Mirage-VR
Logline
Mirage is an interactive Virtual Reality experience of a young girl who is battling depression and anxiety. It uses a haptic vest and noise-cancelling headphones to enhance the experience.
Synopsis
Mirage is an interactive Virtual Reality experience of a young girl who is battling depression and anxiety. Set in a desert landscape, it is a metaphoric and stylized adaptation with visuals created by the artist Naima Karim and her lived experience with her daughter’s depression and anxiety. The audience embarks on an immersive journey through the young girl’s mind, using hand-tracking interactivity, spatial sound design, original music, and a haptic vest. With hand-tracking interaction, they will be encouraged to support her through her challenges. However, accepting struggles and accepting help from others is not easy for a person suffering from depression and anxiety. Mirage sheds light on the often misunderstood realities of depression and anxiety, inspiring empathy and understanding. With this interactive virtual reality experience, Naima wants to spark a conversation and encourage people to offer help and support to those struggling with depression and anxiety.
Trailer
https://youtu.be/3iEshHxCcOo?si=_bKDXWCglJ1KzA89
World Premiere
Aug 27 - Sept 6, Mirage is officially invited to the Venice Immersive Competition section at the 82nd Venice Biennale Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica.
https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2025/venice-immersive
Biennale Cinema 2025 | Venice Immersive
Other festivals and events
28th Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival, Czech Republic, 2025 - Award nomination
European XR Awards, Brussels, 2025 - Finalist
Torino Film Industry ShortTO XR showcase, 2025
Laval Virtual 2026, France - Experience award nomination
Ru-mòre-Cinema and Audiovisual Experimentation Festival, Rome, 2026
Saudi Confex, Saudi Arabia, 2025
Tanween Festival, Ithra 2024 - Demo showcase
Team
Director, Co-creator, Artist, and Co-writer: Naima Karim
Co-creator: Aleena Hanif
Co-writer: Aroosha Hanif
Co-producer: Naima Karim, The Netherlands
Co-producer: Creative Solutions Program, King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, Saudi Arabia
Executive producer: Rafi Nizam
Music Composer: Kuba Williams
Vocal: Josef Clair
Mental Health Consultant: Sarah Trevathan
Parent Coach and Educator: Mia Clarice Treakle
Production Team: AEON Production
Producer, Animator: Mladen Đukić
CG Artist, Sound Designer, Unreal Engine TD: Nemanja Vučenović
Character Animator: Sandra Marić
Modeler, Rigger: Dušan Šarić
Modeler: Nina Majkić
Project Manager: Bojana Pavić
Voice: Aleena Hanif
Voice: Aroosha hanif
Voice teacher: Fiona Lesley
Voice teacher: Rafi Nizam
Voice: Child #1: Tabitha Storm Nizam-Buck
Voice: Child #2: Millicent Falcon Nizam-Buck
Mentors: Simon Benson
Rafi Nizam
Mark Ashmore
Press kit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11lUakojND56RmvrwZmNf8YJyRMDl0avglCfMkNDVRHA/edit?usp=sharing
At Tanween Festival Demo days
At Tanween Festival Demo days
Painting for the storyboard
Painting for the storyboard
Painting for the storyboard