News

CULTVR is celebrating its 7th birthday, marking seven years since opening its doors in Cardiff in 2019 as the UK’s first permanent immersive arts centre.

Over the past seven years, CULTVR has grown into a unique creative hub for immersive arts, bringing together artists, musicians, filmmakers, technologists and audiences to explore new ways of experiencing culture through fulldome cinema, live XR immersive performances, spatial sound and digital art.

Since opening, CULTVR has welcomed over 150,000 visitors and presented an ambitious programme ranging from international immersive productions and live music to artist residencies, festivals, workshops, education programmes and experimental new work.

The venue has also become an important platform for artists to develop and showcase immersive work. Through programmes including Catalyst 360º and CULTVR Academy, CULTVR has supported emerging and established creatives while creating opportunities for audiences in Wales to experience work that would otherwise rarely be presented in the country.

CULTVR’s reach now extends far beyond Cardiff. Immersive productions developed by the team and its collaborators have been presented internationally, while CULTVR has built creative partnerships across the UK and internationally, helping connect Wales with a rapidly growing global immersive arts sector.

At the heart of CULTVR remains its 12-metre immersive dome, alongside a range of spaces and technologies for immersive production, exhibition, education and R&D. Seven years on, the centre continues to provide a dedicated home in Wales where artists can experiment with emerging technologies and audiences can encounter new forms of storytelling and live performance.

Ishmael Ensemble performing in CULTVR.

Janire Nájera, Director and Co-founder of CULTVR, said:

“Reaching seven years is a really important milestone for us. When we opened CULTVR in 2019, immersive arts were still relatively unknown to many audiences, and there were very few permanent spaces in the world where artists could experiment with these formats.

“Seven years later, we have welcomed thousands of people through our doors, supported many artists and seen work developed here travel internationally. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved, particularly as an independent organisation, and very grateful to all the artists, audiences, partners, funders and collaborators who have been part of the journey.”

To mark the anniversary, CULTVR will host a special 7th Birthday Party on Saturday 12th of September 2026, bringing together some of the artists and collaborators who have been part of its creative community.

The celebration will feature Lose Yourself to Dance from Cardiff, Movement 81 from Swansea and Rito Digital, connecting Santiago de Chile and Barcelona, for an evening of DJs, live performance, dancing and immersive 360° visuals.

As CULTVR enters its eighth year, the organisation is looking ahead to the next chapter: continuing to support artists, develop new immersive productions, strengthen international collaborations and ensure audiences in Wales have access to some of the most innovative forms of digital and immersive culture.

Alma Digital presenting Neurocosm as part of Catalyst 360º.

The first XR residency programme in Wales, Catalyst 360º, returns with its biggest season yet featuring a series of residencies, live XR showcases and an Open Day.

CULTVR Lab announces the 2026 edition of Catalyst 360º, Wales’s first XR residency programme, returning for a new season after launching in 2021. Since opening its doors seven years ago, CULTVR Lab has played a leading role in supporting local and international immersive and digital artists to develop and present new work. Building on this legacy, the 2026 edition of Catalyst 360º will be its biggest programme to date. Following an open call that attracted over 300 applications from artists, collectives and organisations across 55 countries, Catalyst 360º 2026 will present:

• 3 – Immersive arts residencies
• 6 – Live XR showcases
• 0 – A zero barrier public engagement programme

Supported for the third time by the Arts Council of Wales, Catalyst 360º continues to champion immersive storytelling and technological experimentation by offering artists the opportunity to research, develop and present new work using CULTVR Lab’s world-leading specialist facilities. The residencies will provide space, technical support and resources for artists pushing the boundaries of immersive art forms.

Alongside the residencies, a selection of Wales-based artists and organisations will premiere original XR works in CULTVR’s dome space. These live presentations will invite audiences into bold new creative worlds while encouraging dialogue between artists, communities and the wider public.

Rooted in Grangetown, CULTVR Lab remains committed to making immersive arts accessible to all. The 2026 programme will also include workshops, artist talks, open rehearsals, and guided tours designed to welcome new audiences into the world of XR and immersive performance.

