Close Encounters

" Witness Nature’s Drama Unfold "

Close Encounters is an 8K fulldome wildlife film that takes audiences on an immersive virtual safari, bringing them face-to-face with Africa’s most iconic animals. Directed by Telmo dos Reis and produced by VR Capture, it offers a unique perspective on nature and conservation through breathtaking visuals, spatial surround sound, and expert storytelling by ranger Shane Raw. Filmed in South Africa, the film captures intimate encounters, from a lion reaching for the camera to a herd of elephants surrounding the lens. Using cutting-edge technology and wildlife expertise, it delivers a powerful conservation message, highlighting the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems. Set for international distribution in planetariums and immersive theaters, Close Encounters brings the wonders of African wildlife to audiences worldwide.

Directed & Produced by
Telmo dos Reis

Filmed by
Telmo dos Reis
Samkelo Mahlalela
Sihle Makalima

Bayete Zulu Game Ranger
Julian Jackson

Copy Editor
Daniel Connor

Fulldome Post Production
VR Capture

Animation
Siemon Steyn
Gimbal Media

Spacial Audio design & Mix
Samkelo Mahlalela
MixelWave Audio

Written by
Shane Raw 
Telmo dos Reis

Field Audio Recording
Samkelo Mahlalela
Sihle Makalima

Bayala Lodge game Ranger
Chris Magee

Stock Footage
VR Capture
Deep VR

Video Editor
Telmo dos Reis

Fulldome VFX + Rotoscope
Sihle Makalima

Poster Design 
Anthea van Staden

Produced by
VR Capture

Featuring & Narrated by
Shane Raw

Production Coordinator
Jaclyn dos Reis

Photographers
Chantelle Meizer
Antony Cousins

Location
Manyoni Private Game Reserve
Babanago Game Reserve
Dayala Private Safari Lodges
Kwazulu Natal
South Africa

Color Grading
Michelle Wilson 
VRCapture

Telmo dos Reis

Director, Producer and Writter

Telmo dos Reis is a VR content creator with a deep passion for conservation. For over nine years, he has been crafting immersive experiences that blend storytelling with cutting-edge technology. One of his proudest achievements is “Exodus – The Great Migration,” a groundbreaking wildlife documentary made in 2016, that was among the first fully narrated cinematic VR experiences in the world. In 2019, he created “Close Encounters,” a series that explores the lives of animals like lions, elephants, and rhinos, aiming to cultivate appreciation for these creatures and their habitats. Another project close to his heart is “Sida Tsoatsoas,”  a full dome film where he combines live-action and animation to share the rich storytelling traditions of the ǂKhomani people, offering profound insights into human connections and the cosmos.