A Santa’s eye view

Families can see the world from Santa’s sleigh in a 360-degree film showing at OTHERWORLD Byron Bay in the lead-up to Christmas.

Screening in the immersive art and light gallery’s state-of-the-art dome cinema, What Santa Sees takes the audience on a magical journey over the North Pole and through sparkling winter skies with his reindeer in tow.

“It actually looks at the constellations as Santa’s flying and how he uses the stars to find his way from country to country,” OTHERWORLD director Simon Richardson said. “He navigates through Orion’s Belt and the Big Bear and the Little Bear. So, there’s a little nod to science, but it’s all very fun and light and playful.”

Richardson, who is a former Byron Shire mayor, said the audience can lie back in comfortable beanbags and watch the movie unfold around them, but chairs are also available for those who prefer.

“You feel the motions when Santa’s flying through space and get more of a feeling of flight than you would in a normal film,” he said.

“We find that even little babies that are only just opening their eyes for the first time get quite mesmerised by the experience because it’s so immersive.”

Richardson said a visit to OTHERWORLD is an excellent wet weather option for families over the summer school holidays.

“On a rainy day it’s a no-brainer because there aren’t many different all ages things to do indoors in Byron, but there’s also only so many hours you want to be outside under the sun,” he said.

“It offers an opportunity to explore and be curious for an hour somewhere most people will find really different.”

What Santa Sees is screening alongside another short film, A Snowflake Adventure, throughout the day at OTHERWORLD until January 2, with viewing included in the ticket price.

For more information and tickets, head to otherworld.live