A free Community Open Day will take place on the 10th August 2026, giving the public the chance to explore the arts centre, experience immersive artworks and meet the artists behind the programme.

“We’re incredibly proud to launch the 2026 edition of Catalyst 360º and continue building opportunities for artists working in immersive forms,” said Matt Wright, Artistic Director of CULTVR Lab. “This year’s programme reflects the scale of creativity happening both here in Wales and internationally, while staying rooted in our commitment to access, experimentation and community connection.”

Selected Projects for Catalyst 360º 2026:

• 31st July: Spectral Lures by Carlos Serrano / A haunting and transformative experience that blurs the line between the natural and artificial, questioning not only what we see, but how we perceive.
• 7th August: Sunrise in Other Worlds by Squidsoup / An abstract immersive installation and performance imagining the sunrise and sunset cycles of alien worlds, transporting audiences across distant terrains.
• 21st August: Hope Immersive by The Blackout / Celebrating their 15th anniversary with a high-energy live performance reflecting both their legacy and forward-looking approach to music.
• 11th September: Land Empathy by Richard Chappell Dance / A contemporary dance performance inspired by the climate crisis, exploring how movement can deepen emotional and spiritual connections to the natural world.
• 18th September: Mindset by Natalie Roe and Beth Lewis / An immersive experience combining real-time sound spatialisation, moving musicians, 360º visuals and live visual manipulation.
• 25th September: Dying and Rising by Celyn of Gwent / A live audiovisual performance blending electronic music, live voice, sound-reactive visuals and poetic monologues.
• 30th October: Give Us Dance by Krystal S. Lowe, IKAMBA, and Onismo Muhlanga / An immersive encounter of sound, movement, and imagery designed to inspire wellbeing, foster connection and dissolve the boundaries of traditional performance.
• 13th November: Uncanny Valley by Georgia Ruth / A visual and musical house tour of her forthcoming album, where the familiar begins to feel strange and comfort is shadowed by unease.
• 14th November: Special immersive showcase by Teddy Hunter / A reimagined live performance for the dome, blending ambient electronics, live vocals, 360º visuals and full-band instrumentation.

For the 2026 edition, audiences can purchase a Catalyst 360º Pass, offering access to all nine public showcases across the season. Created for audiences eager to experience the full breadth of the programme, the pass provides access to all the shows providing exceptional value and the opportunity to explore a diverse range of immersive performances, installations and live XR events throughout Catalyst 360º.

The latest fulldome film by Welsh studio 4Pi Productions, The Rift, has just been awarded Grand Prize in the dome competition at the NewImages Festival in Paris, one of the leading international festivals dedicated to immersive and XR storytelling. This recognition marks a major milestone in the film’s international journey following its world premiere at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in November 2025.

The Rift combines contemporary dance, immersive sound and visuals, with water serving as the unifying element throughout the experience. Featuring the music Mvura by Mary Anibal, remixed by NO SHAPE, the film presents four dancers performing a shared choreography across diverse locations in Zimbabwe, embodying the tension, resilience and interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world under the pressures of climate change.

The film is the fifth work in the Dance Dome platform developed by 4Pi Productions since 2012, with support from Coreo Cymru and the Arts Council of Wales. The project has toured internationally, with installations in cities including Macau, Hammerfest (Norway), Edinburgh, Oxford and across Wales. A key milestone came in 2019 when the Dance Dome represented the UK alongside the London Symphony Orchestra and Akram Khan at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s 30th anniversary celebrations.The films have been screened at major immersive venues worldwide including the Morrison Planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Museum Victoria’s Melbourne Planetarium, the Charles C. Gates Planetarium in Denver, and festivals from Buenos Aires to Mauritius.

The Rift is the result of a UK–Zimbabwe collaboration developed through XR Labs, bringing together immersive arts studio 4Pi Productions (Wales), Matamba Film Labs and AfriKera Arts Trust in Harare (Zimbabwe). The production, supported by the British Council’s International Collaboration programme, combined artistic creation with skills development, providing training opportunities for a cohort of emerging female creatives known as the “Future Femmes,” coordinated by Matamba Film Labs. 4Pi Productions delivered the training, enabling essential knowledge transfer in XR technologies and 360° filmmaking and equipping participants with new tools to tell their own stories within the immersive medium.

