May Abdalla and Barry Gene Murphy

GOLIATH: PLAYING WITH REALITY

GOLIATH: PLAYING WITH REALITY, May Abdalla and Barry Gene Murphy

GOLIATH : PLAYING WITH REALITY is a 25-minute animated virtual reality experience about schizophrenia, gaming and connection. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best VR Immersive Work at the 78th Venice International Film Festival (2021). Nominated for a News & Documentary Emmy Award in the Outstanding Interactive Media Innovation category (2022).

United Kingdom, France, 25 minutes, 2021
Virtual Reality Film, standing experience with controllers
PEGI 16 | From 16 years old
Language | English

About the artists

May Abdalla

Barry Gene Murphy

May Abdalla and Barry Gene Murphy were the directing team on Goliath: Playing With Reality and Impulse: Playing With Reality. Goliath won the Grand Jury Prize for VR at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy in the Outstanding Interactive Media Innovation category. It has been shown at over 50 major festivals and venues around the world including SXSW, Sundance and IDFA and as stand-alone public exhibitions. It was awarded Best XR International Documentary at the Numix Awards and Best Film and Digital, Interactive Award at the 2022 Adelaide Fringe Festival, Jury Distinction at Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Best XR at Brazil Independent Games Festival. 

Impulse won the Achievement Prize for VR at the Venice Film festival and the Villa Albertine French Immersion Exhibition Grant. May Abdalla is a highly acclaimed director. She received the Rory Peck Award for independent journalism, and her work has been selected for the Directors Fortnight at Cannes. Her VR experience Make Noise was selected in competition at Venice Film and it was awarded the Innovation Award from Amnesty International. Barry Gene Murphy is an award-winning filmmaker and artist with over 15 years’ experience in animation, 3D and special effects. He has created visuals for Nike, Sky, Samsung, and for the Royal Ballet in association with Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta.

Credits

Director & Writer: Barry Gene Murphy
Co-Director, Writer & Executive Producer: May Abdalla
Lead Producer: Anetta Jones
Executive Producer: Kirsty Jennings, Rebecca Frankel
Co-Producer: Katayoun Dibamehr – Floréal Films, Avi Amar – Floréal Films
Executive Producer: Liz Rosenthal, Oculus: Amy Seidenwurm, Oculus: Yelena Rachitsky

An Anagram, Floréal and Oculus Production.
With support from CNC (Expériences Numériques), Région Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, National Film & TV School (Uk), Creative XR, The British Film Institute and Biennale College (Mostra Di Venezia).

Ticketing starts on March 14

GOLIATH: PLAYING WITH REALITY is available upon reservation
Chapter 2 from June 21 to September 21, 2025
Ticketed
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