At our IWM Lambeth site we are looking at developing and hosting an artistic commission using immersive VR headset technology. Estimated value of £1M.

Procurement Act 2023

Direct award At our IWM Lambeth site we are looking at developing and hosting an artistic commission using immersive VR headset technology. A discovery phase comprised extensive market research to identify existing provision and key operators in the sector, which was supplemented with attendance at a sector trade show. Information on operating and business models was gathered via desk research, conversations with a sample of providers who had expressed interest in working with us at the trade show and via email/ LinkedIn and visits to immersive experiences. This process highlighted East City Films who bring a combination of experience that spans content development and storytelling, underpinned by archival/ collections research and curatorial content, filmmaking, technical knowledge/ expertise, operational and business modelling, knowledge of touring models and an established network of arts/ heritage venues that positions them to meet the requirements of the IWM brief. Over the last decade, they have developed a distinctive production methodology for creating large-scale, multi-sensory VR documentary experiences designed for cultural venues and public audiences. Critically, East City Film's capability extends beyond production into touring, licensing and long-term IP development and exploitation and brings the creative and technical knowledge to co-develop new work with IWM as well as the infrastructure and commercial experience to ensure that work reaches the widest possible audience over time. It is this combination of archive-led storytelling expertise, proprietary production methodology and proven exploitation capability that we seek to enable a genuine co-creation partnership underpinned by existing know-how and IP that directly accelerates and de-risks the development of new work. We will be awarding the contract to East City Films, as we have not found a creative agency with experience of developing critically acclaimed, award-winning (in film/ art-form category) VR headset experiences for the museum sector who also bring this the requisite combination of proprietary IP, proven methodology, specialist know-how and established networks of venues and relationships with potential funders.