The film premiered as part of the DocLab Exhibition at IDFA 2025, where it attracted strong audience engagement and industry interest. Since then, The Rift has continued to build momentum on the international festival circuit and previously received a Jury Commendation at the Dome Under Festival in Melbourne, Australia, in February 2026.

“This recognition is an incredible honour for the entire team behind the project,” said Janire Najera, Creative Director of 4Pi Productions. “This film was built through genuine collaboration between artists in Wales and Zimbabwe and seeing audiences respond so strongly to it has been incredibly rewarding.”

The screening at NewImages Festival took place at the Planétarium at Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in Paris last week. NewImages Festival 2026 brings together artists, producers, technologists and cultural institutions from around the world. The festival showcases innovative virtual reality, augmented reality and fulldome experiences, alongside industry talks, exhibitions, and networking opportunities. It serves as a key platform for presenting groundbreaking immersive works and fostering new collaborations across the global XR community. This was the first year that NewImages included the fulldome format in competition, so this prize is the first ever given out by the festival for fulldome work.

Winning the Grand Prize at NewImages further strengthens The Rift’s presence within the global immersive arts landscape and opens new opportunities for touring, exhibition and international partnerships. The Rift continues its festival journey with additional screenings and selections to be announced in the coming months.

4Pi Productions is currently working on the 6th film for the Dance Dome platform. The new production in collaboration with Northern Ballet and Oxford University’s Schwarzman Centre transforms The Nutcracker into an immersive experience, soundtracked by the BBC Concert Orchestra. It’s set to premiere in December 2026.

CULTVR Lab (Cardiff) and the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT Montreal) are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formalises a new international partnership dedicated to cultural exchange, innovation and the advancement of immersive and fulldome arts.

This strategic collaboration brings together two leading organisations committed to pushing the boundaries of immersive creation. By strengthening cultural ties between Wales and Québec, the partnership establishes a framework for long-term cooperation focused on co-creation, professional development, and the global dissemination of immersive works.

Founded in 1996, the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) in Montréal has been a leading force in immersive arts and digital culture for decades. SAT’s iconic Satosphère, inaugurated in October 2011 as one of the world’s first permanent immersive modular theatres dedicated to artistic creation and visualisation, has served as a key hub for experimentation, production, and exhibition in fulldome and immersive media.

CULTVR Lab, located in Cardiff, Wales, was founded in 2019 becoming the UK’s first immersive arts centre supporting creation across fulldome presentations, XR live performance, digital arts and cross-disciplinary collaboration with a strong focus on education and international exchange.

“This agreement reflects our shared belief that immersive arts thrive through collaboration and exchange. By bridging Québec and Wales, SAT and CULTVR Lab are building a living framework for co-creation, experimentation, and the international circulation of immersive works, while supporting the next generation of artists shaping the future of fulldome and immersive practices.” Jenny Thibault, Director of SAT Montreal.

Under the MOU, CULTVR Lab and SAT will work collaboratively to support artists, technologists, and cultural practitioners through a range of initiatives. These include joint co-creation programmes, artist residencies, training workshops, and knowledge-exchange activities designed to share best practices in immersive technologies, storytelling and audience engagement.

“This agreement reflects a shared vision for the future of immersive arts,” says Janire Najera, Director of CULTVR. “By combining our expertise and networks, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for artists and creators while contributing to the global evolution of immersive and XR practices.”

Key objectives of the partnership include fostering cross-cultural collaboration, advancing innovation in immersive creation, supporting skills development, and broadening access to immersive works through exhibitions, festivals, and online platforms in Wales, Québec, and internationally. The MOU also opens the door for joint funding applications to national and international bodies, helping to sustain and scale collaborative projects.

The Memorandum of Understanding was formalised in Montreal on the 27th of March 2026. Through this agreement, CULTVR Lab and SAT Montreal reaffirm their commitment to building inclusive, forward-looking cultural ecosystems that empower creators and expand the reach of immersive arts worldwide.

Photos by Camille Gladu-Drouin and Alexandra Kukuc.

