The World Bank: FRANCIS - VR Film

Founded to rebuild economies and improve lives, the World Bank Group is not a traditional financial institution. It is a global development organization focused on reducing poverty and expanding human opportunity. In recent years, that mission has increasingly included mental health as a critical factor in economic and social wellbeing.

FRANCIS is an immersive 360° virtual reality film created to help bring global mental health into the mainstream. Premiering in Washington, D.C. during the World Bank Group and World Health Organization Spring Meetings, the film places viewers inside the isolation Francis Pii Kugbila endured, then carries them through his return to life. By using emotion and presence rather than data alone, the experience helped humanize an issue often discussed only in policy terms.

The story behind the film was later shared through a TEDx talk on empathy and immersive storytelling.

The story behind FRANCIS, and how immersive film can create empathy at scale.