Sheffield DocFest announces the launch of its Alternate Realities programme to open this year’s festival on 18 June at Sheffield’s Site Gallery. A cutting-edge immersive work, Collateral Echoes, is the centrepiece of this year’s Alternate Realities exhibition. From artist and filmmaker Baff Akoto, the powerful new installation commemorates the potential, personalities and memories of Black and Immigrant Britons disproportionately killed after police contact since 1969.

Collateral Echoes combines XR, moving image and immersive sound design to present first-person testimonies, archival imagery and performance. Including spoken prose from Paapa Essiedu and poetry by the late, great Benjamin Zephaniah, the exhibition memorialises those killed – and gives voice to the communities who survive them – in this exploration of nostalgia, loss, grief and joy.

This programme is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the British Film Institute Audience Projects Fund. Collateral Echoes premieres during Sheffield DocFest (18-23 June) and will remain open to the public until 13 July at Site Gallery.

Entrance to the Sheffield DocFest Alternatives Realities programme at Site Gallery is free and open to all.

sheffdocfest.com