CULTVR is proud to host the third edition of Immersive Labs / Labos Immersifs, an international co-creation programme dedicated to immersive audiovisual practices. The programme will culminate in a public presentation on Friday 20th of February 2026, offering audiences a rare glimpse into the collaborative development of a new fulldome work-in-progress between artists from Wales and Quebec.

Originally developed by AADN – Arts et Cultures Numériques (Lyon, France), Immersive Labs is a hybrid programme positioned between an artistic residency, a hackathon and an accelerated training lab. It is designed to foster experimentation, knowledge exchange and collaboration between artists working across visual arts, music, sound design and interactive media. This exchange has benefited from the support of the Government of Quebec and the Welsh Government to foster cross-cultural collaboration in digital arts.

Following its 2025 edition hosted by the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) in Montréal, bringing together artists and partners from France, Canada, Taiwan, Brazil and Wales, the programme returns in 2026 with CULTVR as its host venue in Cardiff.

Over the course of five intensive days, a selected group of international artists will work collaboratively to co-develop an original immersive audiovisual piece for fulldome environments. Participants will explore creative methodologies, share technical and artistic expertise, attend masterclasses, and receive mentorship from experts in immersive creation including a visit to BBC Wales studios. Working in small teams after an initial collective brainstorming phase, artists will prototype new immersive narratives and experiences within CULTVR Lab.

The programme concludes with a public showcase, inviting audiences to discover the creative process behind immersive works and engage directly with the artists through presentations and discussion.

Immersive Labs 2026 is a collaboration between Society for Arts & Technology and CULTVR. The artists taking part in this edition are: Benedicte and Milo Reinhardt (Quebec) and Teddy Hunter, Mark Eaglen, Nick Feldman, Natalie Roe, Nic Finch, Jasper Golding and Adam Martin (Wales).

PUBLIC PRESENTATION

Immersive Labs 2026 – Work in Progress Showcase

Friday 20 February 2026
18:30 – 20:30
📍 CULTVR, Cardiff, Wales (UK)

Schedule
17:30 – Doors open
18:30 – Welcome & presentations (SAT, CULTVR, partners)
19:00 – Project introductions, artist presentations & Q&A
20:30 – Closing networking session

🎟 Free access with RSVP – limited capacity

CULTVR launches Wales’ first 360º d&b audiotechnik Soundscape system, expanding immersive performance possibilities

CULTVR, the UK’s leading venue for immersive arts and live music, has installed Wales’ first permanent d&b audiotechnik Soundscape system, introducing a new era of spatial audio and 360º experiential design to the region, thanks to support from Creative Wales.

Since opening in 2019 as the UK’s first immersive arts centre, CULTVR has positioned Cardiff as a key destination for XR and live performance. Independently founded and operated, the venue continues to pioneer technologies that redefine how audiences experience sound and visuals.

The d&b Soundscape system is celebrated internationally for revolutionising live audio, embraced by legendary innovators such as Kraftwerk, Björk, and Nitin Sawhney. Recognised by award-winning theatre sound designers and composers worldwide, Soundscape enables creators to design sound experiences with unprecedented precision and creative freedom, placing every sound object in three-dimensional space for an enveloping, transformative experience.

“At CULTVR, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what the venue of the future can be like,” said Matt Wright, Artistic Director of CULTVR. “With the d&b Soundscape system, visitors can step inside the sound itself, experiencing music not just as something they hear, but something they feel and inhabit. It’s a game-changer for live performance and immersive sonic experiences here in Wales.”

Installed by d&b Soundscape specialists Southby Productions, the d&b Soundscape system combines advanced object-based mixing with sophisticated acoustic processing. At its core sits the DS100 Signal Engine, enabling precise positioning and movement of sound objects and the ability to create or manipulate the acoustic environment. The result is a fully enveloping, cinematic sound experience that transforms music into an immersive journey.

This installation marks a major milestone in CULTVR’s ongoing mission to fuse cutting-edge technology with immersive arts. The Soundscape system debuted in October with a series of live performances featuring Ishmael Ensemble, Monocolor, and Beardyman, each pushing the boundaries of music, art and technology. The system will continue to play a central role in upcoming concerts, installations, and experimental showcases, including Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon immersive experience, offering Welsh audiences an unprecedented level of sonic immersion.

