Etihad Airways virtual reality film starring Nicole Kidman wins 'Best Original Video' at 2016 APEX Awards

WAM -- Etihad Airways’ virtual reality film, starring Academy Award-winner Nicole Kidman, has won Best Original Video at the 2016 APEX Awards which were presented in Singapore this week.

The five-minute feature, ‘Reimagine’, takes viewers on a multi-sensory journey following Miss Kidman through an Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 on a virtual flight between Abu Dhabi and New York.

On board, the viewer encounters a number of characters including the actor, a film director and an opera singer. They also interact with a Savoy-trained Butler in The Residence, the airline’s exclusive private three-room cabin, an Onboard Chef in First Class, a Food and Beverage Manager in Business Class, and a Flying Nanny.

Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Peter Baumgartner, expressed his delight at the win. "Our aim with Reimagine was to tell the Etihad Airways story in a new and innovative way, using cutting-edge technology to immerse viewers in the guest experience in first-person.

"Its virtual reality format delivers an experience that’s as near as possible to flying in our A380, an outcome that traditional formats such as video simply could not achieve.

"We are immensely proud of the 2016 APEX Award for Best Original Video. It proves yet again that we’re leading the way in innovation, best practice and intelligent communication."

The film can be viewed by downloading the Reimagine VR app on iOS and Android at vr.etihad.com and using a virtual reality headset, such as Oculus Rift or Google Cardboard. It can also be viewed as a 360 degree video on Facebook and YouTube.

WAM/Ahlam/Moran