Film by the Sea 2026 Spotlights Immersive VR Lineup and Beach Experience ‘Passing On’

Film by the Sea has announced an expanded program of virtual reality and immersive experiences for its 28th edition, taking place from September 11 to 20 in Vlissingen and various satellite cities across Zeeland. The lineup spans interactive installations, sensory performances, and audio-visual art hosted at venues throughout the region.

Headlining the selection is Passing On, an interactive beach-based experience by Werkplaats Van de Woestijne. Following its run at Oerol, the production uses headphones and blindfolds to lead paired participants along the shore, using touch and sound to explore themes of mortality and connection in a “between world”.

The festival’s additional VR and installation offerings include:

• VR Silent Disco: Show Me the Light: A multiplayer XR experience from Studio Vrij, allowing guests to dance with avatars set to a track by Brass Rave Unit during the opening weekend.

• Nu: Reality on Tour: A cinema transformation presenting Naturally Immersive, a 360-degree VR program focusing on natural landscapes.

• LeVeN: A multi-person VR installation at Pathé Vlissingen where up to ten participants lie in egg-shaped structures to experience video projections, soundscapes, and physical vibrations.

• A Stranger Comes to Town: A video and surround-sound installation by Eefje Vaghi centered around a stranded whale in Westkapelle, running at the Maritiem MuZEEum Vlissingen.

About Film by the Sea

Film by the Sea is the fourth-largest film festival in the Netherlands and one of Zeeland’s most important annual cultural events. From September 11 to 20, 2026, the festival will celebrate its 28th edition. The festival puts a strong focus not only on film adaptations and French-language films, but also on films and documentaries from Zeeland. The Panorama section showcases the best new quality films of the moment.

For more information, visit the Film by the Sea’s official website.