CULTVR now joins a global network of venues pioneering this advanced audio technology. This international community includes some of the world’s most forward-thinking performance spaces, where artists, engineers and audiences come together to explore new dimensions of sound and storytelling. By becoming part of the d&b Soundscape network, CULTVR strengthens its position at the forefront of immersive media innovation in the UK and beyond, connecting local talent to a worldwide ecosystem of creative experimentation and technical excellence.

4Pi Productions is offering two paid placements to work as Production Assistants at CULTVR Lab. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands on experience in live event production, immersive media and audience engagement.

This placement is ideal for those looking to explore careers within the creative and digital industries, particularly in event production and immersive media. Participants will be supported by 4Pi Productions’ experienced team and gain exposure to a wide range of artistic and technical processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Event preparation & setup
  Assist with setting up and breaking down event spaces, including lighting, sound, seating, signage and accessibility features. Ensure the venue is clean and ready for audiences.
• Audience support & Front of House duties
  Welcome guests, provide information about the venue and events, and support audience flow and comfort throughout the experience.
• Technical & Production assistance
  Work closely with CULTVR’s technical team to assist with lighting, sound, projection, and immersive media installations. Support rehearsals, technical checks, and help troubleshoot minor issues during events.
• Creative Documentation & Social Media support
  Assist in capturing photo and video content for promotional and archival purposes. Help with real-time social media updates and behind the scenes content under brand guidance.

Required Skills & Experience

• Interest in or basic understanding of event production, technical support, immersive media, or audience engagement.
• Previous experience (paid or voluntary) in events, production, technical roles, or other relevant and transferable skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• A proactive attitude, willingness to learn, and ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Working Days & Hours

This is a part-time opportunity comprising 16-25 hours per week over a period of 10 weeks. Flexible, including weekends and bank holidays.
National Minimum Wage (NMW), paid monthly on a pro rata basis.

You will need to have availability on the 5th, 6th and 12th July and 2nd and 3rd August from 10am to 5pm to participate in audiovisual training sessions.

Start Date

Week commencing 30th June 2025, with a possible earlier or later start subject to scheduling.

How to Apply

Please fill this Google Form outlining why you are interested in the role, your availability and your experience and skills against the criteria above.

https://forms.gle/agFeK93BvpeWFvCr8

Applications can be submitted in either English or Welsh.

For individuals who are D/deaf, hearing impaired, disabled, neurodivergent or visually impaired, further support and adjustments are available. Please get in touch if you have any special requirements.

Deadline for Applications: 

Tuesday 10th of June 2025 / 17:30

Interviews: Week commencing 16th of June 2025 – Zoom

CULTVR Lab announces the return of Catalyst 360º, the first ever programme of XR residencies delivered here in Wales. Since opening its doors in 2019, CULTVR Lab has played a key role in supporting local and international immersive and digital artists to create and present new artworks. Building on this legacy, the 2025 edition of Catalyst 360º promises to be its most ambitious yet. Following an open call that received over 300 applications from artists, collectives and organisations worldwide, Catalyst 360º will feature 3 immersive residencies, 6 live XR showcases and a 0 barrier of engagement strand.

Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, the 2025 season marks a new chapter for Catalyst 360º, continuing to champion immersive storytelling and technological innovation by offering residencies that support the research, development and presentation of innovative projects within CULTVR’s immersive facilities. These residencies will provide both local, national and international artists with the space and resources required to push boundaries in immersive art forms.

In addition to the residencies, six Wales-based artists and organisations have been selected to showcase original XR works in the dome. These live XR presentations will bring cutting-edge projects to the public, encouraging creative dialogue between artists and audiences.

Rooted in Grangetown, CULTVR Lab is committed to making immersive art accessible for all. The 2025 Catalyst 360º programme will offer hands-on workshops, artist talks, open rehearsals, and guided tours. A free Open Day is scheduled for the 26th of July 2025, offering the public across our diverse communities a chance to explore and experience the immersive arts, whilst also having the opportunity to meet the creative teams behind the projects.

