Trolls vs Elves is a web-based interactive documentary that explores Russian disinformation targeting Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Instead of presenting a single, didactic narrative, the project invites audiences to step into two contrasting roles: a Troll spreading chaos and conspiracy, or an Elf working to fact-check and defend the digital space.
By combining real data, curated content, and role-playing mechanics, the experience mirrors the dynamics of online propaganda while giving users agency to navigate it. The design draws on my PhD research at Royal Holloway, University of London, which investigates how gamified documentaries can foster critical thinking, broaden ideological reach, and strengthen digital resilience.
The project has been presented internationally, including at IDFA DocLab Forum (Amsterdam), m:brane (Malmö), and #NarrarElFuturo (Bogotá), and received awards such as Best Web/New Media Project at Art Experimental Screenings – Fresh Stream (2024) and Best Film Exploring the Impact of Social Media at CineTech Future Fest (2024).
A new version of Trolls vs Elves has also been developed as a three-screen installation, with monitors synced to create an expanded narrative space. Using an Arduino system, it introduces physical props and interactive elements that extend from the digital i-doc into the exhibition environment, making the experience more immersive and tangible.
More than a documentary, Trolls vs Elves is a design experiment – exploring how immersive and game-inspired storytelling can make complex issues like disinformation not only understandable, but felt.
Watch: https://trolls-vs-elves.com