Baobab Studios has built quite the library of immersive experiences from sci-fi series Asteroids! and Invasion! to the colourful Crow: The Legend. Now the studio has revealed the first details for its next project, Baba Yaga, ahead of a special online festival in a couple of weeks.
The Emmy Award-winning studio will be bringing this Eastern European legend to life with inspiration from classic animation styles like 2D pop-up animation and stop-motion. Only the above poster has been revealed so far but Baobab Studios does note in a statement that “Baba Yaga blends theater, cinema, and animation into a unique experience that explores themes of empowerment and environmentalism.”
“Sometimes a force for evil, sometimes a force for good, the enigmatic witch Baba Yaga uses her powers to protect the forest from the villagers’ encroachment,” notes the synopsis. “When your mother, the village chief, falls deathly ill it is up to you and your sister Magda to do the unthinkable—enter the forest, uncover its hidden mysteries and get the cure from Baba Yaga.”
To get a first look at Baba Yaga you’ll need to register for the Annecy International Animation Festival’s 2020 Online edition. Baobab Studios will be holding a “Work in Progress” presentation at the start of the event on Monday 15th June.
The session will feature co-founders Maureen Fan (CEO), Eric Darnell (CCO) and Larry Cutler (CTO) as well as other team members. They’ll be discussing past projects, the studio’s philosophy, their approach to interactive filmmaking and of course a sneak peek at Baba Yaga.
“While we wish we could actually be in Annecy meeting up with all our friends in the industry to celebrate the best in animation this month, we’re so happy to participate in the festival’s online programming with this first look at what we’ve been up to at Baobab with our newest film, Baba Yaga, said Darnell.
In addition to that presentation the team will also participate in a live festival Q&A festival on 23rd June at 9am PST/6pm CEST.
Baobab Studios has released five projects to date – Invasion!, Asteroids!, Crow: The Legend, Bonfire and Jack – the first four available across a variety of headsets.
Baba Yaga is slated to arrive later this year. When further details are released, VRFocus will let you know.
