Shehani Fernando

Shehani Fernando

Immersive/XR director and filmmakerLondon, United Kingdom
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Shehani Fernando

Shehani Fernando

Immersive/XR director and filmmakerLondon, United Kingdom
About me
An award-winning immersive director and creative producer, I’ve worked with cutting-edge technologies from 3D scanning to motion capture and AR. My passion lies in storytelling at the intersection of tech, narrative and interactivity allowing viewers to have intimate and unforgettable experiences. I’ve generated ideas for a range of platforms and have managed all aspects of the production pipeline from pitching to delivery and working with multidisciplinary teams from creative technologists to sound designers. I also present and co-produce the StoryFutures Academy podcast, interviewing experts from across the immersive industry.
Projects
  • The Waiting Room VR
    The Waiting Room VRWhen Victoria Mapplebeck was diagnosed with breast cancer, she decided to record each step of her journey from diagnosis to recovery. The Waiting Room is an unflinching portrait of the blood, sweat and tears of cancer treatment told through 360 film and evocative reportage audio. The Waiting Room VR premiered at the Venice Film Festival and IDFA, where is won the coveted Digital Storytelling award.
  • Celestial Motion
    Celestial MotionInspired by the spectacular imagery of solar physics, Celestial Motion uses contemporary dance and motion capture technology to explore movement across human and astronomical scales. Working with Alexander Whitley Dance Company and creative technologist Luca Biada, this interactive experience for Google Daydream allows the user to switch between two cosmic worlds with both real dancers and motion captured ones. Premiered at HotDocs in Toronto. Available on Daydream, YouTube and coming soon to Vi
  • Limbo
    LimboThere are approximately 31,500 asylum seekers in the UK waiting for a decision about their asylum status. This film allows you to experience what it is like to live in this period of limbo, waiting for a decision that will affect the rest of your life. Narrated by actress Juliet Stevenson, this VR experience was made with 3D lidar scanning and photogrammetry techniques creating an otherworldly aesthetic that captures this disorientating period in asylum seekers' lives. It garnered accolades at
Work history
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    I
    Immersive Producer/DirectorIndigo Storm
    London, United KingdomFreelance
    I produce and direct non-fiction immersive projects through my production company Indigo Storm. We are currently in production with 'The Museum of Imagined Futures' - a VR experience touring libraries as part of Unboxed 2022. I've also been producing a new arts-based AR app for Factory 42. Previously, I produced 'The Waiting Room' VR which won IDFA's digital storytelling award and opened at the Venice International Film Festival.
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    Development ProducerStoryFutures Academy
     - Beaconsfield, United KingdomPart Time
    I managed some of SFA's immersive funding streams, ran training bootcamps and I also presented and co-produced The StoryFutures Academy Podcast interviewing leading industry figures (available on all platforms)
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Skills
  • Events
  • Film
  • TV
  • Visual Arts
  • Photojournalism
  • Multi-platform Content
  • Online
  • Editorial
  • News
  • Documentaries
  • Event Execution
  • Photoshop
  • Virtual Reality
  • Immersive Experience
  • 360 Experience
  • 360 Video
  • Abode Premiere
  • Immersive Design
  • Audio Content
  • Journalism
Education
    London College of Communication, UAL logo
    London College of Communication, UAL logo
    M.ALondon College of Communication, UAL
     - London, United Kingdom
    MA in photojournalism
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    C
    HistoryClare College, Cambridge University
     - Cambridge, United Kingdom
    BA in history, 2:1
Awards
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    T
    Best VR experience awardTransatlantyk film festival
    My VR experience 'Limbo' won best VR experience for most innovative storytelling at this festival in Poland
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    VR International Competition awardThessaloniki International Film Festival
    'Limbo' won the international competition award
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