Paris, June 22 (CNA) The first episode of the animated virtual reality film series "Gloomy Eyes," produced by HTC Vive of Taiwan in collaboration with several international companies, won the Masque d'or (Golden Mask) Grand Prize at the 2019 NewImages Festival Awards in Paris on Saturday.

The Golden Mask was the latest in a string of international awards the VR film has gained since its first episode premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

The 9-minute animated episode, narrated by Irish actor Colin Farrell, was commended by the four-member jury at the NewImages Festival for its groundbreaking storytelling and immersive perspective.

Gloomy Eyes - Trailer from 3DAR on Vimeo.

HTC Vive Originals technical director Tommy Chang (張嘉文) told CNA that HTC was thrilled to be able to join the multinational cooperation project.

Describing VR as a new electronic vehicle and media, Chang said such novel technology requires creative teams from around the world, working together to explore its potential.

"Gloomy Eyes" is a three-part animated VR series that depicts a zombie struggling to find his place in a world fractured by conflicts between the zombie and human populations. It is being produced by Atlas V, 3dar, Ryot, Arte and HTC Vive.

The first episode, co-directed by Jorge Tereso and Fernando Maldonado of South America, was awarded a prize at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in Annecy, France earlier this month.

It also won the Best Storytelling Award at the SXSW Film Festival in the U.S. in mid-March and the best VR short film prize at the 38th Brussels International Animation Film Festival in early March.

The NewImages Festival, first launched in 2018 as a VR film exchange platform, was held this year from June 19-23. The Golden Mask prize takes its name from the head-mounted device that is used to watch VR content.

(By Tzeng Yi-shiuan and Elizabeth Hsu)
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