In 1914, polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton led one of history’s greatest stories of leadership and survival, the ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Over 100 years later we follow in the footsteps of Shackleton with Tim Jarvis AM, and ponder the question how much has the climate in Antarctica changed?

The world premiere of Thin Ice VR a Monkeystack and Shackleton Epic Expedition Production presented by Adelaide Film Festival and the South Australian Museum answers this very question. Supported by major partner Torrens University Australia, Environmental scientist Tim Jarvis AM has recreated Shackleton’s epic journey across South Georgia Island in an immersive virtual reality experience developed by award winning South Australian studio, Monkeystack.

Over a hundred years on we are now tackling a much larger, heartbreaking narrative: the icy environment that Shackleton and his peers once traversed has now been radically transformed by the effects of anthropogenic climate change. Using groundbreaking virtual reality techniques viewed in a specially designed experience at the South Australian Museum, audiences will join Jarvis and follow in Shackleton’s footsteps.

Director of the South Australian Museum, Brian Oldman says the Museum is thrilled to present the world premiere of Thin Ice VR at the South Australian Museum given its strong connection to Australian polar exploration.

“The South Australian Museum is home to a large collection of Australian Polar Collection items – 110,000 to be exact.”

“We are honoured to host the world premiere of this important film, respecting the accomplishments of Shackleton but also delving into the tragic issue that is facing our planet, climate change,” explained Brian.

Equal parts catastrophic and transcendent, Thin Ice VR presents a unique account of how humanity asserts its will over the extremes of nature – often in unforeseen ways.

The project would not have been possible without the Thin Ice VR major partner Torrens University Australia. The experience was financed and developed with the assistance of South Australian Film Corporation, Screen Australia, Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund and supported by Kathmandu, One Ocean Expeditions and Documentary Australia Foundation.

XR, Animation and Interactive Production Company Monkeystack developed this harrowing tale of survival and strength in their South Australian based studio.

A Monkeystack spokesperson explained,

“Thin Ice VR is a groundbreaking story of what makes us human, and the effect that being human can have on the environment. It is also a story told through art and science. We are extremely fortunate that our presenting partners, the South Australian Museum and Adelaide Film Festival can provide the perfect environment for people to engage and interact with this important story.”

This experience uses different types of immersive storytelling techniques, inviting viewers to experience VR at its most innovative and thrilling.

CEO and Creative Director of The Adelaide Film Festival Mat Kesting said: “The Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) enables new screen productions to be realised through its unique production investment fund.

“The Fund has assisted over 120 projects since inception, taking Australian stories to screens across the globe and achieving significant acclaim. Thin Ice VR is a highly anticipated work that AFF is proud to have supported.

“Thin Ice VR is a unique and urgent work of our time highlighting that humanity is literally walking on thin ice as a result of anthropogenic climate change,” Kesting said.

The Thin Ice VR season opens at the South Australian Museum on Saturday 20 November – Sunday 6 February. For more information visit: https://www.thinicevr.com/ Tickets on sale soon.