Shaun Gladwell calls virtual reality "an empathy machine" for the way it can immerse viewers in characters' lives much more than a traditional film.

The acclaimed Australian artist is using his latest work in the format, Storm Riders, to show the lives of two young Muslim women who love skateboarding. It's a defiant expression of their individuality after growing up with bullying and prejudice in London.

And in keeping with his belief in virtual reality, Gladwell has a unique suggestion for an interview about the film and the VR program he has co-curated at the 65th Sydney Film Festival, which opens with the New Zealand comedy The Breaker Upperers on Wednesday night.

Both Gladwell in London and this reporter in Sydney will wear virtual reality headsets and meet in what's called the metaverse.

Inside a Mexican-themed online world, we will both be represented by avatars: Gladwell will be a wooden puppet ("old school Pinocchio" he calls it) and his team has chosen a futuristic cyborg crossed with a Power Ranger for me. And a - virtually - unique experience it turns out to be.