South Africa celebrates a bold new frontier in immersive storytelling with the reopening of the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome (WAADD) in Johannesburg—now Africa’s most advanced immersive theatre. Formerly known as the Johannesburg Planetarium, this newly upgraded venue is redefining the landscape for fulldome experiences on the continent. With a blend of state-of-the-art technology, visionary programming, and a commitment to showcasing local creativity, WAADD is poised to become a beacon for immersive media enthusiasts and planetarium audiences alike.
At the heart of this renaissance is the venue’s mission to provide a deeply emotional, all-encompassing experience that transports viewers into extraordinary environments. “The scale is everything,” says Telmo dos Reis, director of the South African-made fulldome film Close Encounters, which is set to premiere at WAADD. “Lions appear at eye level. Elephants tower above you. The experience is deeply emotional — it places you inside the wild, without the danger.” These words capture not only the power of the film but also the transformative potential of the Digital Dome itself.
WAADD embodies a vision of immersive storytelling that marries technology with conservation storytelling, creating a platform that speaks to both awe and responsibility. As dos Reis highlights, “We want people to walk out of the dome with a sense of awe — and a sense of responsibility.” This encapsulates the venue’s broader ambition: to engage audiences in meaningful narratives that transcend traditional viewing and embed them within impactful experiences.
Technologically, WAADD stands out with its 8K projection system coupled with advanced surround sound, delivering crystal-clear visuals and dynamic audio that envelop the audience fully. This level of technological sophistication places the Digital Dome at the forefront of fulldome venues worldwide, competing with some of the most cutting-edge planetariums globally. The fully immersive 360-degree projection creates a seamless environment that breaks down barriers between viewer and subject, making space for new forms of interaction and emotional connection.
The architectural evolution of the venue respects its planetarium heritage while infusing it with fresh design thinking that prioritizes comfort and visual engagement. Though the specific seating capacity blends intimacy with accessibility, the upgraded facility promises a viewing experience where every seat is considered prime. Programming at WAADD reflects a balanced blend of educational, artistic, and conservation-centered content, setting it apart from many traditional planetariums which often focus predominantly on astronomy or science education. Moreover, the venue’s active collaboration with local creators, such as VR Capture, a pioneering South African immersive media studio, exemplifies its role as catalyst for domestic artistic innovation.
On the global stage, WAADD’s rise underscores a broader trend within the fulldome and immersive media fields toward inclusive storytelling and technology democratization. By supporting projects like Close Encounters, which employ live-action fulldome filming—a technique mastered by very few studios worldwide—the venue champions innovation and positions South Africa as a key player in this evolving artistic domain. This not only expands exhibition opportunities for local and international creators but also enriches the fulldome ecosystem with fresh perspectives rooted in African landscapes and conservation narratives.
Importantly, WAADD’s presence enhances accessibility to immersive experiences within underserved communities, amplifying outreach efforts and educational programming that inspire the next generation of creators, scientists, and conservation advocates. In doing so, it fills a critical gap in the global immersive arts and sciences network by centering African stories and technological leadership.
As the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome ushers in this exciting chapter, it stands as a luminous example of how fulldome venues can evolve beyond traditional planetary sciences to embrace powerful storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and vibrant cultural engagement. For planetarium directors, immersive media creators, and educators worldwide, WAADD offers a compelling model of how immersive spaces can become incubators of innovation, conservation awareness, and shared human experience—one eye-level lion and towering elephant at a time.
Originally reported by via www.wits.ac.za on 2025-09-29 05:05:00.
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