Founded in 2022, Belfast XR Festival (BXRF) is Northern Ireland’s leading festival dedicated to immersive storytelling and creative technology. Our ambition is to establish Belfast as a significant international destination for immersive culture, connecting Northern Ireland’s creative sector with artists, producers, festivals and industry partners across the world. Our annual, consistently sold-out festival showcases ambitious work spanning virtual and mixed reality, spatial audio, interactive storytelling and screen-based installations, bringing leading international creators together with emerging talent and local audiences.

Accessibility and participation sit at the heart of BXRF. We are committed to ensuring that innovation is not confined to established technology communities, creating opportunities for local audiences and new creative voices to experience, make and engage with emerging forms of storytelling. In 2026, BXRF significantly expanded its talent development role, delivering the £200,000 BFI-funded Amplify:XR Labs programme for emerging immersive producers across the UK.

As BXRF enters its next phase, our focus is increasingly international: building meaningful partnerships, creating opportunities for exchange and supporting immersive work and talent to move between Northern Ireland, the UK and international markets.

What is XR?

XR stands for "Extended Realities," a term that encompasses a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. These innovations are transforming how we interact with digital and physical worlds.

Is XR experience required to attend the festival?

Absolutely not! We welcome everyone, no matter their experience level. Our amazing team will be there to support and guide you every step of the way, starting from the moment you arrive.