The "Immersive Night" and Technology Forum of the Boundless ∞ Immersive Section at the 15th BJIFF Successfully Held
On April 18, the "Boundless ∞ Immersive Section" of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) hosted the "Virtual Frontier Exploration - VR and Immersive Imaging Technology Forum" at the Xinhua 1949 Cultural Finance and Innovation Industry Park in Beijing. The forum brought together technology experts, content creators, industry leaders, and academic representatives to engage in in-depth discussions on cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) and immersive imaging technologies, content production, talent development, and commercial implementation. These discussions injected forward-thinking insights and practical momentum into the innovative development of China's emerging "VR film" sector. Huang Zhi, Director of the Technology Department of the China Film Administration of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), attended the event.
▍Keynote Speeches: Exploring Technology Empowerment and Industry Pathways from Multiple Dimensions
The forum in the morning began with five keynote speeches delivered by industry experts, who shared insights on the current state and future trends of VR and immersive imaging technologies from various perspectives.
Yang Jianwei, Chief Architect of Intel, presented on The Application of Intel ARC Graphics in LBE (Location Based Entertainment) VR. He highlighted the strengths of Intel graphics cards in graphic processing capabilities, low-latency optimization, and AI functionalities, emphasizing the importance of hardware-software synergy in enhancing VR experience. He also discussed the critical role AI technology will play in future VR content creation and experience optimization.
Yang Jianwei, Chief Architect of Intel
Liu Kai, head of APAC enterprise services at PICO, delivered a speech titled PICO LBE Technology Boosting the Development of the VR Film Industry. He shared PICO's technological advancements and solutions in LBE positioning accuracy, stability, multi-user collaboration, and enterprise-level services. He also identified current industry challenges such as venue standardization, copyright protection, and unified operational platforms. He proposed fostering industry collaboration to build standardized platforms, promoting healthy industry growth.
Liu Kai, Head of APAC Enterprise Services at PICO
Chen Hao, XR product manager at Unity China, delivered a presentation titled Symbiosis of Virtual and Reality: Engine Empowerment. He elaborated on Unity's efforts as the world's leading real-time 3D engine in supporting cross-platform VR and XR content development, addressing hardware fragmentation challenges, and building a robust developer ecosystem. He expressed his vision of collaborating with Chinese developers to drive innovation and enhance the quality of VR film content.
Li Wenguo, lead author of the VR cinema technical solution at China Mobile Group Beijing Co., Ltd., shared insights on Technical Solutions for VR Cinema Playback Control and Security Monitoring. He analyzed the challenges faced by VR cinemas in areas such as network transmission, hardware costs, content security, and operational management, and introduced China Mobile's approach to leveraging 5G, cloud computing, and edge computing technologies to build a standardized, secure, and controllable VR cinema playback and monitoring platform.
Li Wenguo, Lead Author of the VR Cinema Technical Solution at China Mobile Group Beijing Co., Ltd.
Meng Hao, Founder and CEO of Shanghai Chongshou Technology Co., Ltd., presented on Commercial Implementation of VR Films Based on Super IPs. He shared practical experience in developing VR films based on iconic IPs such as the Terracotta Warriors and Picasso and discussed how VR and MR technologies can be deeply integrated with cultural IPs through innovative storytelling, interactive design, and a hybrid model combining "culture + technology + commerce" to create immersive entertainment experience with market appeal.
Meng Hao, Founder and CEO of Shanghai Chongshou Technology Co., Ltd.
▍Roundtable Discussions: Sparking New Ideas Through Intellectual Exchange
First Roundtable Discussion: "Breaking Boundaries - LBE VR Opens a New Era of Cinematic Expression". Moderated by Li Xun, a senior researcher at the China Film Archive (China Film Art Research Center), this discussion featured Thierry Loa, producer and director of 21-22 series, Liu Xiaowei, Associate Professor and Director of the Fine Art School at the Beijing Film Academy, Lou Yanxin, Founder and CEO of Sandman Studios and initiator of the Sandbox Immersive Festival, and Peng Junxi, CEO of Configreality. The guests discussed the narrative innovations, creative challenges, and opportunities brought by LBE VR. They explored how VR imaging shifts from traditional "lens language" to "spatial storytelling" and "attention guidance", presenting new demands for directors, art designers, and interaction designers. The guests shared their experience balancing artistic expression, technical limitations, and audience experience, as well as the differences in interaction design across cultural contexts. Additionally, they all agreed that cultivating interdisciplinary talent capable of integrating artistic creativity with technological implementation is crucial for advancing VR content development. This requires collaboration between academia and industry to nurture new talent and empower professionals from traditional fields.
