Shanghai Film Technology Factory has produced New World: Floating City, a live-action interactive VR film, with Weimo Technology and Shanghai Film Park as co-producers. Shooting began with an opening ceremony at Shanghai Film Park on 9 September 2026 and wrapped on 16 September. The film is designed for seated viewing in ordinary cinemas rather than free-roam VR, and puts its emphasis on narrative and character emotion.
Viewers make choices through hand recognition on the playback device, which leads to branching story paths and multiple endings. Weimo Technology's CEO describes the interaction as restrained, with no game-like tasks: every branch rests on understanding the character. The producers say the aim is a sense of having lived a chosen life, which they expect to raise repeat viewing.
Production
The film was shot with a Blackmagic Design 16K 3D camera system capturing 180-degree images, with 360-degree AI panoramic completion planned in post-production so viewers can see the scene behind them. Panoramic sound is part of the production. Reporting on the shoot put the crew at more than 100 people, and described the work as one continuous take, which the lead actor said demands different physical performance from conventional film acting.
Release plans
The producers plan a running time of about 40 minutes, or 60 minutes of experienceable content counting all branches and endings. Launch is tentatively set for the next Spring Festival season, and a cinema release licence is to be sought. The first flagship experience centre will be the Shanghai Film Park Grand Theatre, which is being converted into a seated VR hall. Standardized rollout options are planned for commercial cinemas, cultural-tourism complexes and commercial spaces. Shanghai Film Group is also developing a lightweight way to convert ordinary cinema halls into VR halls, using self-developed VR seats and sound system changes.
