Belfast XR Festival

Supporting XR storytelling with Amplify:XR Labs – a BFI-funded development programme for film, TV & games producers exploring immersive fiction.

Belfast XR Festival (BXRF) is an annual gathering for the XR arts - storytelling, visual arts, music, drama, dance, literature and theatre. It showcases a rich selection of experiences from creators working at the forefront of XR which includes 360 film, interactive virtual and augmented reality and screen based installations. BXRF highlights the enormous diversity and vibrancy of the ever-growing

international immersive and expanded realities arts scene, from high-profile international filmmakers who are experimenting with new technologies, to new works from some of the most exciting emerging talent in the field. Each year’s programme will consider specific pertinent issues of our time from a hugely diverse range of perspectives and art forms.

25/08/2026

When the Amplify:XR Labs cohort came into the programme, they arrived with ideas, instincts and ambition. They leave it with fully developed project asset packs, prototypes, a network of industry contacts and a much clearer sense of how their projects can find their place in the world. Hearing them reflect on where their projects were before the programme and where they stand now is a reminder of what dedicated, expert-led development support can do for emerging XR talent across the UK.

Here's to the road ahead for every one of them.

Amplify:XR Labs is delivered by Belfast XR Festival through the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund, made possible with National Lottery Good Cause funding, in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen and Arts Council of Northern Ireland, with support from Digital Catapult and Nerve Centre.

20/08/2026

We caught up with some of the first-ever Amplify:XR Labs cohort at our recent industry market event to hear about their experience on the programme and what they would say to anyone just starting out in the world of XR. Their advice was well worth hearing for anyone considering taking the leap into immersive production.

Amplify:XR Labs is delivered by Belfast XR Festival through the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund, made possible with National Lottery Good Cause funding, in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen and Arts Council of Northern Ireland land, with support from Digital Catapult and Nerve Centre.

18/08/2026

Yesterday, the Amplify:XR Labs cohort brought their projects and their passion to BFI Stephen Street, and the room responded in kind.

The conversations were rich, the connections were real, and what we witnessed was a glimpse of what the next generation of UK XR talent is capable of. There is a lot more to come from this group, and we will be watching every step of the way.

Amplify:XR Labs is delivered by Belfast XR Festival through the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund, made possible with The National Lottery Good Cause funding, in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen and Arts Council of Northern Ireland, with support from Digital Catapult and Nerve Centre.

17/08/2026

We're live at BFI Stephen Street and the Amplify:XR Labs industry market event is underway. Ten producers from across the UK, thirteen industry delegates, and a full day of presentations, conversations and connections ahead of us!

Amplify:XR Labs is delivered by Belfast XR Festival through the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund, made possible with nationallotterygoodcauses funding, in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, with support from Digital Catapult and nerve_centre.

23/06/2026

⚠️ Important update: tomorrow's Amplify:XR Labs XR Market Event in London has been postponed due to red weather warnings affecting travel across the capital.

The safety of our cohort, delegates and partners comes first. We're working with BFI to reschedule and will share the new date as soon as it's confirmed.

More soon. 📅

03/06/2026

Every project in the Amplify:XR Labs cohort gets dedicated development support and access to an experienced XR technologist.

Gavin Peden and the team behind 'Manboy' recently sat down in Belfast with Josh McAvoy at Aura Studios to work through how their project takes shape in immersive space.

We can't wait to see all of our inaugural cohort showcase their work to the industry very soon!

25/05/2026

The team behind More Tales By Moonlight, led by Nneka Iwunna Ezemezue, recently headed to London for a development session with Josh McAvoy at Aura Studios.

Together, they worked through the creative vision for More Tales By Moonlight — exploring how XR technologies can help bring the project to life and carving out a clearer path forward for the work.

This is exactly what Amplify:XR Labs is here for — connecting emerging XR talent with the expertise and creative thinking that helps ambitious projects take shape.

Watch this space. 👀

Amplify:XR Labs is supported by the 's Creative Challenge Fund, awarding National Lottery funding, in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen , Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Immersive Arts UK and Digital Catapult.

18/05/2026

Rounding our our Amplify:XR Labs 2026 series is Rory Friers, joining with Forest Floor.

With a background in interdisciplinary storytelling and collaborative practice, Rory brings a distinctive creative perspective into XR. It’ll be exciting to see how that evolves through the Lab.

Meet the full cohort at: https://www.belfastxrfestival.com/amplifyxrlabs-announcement

BFI

15/05/2026

Welcome to Pinny Grylls, joining Amplify:XR Labs with EXIT MEATSPACE.

Pinny brings experience in innovative storytelling and creative production, exploring how experimentation and structure can meet in immersive work. We’re looking forward to supporting her journey through the Lab over the coming months.

Meet the full cohort at: https://www.belfastxrfestival.com/amplifyxrlabs-announcement

BFI

13/05/2026

Continuing our introductions…

Nneka Iwunna Ezemezue joins Amplify:XR Labs 2026 with More Tales By Moonlight.

With a strong grounding in storytelling craft and audience connection, Nneka brings both ambition and narrative discipline into XR.

Meet the full cohort at: https://www.belfastxrfestival.com/amplifyxrlabs-announcement

BFI

Address

Belfast

Website

http://www.belfastxrfestival.com/, https://bit.ly/BelfastBeats

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