Belfast XR Festival

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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.

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

11/05/2026

Continuing our cohort introductions…

Laura Wilkinson joins Amplify:XR Labs with The Nine Day Queen.

With extensive experience in narrative development and research-led storytelling, Laura brings depth and rigour into immersive exploration.

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

BFI

08/05/2026

Next in our Amplify:XR Labs 2026 series is Jo Lewis, joining with Treehouse.

Jo’s background in character-driven storytelling and collaborative production offers a strong foundation as they explores immersive form through the Lab.

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

BFI

06/05/2026

Next in our cohort spotlight is Humira Imtiaz, joining Amplify:XR Labs with The Kids are Halal.

Humira’s contemporary storytelling practice brings clarity and strong creative leadership into immersive development.

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

BFI

04/05/2026

Introducing Harry Silverlock, part of our inaugural Amplify:XR Labs cohort with Morphogenic Angels: Chapter 2 (Alchemy of Perspectives).

Harry’s work combines ambitious world-building with strong narrative foundations. Amplify:XR Labs offers space to expand that practice into immersive form.

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

01/05/2026

Welcome to Gavin Peden, joining Amplify:XR Labs with MANBOY.

Gavin works across narrative development and screen storytelling, bringing a strong story-first approach into immersive space. We’re looking forward to supporting his journey through the Lab over the coming months.

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

BFI

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Belfast

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

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