- Films and events
- Expanded
- Laika
Immersive film
Laika
Employing striking VR animation, Asif Kapadia tells the story of Laika, the stray dog that the Soviet Union sent into orbit, in this exclusive LFF Expanded world premiere.
Book your timeslot to experience this in person at 26 Leake Street
-
Lead Artists
Asif Kapadia, Nick Abadzis
-
UK 2021. 15min
-
Production company
A BFI LFF and Storyfutures Academy co-presentation
-
Language
English
Where to watch
6 to 17 October, 11AM to 9PM, in person at 26 Leake Street
7 October, 1PM to 5PM,in person at BFI Southbank Studio
6 to 17 October, virtually at The Expanse, available for free internationally
Laika was the first living creature sent by humans into space. Overnight, an unwanted and unloved stray that had survived on the streets of Moscow became the most famous dog in the world. Adapted from Nick Abadzis’ eponymous 2007 graphic novel, Laika is a tragic tale of love, deep humanity and a mission that heralded a new age of information, technology and the race for military supremacy. This animated VR film by Academy Award, BAFTA and Grammy-winning director Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna, The Warrior) details Laika’s heartbreaking story, immersing audiences in its journey and the pivotal role it played in late 20th century world history.
Ulrich Schrauth
Age recommendation: 12+
-
Writers
Asif Kapadia, Nick Abadzis
-
Director
Asif Kapadia
-
Producers
Asif Kapadia, Rebecca Gregory-Clarke, Jack Arbuthnott
-
Executive Producers
Katie Grayson, Andrew Ruhemann, Debbie Crosscup, Jon Wardle
-
Animation Producer
Ioan Holland
-
Associate Art Director
Nick Abadzis
-
Associate VR Director
Dave Walker
-
Art Director
Yi Shen
-
Editor
Kingsley Bailey
-
VR Development
Vincent Warnke-Dherines
-
Sound Designer
Stephen Griffiths
-
Sound Mix
Oliver Kadel
-
Animation Production
Passion Animation Studios
-
Production Companies
Passion Pictures, Sheep Thief
-
With Sophie Okonedo, Tobias Menzies
-
Laika is a BFI London Film Festival Initiative. Presented by BFI, StoryFutures Academy, in association with Film4.

You may also enjoy

Samsara
Hsin-Chien Huang’s latest work will transport you through space and time, blowing your mind with extraordinary visualisations of human existence in an ecstasy of colour and form.

A Life in Pieces: The Diary and Letters of Stanley Hayami
Step into the wartime diary of a young Japanese-American teenager as he describes his internment during the Second World War, due to his ethnic background.

Only Expansion – Audio Walk
This immersive audio walk transforms the sounds and voices around you into a poetic environment that asks you to perceive the world anew.

Expanded
Step into a new dimension of storytelling with Immersive Art and Extended reality.
Find out moreHow to experience LFF Expanded
All the information you need to step into our immersive art and XR strand.
Find out more
BFI Membership
Become a BFI Member from £37 to enjoy priority Festival booking as well as other great benefits all year round.
Join today

Trailers and clips
A taste of what’s to come in the 65th BFI London Film Festival.
Watch clips and trailers