SXSW 2024 Exclusive First Look: The Creative Team of ‘The Imaginary Friend’ Takes Us Behind the Scenes of Their Show-Stopping VR Experience

SXSW (South by Southwest) is an annual celebration where technology, music, film, and interactive media converge. In recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) has grown in popularity and become a staple of the SXSW experience, reflecting the cutting-edge trends in technology and the evolution of storytelling.

Amidst the myriad offerings of this year’s SXSW, one gem shines brightly in the spotlight selection: The Imaginary Friend. Within its narrative, a grieving child grapples with the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. Within this delicate balance, the child conjures you–their (imaginary) friend–to combat the monsters haunting their mind. While moments of joy and camaraderie ensue, a poignant question lingers: Are you truly aiding the child, or inadvertently exacerbating their turmoil?

Co-developers Frank Bosma and Paul Staring, producer Corine Meijers, and animator Demian Albers have provided us with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how they brought the universe of The Imaginary Friend to life.

If you’re one of the lucky few attending this year’s SXSW, make your way to the Fairmont Hotel and experience The Imaginary Friend for yourself!