Catalan studio Univrse brings immersive Black Mirror experience to Cannes

Barcelona-based studio Univrse arrives at the Cannes Film Festival this Tuesday with The Black Mirror Experience, competing in the festival’s Immersive Competition.

Inspired by the universe of the hit series Black Mirror on Netflix, the project invites audiences into a futuristic interactive adventure in which viewers' decisions directly shape the outcome. 

It is a collaboration between the Barcelona-based company and Banijay Live Studio. 

Speaking in an interview with the Catalan News Agency (ACN), Univrse co-founder Frédéric Sanz said inclusion in the selection was a significant milestone. "In just four years the studio has come a very long way," he said.

An interactive dystopia

The Black Mirror Experience functions as an immersive episode within the dystopian world created by Charlie Brooker.

The original series – which first aired on Channel 4 in the UK before becoming one of Netflix's most popular productions – explores the dark side of technology and its often unsettling impact on human life.

Univrse builds on that premise, turning viewers into active participants in the narrative.

Visitors wear virtual reality headsets and enter a dystopian storyline in small groups. They are presented with a technology that could improve everyday life if gradually adopted by society.

But what initially appears beneficial quickly turns into a potential threat, forcing users to intervene as the story takes an unexpected turn.

The experience lasts around 60 minutes and is designed for participants aged 12 and over.

"We live in an attention economy," Sanz said, "and having our mind immersed in a single thing, without looking at our mobile phone or thinking about other topics, is very valuable."

Cannes Immersive Competition

The Black Mirror Experience is one of nine projects selected for the Immersive Competition at the Cannes Film Festival, alongside entries from countries including Portugal, Italy, South Korea and France. 

Created in 2024, the Immersive Competition focuses on a new generation of international artists redefining storytelling through virtual reality, mixed reality and other advanced technologies. 

Global expansion plans

After its Cannes debut, the experience will open to the public first in Montreal, followed by stops in cities including Madrid and New York.

The company also expects to bring the production to its home city of Barcelona "soon." 

Rapid international growth

Univrse was founded in 2022 in Barcelona’s Poblenou district by David Bardos and Frédéric Sanz.

In just over four years, it has established a strong international presence, with nearly five million viewers across around 20 countries and four continents engaging with its productions.

"There are many applications for virtual reality," Sanz said, "and I think that little by little it will become something normal."

He also highlighted the importance of work being done in Catalonia, particularly in Barcelona, which he says is at the forefront alongside companies in France and Canada.

"It is a very important place in terms of immersive technologies," he said.

Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival is screening seven Catalan productions at its 79th edition, which opens on Tuesday and runs until May 23 in the French city.