The immersive experience KATÁBASIS, directed by Ugo Arsac, has won the Best Immersive Work award at the Immersive Competition of the Festival de Cannes 2026, establishing itself as one of the year’s most remarkable XR productions.

Presented at the iconic Hotel Carlton in Cannes as part of the festival’s official immersive selection, KATÁBASIS stood out for its combination of virtual reality, large-scale audiovisual projection, and interactive storytelling. The work transports viewers into New York’s hidden underground world, built from real scanned locations and authentic testimonies.

The experience offers a fully interactive and personal format: each participant is free to choose their own path through the virtual environment, creating a unique journey every time. This open and sensory-driven approach was among the aspects most praised by both the jury and audiences during the 2026 edition of the competition.

Following the announcement of the Best Immersive Work award, the festival organized two special encore screenings on May 22, giving additional attendees the opportunity to experience the winning production.

The Cannes Immersive Competition has become one of the leading international platforms dedicated to XR works, virtual reality, and hybrid narratives, bringing together projects that push beyond the boundaries of traditional cinema and explore new forms of immersive storytelling.