September 16, 2015 (Toronto, ON) -

It's a virtual fact. Virtual reality devices are continuously evolving and will soon become household items. Corporations have taken notice the potency of the emerging technologies. Giants like Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Samsung, Sony, Yahoo and others are dedicating significant research and development dollars to tap into the possibilities of virtual reality.

Consumer devices have already hit the market and the VR enthusiast community and developers are growing to fuel demand. Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR and Google Cardboard are current offerings that are introducing VR to the masses.

One of the immediate applications of Virtual Reality is the production of films for a realistic and immersive 360 degree experience.

Enter FIVARS. The Festival of International Virtual and Augmented Virtual Reality stories is a Toronto exhibit of virtual reality films, the first of its kind in Canada. The two day festival will be held at UG3 Live on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20. The 77 Peter Street location is a short walk away from the TIFF lightbox and film enthusiasts.

FIVARS is the collaboration of VR enthusiasts Keram Malicki-Sanchez and Joseph Ellsworth, each with VR demo experience in VRTO and VAR Showcase respectively. Their passion to present VR to the masses is contagious and despite all the technology, it is the audience experience and reaction that matters most to them.

Attendees will each wear a Samsung Gear VR headset and will have 19 innovative stories to select from, ranging from feel good 3D animations to creepy and haunting horror stories. Viewers can select any combination of films up to a total running time of 30 minutes.

After enjoying an advance preview, the Virtual Reality story experience is highly recommended and will appeal to the human senses of wonder and anticipation.

BIG BEAR, by Centromer Films, is an animated story that interprets the origins of the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor constellations as described by Native Peoples. The story was originally produced for a planetarium experience and translated perfectly into a virtual film.

LOVr, an Immersive production, can be best described as a textual and graphical story powered by a roller coaster that takes the viewer through all the senses that a budding love generates. You've never read a story like this one.

When you feel ready to test your wits, try the DimensionGate 360 offering called DISMEMBER. This experience will be one to 'stand out'.

Advance tickets are available on Eventbrite for $10 and $15 at the door. This is a 19+ event.

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fivars-festival-of-internationa…