Alternate Realities is Sheffield DocFest’s immersive XR strand. In 2026 the programme is centered around the documentary and storytelling possibilities of gaming multi-worlds, which act as meeting spaces for many different communities.
In order to support early career, independent creatives or those with ideas in very early stages, the programme will host a three-day Storytelling in Gaming: Challenge Lab, in strategic partnership with Sheffield Hallam University and supported by the British Council. Five creative teams selected from a global public call out, will develop prototypes for new work in a structured lab residency.
Over the course of the Lab, each team will develop a playable 3 - 5 minutes prototype of an interactive experience within any gaming platform, driven by a narrative storyline. This prototype will be presented to industry attendees at the Alternative Realities Summit on Saturday 13 June.
Each team will develop a prototype within a structured, supportive setting before experiencing their work in a 360° immersive suite. They will then present to an industry panel for constructive feedback and have the opportunity to network with attending professionals.
Schedule:
- Thursday 11 June, 10am - 8pm
- Friday 12 June, 10am - 5pm ; 5 - 8pm: Immersive Recording sessions for all teams
- Saturday 13 June, 10am - 2.30pm Alternate Realities Summit - all teams present to the industry panel and receive constructive feedback
Who We’re Looking For:
- Teams of creatives in the createch space who’d like to develop a new or existing interactive experience within any gaming platform, driven by a narrative storyline
- Teams with mixed experience in areas such as motion graphics design, games development, interactive media design, VR/AR experiences
- We particularly welcome applications from creatives from underrepresented countries and the global south working in createch, games and XR. Teams from countries in receipt of Official Development Assistance (list here) will be able to access additional funding above the £750 budget (detailed below) for visas, travel and accommodation to enable us to bring together diverse voices in the field, with support from the British Council.
- Teams can start from scratch or work on an existing project but projects must not have been publicly shown, including on platforms like Steam, prior to the Challenge Lab commencing i.e. must still be in the prototype phase.
- Maximum number per team: 5
- Teams should contain at least one developer confident with gaming platforms
- Teams should have their own laptops and software to use
- The Challenge Lab is aimed at either early career, independent creatives of any age i.e. in latter years of study/in their first few years as professional artists/developers OR at creatives at any career stage with an idea to develop which is currently in very early stages of development.
What We’ll Provide:
- Dedicated space within Sheffield Hallam University’s Institute of Technology
- Access to the Institute’s Igloo Immersive Suite; a 360-degree shared VR learning and research space
- Expert advice/feedback sessions from a selection of Sheffield Hallam University’s academics and researchers in fields such as games development, graphics and motion design and immersive
- Confirmed technical expertise support and feedback will be available from:
- Recording of content created over the course of the Lab, in the Igloo Suite, as well as a film recording of teams demonstrating their experience in the Igloo
- Lunch for each team for the three days
- A dedicated pitch slot to present the film recording from the Igloo to the audience of industry attendees at the Alternative Realities Summit on Saturday 13 June, followed by constructive feedback from a panel and open networking
- £750 budget per team, for each team to cover teams’ travel, accommodation and production costs i.e. any additional equipment hires/purchase of software or licenses beyond your existing equipment
- Successful international applicants from countries in receipt of Official Development Assistance (list here) will be able to access additional funding above the £750 contribution for visas, travel and accommodation. International applicants should check visa processing times in line with the below schedule.
Application Process
Please complete this application form giving us as much information about your team and the project you’d like to work on.
Applications Open: Friday 17 April
Applications Close: Wednesday 29 April at 10am
Successful Teams Notified: Friday 8 May
Please email sophie.ignatieff@sheffdocfest.com to request flexibility on the application deadline due to the ongoing international conflict-based disruption, or with any questions about the application process.
This is a competitive selection process. Teams will be selected by representatives from Sheffield DocFest, Sheffield Hallam University and British Council.
Photo credit: Andy Brown
Storytelling in Gaming: Challenge Lab is supported by Sheffield Hallam University and British Council.
