Chinese VR Short Film 'Pigeon Ring' Wins Venice Immersive Grand Prize
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago4 MIN

Summary
Chinese VR short film 'Pigeon Ring' (鴿環) has won the Venice Immersive Grand Prize at the 83rd Venice Film Festival. The 35-minute film was directed by Zhang Yuqi (張妤琦) and Tao Shixin (陶世欣), and tells the story of protagonist 'Xiao Lin' who returns home during a holiday and accompanies his stubborn grandfather back to an abandoned family home to search for a lost pigeon ring . Through this search, the film reveals the grandfather's hidden memories and historical trauma, delicately portraying the emotional connections of an ordinary family's bonds and memories .
Key Points
- The Venice Immersive section screened 68 works from 26 countries and regions, with 30 entries competing for awards
- The film utilizes virtual reality and immersive installation technology to present its narrative over its 35-minute runtime
- Director Tao Shixin graduated from Beijing Film Academy and demonstrated creative talent in visual storytelling during student years
- Tao Shixin's early work included directing an MV for the youth song 'You Are Not in Nanjing' in 2019
- The story centers on the emotional journey of searching for a pigeon ring, uncovering family history and memories
Why It Matters
This victory marks a significant achievement for Chinese VR filmmakers in the international arena, demonstrating the growing prominence of Chinese immersive content in global competitions . The film's success highlights how virtual reality technology can serve as a powerful medium for exploring personal and collective historical narratives .
This victory marks a significant achievement for Chinese VR filmmakers in the international arena, demonstrating the growing prominence of Chinese immersive content in global competitions . The film's success highlights how virtual reality technology can serve as a powerful medium for exploring personal and collective historical narratives .