“The global response to our open call was overwhelming,” said Matt Wright, Artistic Director of CULTVR Lab. “It’s clear there’s an increasing demand for immersive projects, and we’re proud to provide a platform that not only supports artistic innovation but also ensures that local communities are central to the experience.”

The selected projects for the 2025 Catalyst 360º season include:

• 23rd May: Kitsch & Sync Collective takes over the Lab with an immersive comedy cabaret featuring walkabout characters, pop-up performances, and participatory games.
• 21st June: MWSOG Collective celebrates the summer solstice with a journey through Welsh land, language, and lore, blending live music, poetry, and 360° visuals to evoke hiraeth.
• 12th July: Tomos Williams performs Cwmwl Tystion / Witness, blending jazz, Welsh folk, and live visuals to explore Welsh history, identity, and resistance.
• 26th July: Mark Eaglen showcases Quantum Foam; an audio-visual work driven by audience interaction. Grounded in research across quantum theory, the work explores the spaces in between; ideas of cause and effect across shifting states of scale and time
• 1st August: Jack Philp’s We Live in an Old Chaos of the Sun. This collaboration between Jack Philp Dance and Uncharted Limbo Collective blends choreography with immersive, realtime digital technology in 360º. In this experience the human body becomes the catalyst for an evolving and responsive digital ecosystem.
• 8th August: Alma Digital introduces us to Neurocosm, an immersive AV experience using data represented in real-time with A.I and generative art exploring the phases of mindfulness meditation.
• 15th August: Movement 81 presents an audiovisual experience by Jason&Becky, exploring the science and ethics of emerging technology powered by a custom-built quantum-inspired instrument.
• 29th August: Gwen Sion performs Atlantis 2050, a multidisciplinary project transforming environmental data into haunting music and immersive visuals, highlighting the impact of rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
• 19th September: Immersive-me presents Delta, a live experiment in which neural activity shapes the environment in real time. The brain becomes both conductor and canvas.

For more information on the upcoming Catalyst 360º season and ticketing information, please visit https://www.cultvr.cymru/.

A celebration of fulldome cinema

CULTVR is proud to host the prestigious Best of Earth Fulldome Awards, a bi-annual event that brings together the finest works from the world’s most esteemed fulldome film festivals. This global celebration of innovation and excellence in fulldome filmmaking showcases the artistry and technological advancements that define this immersive medium.

The Best of Earth Fulldome Awards represents a unique collaboration among the industry’s most respected festivals, including FullDome Festival (Jena, Germany), Dome Fest West (Los Angeles, USA), Fulldome UK Festival (UK), Dome Under Festival (Melbourne, Australia), SAT Fest (Montréal, Canada), and Fulldome Festival Brno (Brno, Czechia).

“The Best of Earth Awards represents an unprecedented unity in the fulldome community,” says Ryan Moore, Executive Director of Dome Fest West. “By bringing together the world’s leading fulldome festivals, we’re not just showcasing films – we’re creating a global platform that elevates the entire medium and celebrates the innovative storytellers who are pushing its boundaries.”

Previously hosted at the Stiftung Planetarium Berlin in 2023 and 2021, the 2025 ceremony will take place at CULTVR on the 25th of March at 8pm. The event will also be live streamed in partnership with all the international fulldome festivals.

In advance of the award ceremony, audiences can experience a selection of nominated fulldome films in four exclusive immersive screenings at CULTVR. This is a unique opportunity to witness some of the best fulldome films produced in the last two years. These sessions offer a rare opportunity to experience fulldome films that are typically not available to watch in the UK. Audiences will explore the uncharted expanses of earth and space and innovative artistic works, all within an immersive cinematic format.

CULTVR is the only venue in the world presenting these special screenings ahead of the Best of Earth Awards Ceremony. This ceremony marks a significant milestone for the immersive cinema industry and will bring together filmmakers, industry professionals and immersive media enthusiasts to celebrate the achievements in fulldome storytelling.