Roundtable Discussion on "Breaking Boundaries - LBE VR Opens a New Era of Cinematic Expression"
Second Roundtable Discussion: "Computing Power and Content Production: A Full-Chain Transformation from Creation to Consumption". Moderated by Sun Chengjian, Deputy Director and Researcher at the Film and Television Research Institute at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, the panel included Gao Hui, Vice President of Boda Data (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.; Lu Huahui, General Manager of Hami Qianyi Ruixiang Big Data Technology Co. Ltd.; Shen Zhenyou, Founder and Chairman of Wuzhi Technology; Zhang Wenchao, Lecturer of School of Design and Director of the Art and Technology Program at the Central Academy of Fine Arts; and Bao Xiaoxi, VFX director of Railroad Tigers and Wolf Warriors series. The guests delved into how technologies like computing power, big data, and AI are reshaping the entire process of VR filmmaking, from creation and production to consumption. Representatives from computing infrastructure and technical solution providers discussed how data centers, cloud computing, and large models provide powerful computing support for film production, reducing costs, improving efficiency, and enabling new creative paradigms. Creators shared their experience using AI in specific areas like previsualization and data-driven storytelling, acknowledging its potential while pointing out current limitations in achieving nuanced emotional expression and avoiding homogenization. They emphasized the importance of creator-driven approaches and the deep integration of technology and art. The discussion also touched on optimizing algorithms and multimodal interaction design to enhance end-user immersion through improved computing power.
Roundtable Discussion on "Computing Power and Content Production: A Full-Chain Transformation from Creation to Consumption"
In the afternoon, the forum also focused on industry hotspots, hosting two thematic seminars: "Breaking New Grounds for State-Owned Film Enterprises" and "From Technology to Vision - Envisioning the Future of VR Films". Participants from various companies engaged in thought-provoking discussions, deepening industry exchanges and reflections while collectively envisioning a promising future for VR films.
On the evening of April 17th, the "Immersive Night - University Exchange Session" was held at the Xinhua 1949 Cultural Finance and Innovation Industry Park in Beijing. This event brought together industry experts, corporate guests, and representatives from universities participating in the Boundless ∞ Immersive Section - "Tribute to 120 Years of Chinese Cinema: University Showcase" shortlisted exhibition, including university leaders, faculty members, and cast & crew. Together, they celebrated the youthful creative power driving China's immersive imaging art scene.
During the event, representatives from multiple industry-leading organizations attended and participated in the awards ceremony. Leaders from the BJIFF, China Film Archive, Henan Broadcasting System, Da Xiang Meta Digital Technology Co., Ltd., Boda Data (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., Hami Qianyi Ruixiang Big Data Technology Co., Ltd., Xinhua News Agency's National Key Laboratory Center for Intelligent Interaction Design and Holographic Media Formats, EnlightV, EZXR Advanced Tech, I-Surroundings Lab, Tencent Pictures, Intel China, Unity China, PICO, and China Print presented certificates of recognition to the cast & crew behind 17 outstanding works selected from eight universities, i.e. Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Fine Arts, China Academy of Art, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, and Guangxi Normal University.
"Immersive Night - University Exchange Session"
This section was guided by the China Film Administration of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, organized by the BJIFF, hosted by the China Film Archive, supported by Henan Broadcasting System · Da Xiang Meta Digital Technology Co., Ltd., and jointly supported by Hami Qianyi Ruixiang Big Data Technology Co., Ltd. and Boda Data (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. The "Boundless ∞ Immersive Section" warmly invites everyone to follow the film screenings and related activities, embarking on an immersive journey through the interplay of visual storytelling.
