From Dust, the virtual reality opera by Michel van der Aa, has won the Immersive Competition at the 78th Festival de Cannes.
The Jury of the Immersive Competition of the 78th Festival de Cannes presented on 22 May 2025 the Best Immersive Work Award to From Dust, recognizing a creation that pushed the boundaries of storytelling, art space, and audience engagement. This year’s official selection featured 9 in competition.
The Jury, chaired by French director Luc Jacquet included American musician, director and writer Laurie Anderson, French author and performer Tania de Montaigne, British director, screenwriter, and artist Martha Fiennes and Japanese video game creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi. Together, they explored a selection that invited viewers into immersive worlds where technology and feelings intersect.
From Dust transcends traditional opera, transporting visitors to a new dimension of immersive storytelling and personalized art. It was made in collaboration with vocal ensemble Sjaella. In this 24-minute experience, the boundaries between reality and identity, between audience and work of art, are blurred. Visitors enter a 360-degree installation space that responds to movements and touches, and takes shape in real time with the help of AI control – an interaction in which worlds are created, a protagonist and five alter egos which are gradually detached from her are explored, and new stories emerge along the way.
In From Dust, opera is reformed into a deeply personal journey. This work invites the exploration of identity through an opera experience that adapts to each visitor, challenging traditional boundaries while honouring the emotional essence of opera.
From Dust was commissioned by De Doelen, with support of Het Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie, Nederlands Filmfonds, Fonds Podiumkunsten, and the Holland Festival. In the Netherlands, From Dust can be experienced during the Holland Festival between 13 and 29 June.
