Oto’s planet _Gwenael François

The producer and artist, Gwenael François, is the creator of Oto’s Planet, a virtual reality installation that immerses us in an interactive story. The experience places us as omniscient spectators as we follow the attempts of communication and coexistence between two beings. The narrative is based on the story of Oto, a peaceful being who enjoys the tranquility of his tiny planet, resting in his hammock and savoring the fruits of his only tree. However, his calm is abruptly interrupted when Exo, a hyperactive and clumsy cosmonaut, crashes his ship, starting an unexpected coexistence full of misunderstandings and conflicts.

Throughout the story, the person interacting with the play recreates a key role, actively intervening to advance the story and shape the development of events. This experience seeks to entertain and invite reflection on universal issues such as the appropriation of territory, coexistence, and interconnectedness within a global ecosystem.

Gwenael François is a French-Luxembourg director, producer, and co-founder of Skill Lab in Luxembourg. He has directed short films and narrative video clips combining creativity and technology. In his work with virtual reality, he has developed interactive experiences such as Errances (2023) and Oto’s Planet (2024), which, during the Venice Biennale 2024, was the jury’s special prize. He has collaborated with artists and creators from different countries to bring immersive and experimental projects to life.