Pixvana Launches New Feature to Power SIFF VR Zone

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Mon, 05/14/2018 - 11:35 -- Nick Dager

Pixvanaa, today announced that it has partnered with Seattle International Film Festival to provide the content distribution technology for the SIFF VR Zone, where audiences will explore compelling virtual reality and 360 video content from around the world.

The SIFF VR Zone will utilize Pixvana’s VR casting, which manages and distributes content from SPIN Studio to multiple VR headsets. This innovative solution will allow SIFF to show its program of 360 immersive experiences to all attendees via a simple pair-and-share feature that securely delivers the highest quality content when the audience is ready to view.

Pixvana also released an enhancement called Auto Play that automatically starts selected VR programming the moment a viewer puts on a headset. This eliminates the need for the viewer to use the headset remote and mitigates any chance of accidentally exiting from the VR experience.

“We’re abuzz with excitement over the VR Zone at SIFF as it’s the perfect stage for our newest product advancements aimed at delivering a truly unique and streamlined viewer experience,” said Forest Key, founder and CEO of Pixvana. “Never has it been easier for film festivals and event coordinators to showcase VR content and ensure audiences are completely immersed in an experience from the moment they put on a headset. As an industry leader, our goal is to continue making VR as simple and convenient as possible to consume by constantly innovating around the playing and viewing experience.”

The SIFF VR Zone will run May 18 through June 10 in the Pacific Place shopping center, in the heart of downtown Seattle. The event will shine a spotlight on some of the best in global immersive and interactive content, curated from top industry film festivals from around the world, including Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca Film Festival. Guests will have 90 minutes to explore more two-dozen experiences in a diverse array of stunning and compelling immersive settings.

“At SIFF, we strive to deliver a truly cinematic feel across all of the industry’s best immersive creations and enable viewers from around the world to experience the power of VR by showcasing the boundless qualities of filmmaking in this new medium,” said SIFF executive director, Sara Wilke. “Pixvana’s technology helps deliver the highest quality viewing experience for event attendees with simplicity and ease. We are excited to partner with Pixvana to power this unique film experience.”

"Long lines can be a real issue at VR events, and one of the things that causes those backups is the need to have a docent reset the headset content for each guest,” said Kim Voynar, CEO of WonderTek Labs and producer of SIFF VR Zone. “With Pixvana's technology and VR casting solution, there are no complicated menus to navigate through; all you have to do is sit down, pop on a headset and experience the piece you want to see immediately. Partnering with Pixvana to run our 360 video program allows us to maximize the number of pieces each guest has a chance to see during their 90-minute time slot in the SIFF VR Zone."

Pixvana www.pixvana.com