sensory tapestry of youth culture against the stark beauty of North Wales’ industrial past.
A Collaboration Rooted in Welsh Innovation
Ôl | Haunts is a bilingual co‑production between Wales Millennium Centre, Pilot Theatre, and Dreaming Methods, created in partnership with the National Library of Wales. It forms part of Wales Millennium Centre’s growing commitment to immersive storytelling — including the annual Annwn Prize and new commissions shaping its 2027 season.
David Massey, Creative Technology and Storytelling Senior Producer at WMC, says:
“Ôl | Haunts reflects our ongoing commitment to developing immersive work and supporting the artists creating it, in Wales and beyond.”
Experience Ôl | Haunts
National Eisteddfod – National Library of Wales Stand 1–8 August
Venice International Film Festival – Immersive Island 2–12 September
Llais Festival, Wales Millennium Centre 7–11 October