Event Details:

• Where: CULTVR Lab
• When: 25th March 2025
• Time: 8pm
• Admission: Free – More information HERE
• Screening of Nominated Films: 15th and 22nd of March 2025. More information HERE

“What we’re witnessing at events like the Best of Earth Awards is just the beginning,” notes Moore. “Fulldome cinema is evolving rapidly, combining cutting-edge technology with masterful storytelling. The works being honored here aren’t just films – they’re glimpses into the future of immersive entertainment, and they’re setting new standards for what’s possible in this medium.”

Beyond the screenings and awards, CULTVR is dedicated to fostering conversations about the future of immersive media. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow enthusiasts, gain insights into the latest trends in fulldome cinema and explore the possibilities of this ever-evolving medium.

For media inquiries, please contact:
info@cultvrlab.com

Bridging academia and industry to develop tomorrow’s leaders in XR and shared cultural immersion

Cardiff, Wales / 28th of November, 2024. – 4Pi Productions, an award-winning creative studio at the forefront of immersive technology and digital storytelling, is excited to announce the launch of Unlocking XR, a pioneering educational initiative that unites Cardiff’s three major universities, the largest college in Wales and a national charitable organisation. This unique partnership aims to introduce participants to the creative potential of XR (extended reality) and shared cultural immersion. Designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, Unlocking XR offers a comprehensive programme of workshops, masterclasses, mentoring, shadowing opportunities and internships, all aimed at advancing participants’ understanding of immersive technologies and shared reality experiences.

Supported by Creative Wales through the Creative Skills Fund, Unlocking XR will be delivered from CULTVR Lab, a pioneer in immersive arts and education. With a five years track record delivering impactful educational and cultural XR programmes, CULTVR Lab provides an ideal environment for all the participants to engage directly with advanced immersive technology and gain practical skills in this rapidly growing field with applications across various sectors. For the next 10 months, 4Pi Productions is collaborating with leading educational institutions, including the University of South Wales (USW), Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff and Vale College and the Prince’s Trust. Through these partnerships, the programme aims to empower cross-disciplinary creators, equipping them with essential skills to explore and apply XR technology across entertainment, live events, music, animation, film, VFX, and virtual production.

Jack Sargeant, Minister for Creative, said:
“Unlocking XR is an innovative initiative that will equip Wales’ students with the tools, connections and expertise needed to thrive in the ever-expanding extended reality industry. It’s inspiring to see how our Creative Skills Fund will support so many young people into the world of XR, offering vital resources and links to a possible future career. Pob lwc i bawb!”

Unlocking XR stands out for its adaptability, offering a range of formats, durations and delivery methods to create an inclusive learning environment accessible to students across MA, BA, BTEC, vocational training and beyond. By building confidence and literacy in immersive technologies, the programme contributes to the democratisation of digital tools and learning, enabling participants from all backgrounds to gain critical skills for XR innovation.

“Unlocking XR provides an incredible opportunity to introduce students to alternative approaches to filmmaking, where they can explore the rapidly developing field of XR, and consider the technical and creative prospects of future screen arts. Students have enthusiastically engaged with masterclasses that have pushed them into new territories of creative practice whilst benefiting from this unique immersive facilities in Cardiff”. Joe Sudlow, Course Leader BA (Hons) Film.

In addition to its educational initiatives, Unlocking XR includes four paid work placements at CULTVR Lab, Europe’s first immersive arts venue equipped with state of the art XR technology specialised in live performance and fulldome cinema. For three months, selected participants will engage in immersive event production, experimenting with cutting-edge hardware and software.

“We’re thrilled to launch Unlocking XR and offer a pathway into immersive technology and XR for aspiring creatives. By working closely with universities and colleges and the Prince’s Trust, we’re not only addressing skills gaps but also providing tangible career development opportunities for students across Wales”, said Matt Wright, Director of 4Pi Productions. “We’re committed to fostering a skilled workforce ready to lead in this exciting, dynamic field.”

With a ten year legacy in producing interactive installations and immersive experiences, 4Pi Productions is uniquely positioned to mentor the next generation of talent. Through Unlocking XR, participants will gain exposure to leading XR technologies, acquiring creative, technical and production skills that will serve them in diverse career paths across immersive driven sectors.

For more information about Unlocking XR or to get involved, please contact:
Email: hello@4piproductions.com