Symposium

Experience Shelter: A VR Documentary about Ukraine in an Underground Space

Vlad Niculescu-Dinca

Date: Monday 16 June 2025 - Friday 20 June 2025
Address: Schouwburgstraat
Schouwburgstraat 2
2511 VA The Hague
Room: Underground. Meeting point at the ground floor. A ‘Shelter’ sign will be installed.

!This VR documentary contains a brief moment of flashing light and emotionally charged scenes related to the impact of war. Please take care if you are sensitive to this content!

Shelter is a powerful and immersive VR documentary, directed by Sjors Swierstra (The Netherlands) and co-directed by Ivanna Khitsinska (Ukraine), that takes you inside the experience of seeking protection during air raids in wartime Ukraine. The documentary is shown in a specially built underground container, evoking the feeling of being in a real shelter.

The experience produced by Scopiclabs is designed to be viewed with a VR headset, either individually or in small groups. You’ll hear personal stories and encounter realistic soundscapes that offer a deeply moving perspective on everyday life during conflict. Headsets and noise-cancelling headphones are provided on-site to ensure full immersion.

This special on-campus screening is part of an international tour. Shelter has previously been shown at leading festivals such as SXSW and Docville, where it received acclaim for its emotional depth and innovative format. Click here for the Shelter video promotion.

This event will be part of the Just Peace Festival.

Registration

When you sign up, you’ll need to choose a time slot for entering the bunker. Various time slots are available between 16 and 20 June. Each slot lasts 45 minutes.