Belfast XR Festival Unveils £200K Fund to Boost UK's Immersive Media Scene
The festival has launched a groundbreaking initiative to support underrepresented producers in the immersive media industry, offering financial, creative, and professional assistance.
Addressing the Gap in the UK's Immersive Media Ecosystem
Belfast XR Festival has unveiled a £200,000 fund to bridge a critical gap in the UK's immersive media landscape. The Amplify:XR Labs program aims to empower producers from diverse backgrounds and regions who have historically been underrepresented in immersive media.
A Comprehensive Support System
The program provides an extensive support package, including:
- Paid development time
- Travel and accommodation expenses
- Accessibility support for childcare or additional access needs
- A working stipend of £1772.80 per person and £5318 per team
- A three-day in-person residency in Belfast
- Masterclasses and workshops led by industry leaders
- One-on-one project mentoring from renowned XR producers
- Five days of rapid prototyping and creative technology support
- Invitation to a UK finance gap market and distribution event
Empowering New and Emerging Producers
The program welcomes applications from new and emerging producers of TV, film, and games who are creating narrative-led XR and immersive projects. Producers don't need to be XR experts but must demonstrate emerging status within their screen or creative practice. Projects should be intended for development in a narrative immersive format using XR technologies, with the goal of progressing towards production, market readiness, and distribution.
A Strategic Shift for Belfast XR Festival
Deepa Mann-Kler, the festival's director, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, 'I am absolutely delighted to launch Amplify:XR Labs. This program represents a strategic shift for Belfast XR Festival, moving beyond showcasing work to actively strengthening the UK's immersive ecosystem at its most critical point: early-stage producer development.'
Application Details
Applications for the program are now open and will close at 5 pm on February 6, 2026. Interested applicants can find more information and apply at belfastxrfestival.com. The selected projects will be announced the following week.
Meta's Recent VR Studio Closures
This funding announcement comes on the heels of Meta's decision to shutter three VR studios, Twisted Pixel Games, Sanzaru Games, and Armature Studio, following a 10% cut to its Reality Labs metaverse arm. The company's recent restructuring highlights the ongoing challenges and opportunities within the immersive media industry.
