RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK — Lenovo is using its own tech to showcase global social issues affecting women.

In partnership with Girl Up, the gender equality initiative of the United Nation Foundation (UNF), and filmmaker Ava DuVernay, the tech giant released New Realities — an artistic project blending filmmaking and virtual reality to produce immersive, first-person cinematic experiences.

Captured over the last four months, New Realities chronicles the individual journeys of 10 young women from around the world using technology to achieve their dreams.

Lenovo said the project’s concept was born here at its US headquarters in Morrisville. It gives each woman their own voice and shines a light on the role technology plays in furthering their missions — in Brazil, China, France, Germany India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the UK and the US.

Though the videos can be viewed on YouTube, they are designed to be viewed on VR headsets like Lenovo’s Mirage VR S3 headset.

In addition to the films’ chronicling the women’s missions, Lenovo – in partnership with Girl Up – is funding $100,000 in grants for these young women to pursue fields of study that align with their goals.

The protagonists have received mentorship through a newly created Global Ambassadors Program – featuring mentors from DuVernay’s team at ARRAY and access to resources from Lenovo, ARRAY, and Girl Up. Each also received tech gear.

“My colleagues at ARRAY and I created this mentorship as part of a vital effort to empower the next generation of women leaders,” DuVernay said.

“I applaud each of these young women for sharing their stories with the world through Lenovo’s New Realities. At such a pivotal time in our world’s history, it is imperative that we hold hands and march toward a more inclusive society where all are valued and embraced.”

ARRAY is a multi-platform media company and arts collective based in Los Angeles.

Founded in 2012 by filmmaker DuVernay, the company currently operates a trio of branded entertainment entities: ARRAY Releasing, ARRAY Filmworks and ARRAY Creative Campus in partnership with the non-profit cinema and social justice organization ARRAY Alliance.