Technology and creativity are constantly pushing the limits of visual storytelling as the galaxy of cinema enters a new era. In 2025, China's first "Virtual Reality Film Public Screening License" (Dian Shen Xu Zi No. 001) was officially issued within the "Boundless ∞ Immersive Section" of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), signaling that the country's virtual reality films had taken root in terms of policy, content, and market development. In the section's university themed creation segment, a group of emerging young creators in the field of immersive media have already made their mark, showcasing the unique creativity and sharp vision of the new generation.

　　The BJIFF has always evolved in lockstep with technological innovation and industry transformation, committed to providing fertile ground for forward-thinking immersive media to be showcased, exchanged, and cultivated. In 2026, the 16th BJIFF’s "Boundless ∞ Immersive Section" will launch the "University Honorary Selection" for the first time. This initiative aims to discover and honor young creators in the field of immersive media who demonstrate outstanding technical skills, exceptional artistic talent, and cutting-edge humanistic thinking. It also seeks to establish an innovative platform that bridges industry, academia, and research, fostering breakthroughs in the future of visual storytelling.

　　This "University Honorary Selection" calls for submissions from current students at higher education institutions across the country. Adhering to principles of fairness, professionalism, and forward-looking perspectives, the selection process will offer official screening opportunities at the BJIFF's "Boundless ∞ Immersive Section" for chosen works. Outstanding entries will be awarded multiple honors. Teachers and students from colleges and universities across the country are cordially invited to actively participate and collaborate on a new chapter in immersive media and future storytelling.

　　1. Work Categories and Technical Requirements

　　This "University Honorary Selection" establishes two main work categories:

　　1.1. Immersive Headset Works

　　These are immersive works designed for head-mounted display devices. They should fully leverage the technical and medium-specific features of headsets to explore narrative, interaction, and world-building from a first-person perspective. Acceptable formats include: Virtual Reality (VR) works (including 3DoF panoramic video and 6DoF interactive experiences), Augmented Reality (AR) works, and Mixed Reality (MR) works.

　　Supported Platforms:

　　VR All-in-One Headsets: Meta Quest 2/3/Pro, Pico 4, and similar devices.

　　PC VR Headsets: HTC VIVE Pro and similar devices based on SteamVR.

　　AR / MR Devices: Please specify the device model and operating environment in the work description document.

　　Technical Requirements for 3DoF Panoramic Video:

　　Duration: Works should be longer than 5 minutes.

　　Format & Mapping: Support 180°/360° monoscopic video or stereoscopic video. Mapping must be equirectangular projection (2:1). For stereoscopic video, use Side-by-Side or Top-Bottom layout.

　　Video Requirements: Resolution no lower than 4K (3840 x 2160). Frame rate no lower than 24 FPS (30 - 60 FPS recommended). Encoding format H.264 / H.265. Container format MP4 / MOV.

　　Audio Requirements: At least 2.0 stereo, encoded in AAC. If you use multi-channel or spatial audio formats, please specify in the work description document.

　　Additional Notes: It is recommended to include metadata recognizable by VR players.

　　Technical Requirements for 6DoF Interactive Experiences:

　　Type: 6DoF interactive experiences include various virtual reality work types such as single-user interaction, multi-user large-space interaction, games, and theatrical experiences.

　　Duration: Works should be longer than 5 minutes, must feature a complete experience flow, and should indicate the optimal experience duration.

　　Interactivity: Must provide clear user guidance (including visual, voice, or gesture cues, etc.).

　　Technical Requirements: Render resolution should match the target headset. Render frame rate must be stable and smooth (no lower than 60 FPS).

　　Additional Notes: Works must be packaged as standalone executable files that can run directly on the target hardware platform. If you use peripheral devices (including controllers, motion-sensing devices, tracking systems, etc.), please specify the device name and connection method in the work description document.

　　1.2. Immersive Spatial Works

　　This category covers immersive media works based on multi-screen, non-headset environments. It encourages the use of various media and technological means to explore narrative and experiential forms within immersive spaces. The primary format solicited is CAVE immersive spatial video works, composed of left, center, and right screens at a 90-degree angle to each other, along with a floor screen.

　　Technical Requirements (CAVE):

　　Duration: Works should be longer than 5 minutes.

　　Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (left, center, and right screens), 1:1 (floor screen).

　　Video Requirements: Resolution no lower than 1920 x 1080 (left, center, and right screens) and 1920 x 1920 (floor screen). Frame rate no lower than 24 FPS. Encoding format H.264 / H.265. Container format MP4 / MOV.

　　Audio Requirements: At least 2.0 stereo, encoded in AAC. If you use multi-channel or spatial audio formats, please specify in the work description document.

　　Additional Notes: If you use other multi-screen formats, or if the work includes real-time rendering and interactive content, please specify the system environment and equipment requirements in the work description document.

　　2. Honors Setup

　　To encourage young creators in their exploration and breakthroughs across different dimensions, this "University Honorary Selection" establishes the following honors:

　　Best Immersive Work (1 for Immersive Headset Works, 1 for Immersive Spatial Works): Honors works that demonstrate outstanding overall performance in artistic expression, technical execution, and immersive experience, representing comprehensive excellence.

　　Best Immersive Storytelling (1 for Immersive Headset Works, 1 for Immersive Spatial Works): Honors works that fully leverage the unique characteristics of immersive media for narrative exploration, achieving high-quality expressive outcomes.

　　Best Interactive Experience (1 for Immersive Headset Works): Honors works that exhibit remarkable creativity and a high degree of completion in interactive design and the creation of a sense of immersion.

　　Best Audiovisual Presentation (1 for Immersive Headset Works, 1 for Immersive Spatial Works): Honors works that possess high-level technical quality in both visual and auditory presentation.

　　Best Exploration Work (1 for Immersive Headset Works, 1 for Immersive Spatial Works): Honors works demonstrating innovative breakthroughs and experimental value in form, content, or technical approach.

　　3. Judging, Screening, and Recognition

　　The BJIFF’s "Boundless ∞ Immersive Section" will convene a professional jury composed of directors, artists, curators, technical experts, and industry representatives from domestic and international universities, film festivals, and the immersive media field. This jury will be responsible for the initial and secondary review stages. The judging process will adhere to the principles of fairness, professionalism, and forward-thinking, comprehensively considering artistic quality and technical execution. Evaluation dimensions include the work's innovation and intellectual depth, artistic expression and narrative completeness, maturity of technical implementation and exploratory use of the medium, as well as the richness of the overall immersive experience and audience resonance.

　　Selected works will receive official selection certificates and will be included as part of the official screening program of the 16th BJIFF’s "Boundless ∞ Immersive Section", presented to the public collectively during the festival. Ultimately, the outstanding works chosen will receive honorary certificates and will gain opportunities for media promotion, as well as academic and industry exchange.

　　Note: For selected headset-based works participating in the screenings, the responsible parties must cover the costs associated with equipment transportation, installation, and on-site technical support. The Organizing Committee retains the right of final decision regarding relevant technical conditions.

　　4. Eligibility and Submission Method

　　4.1. Eligibility

　　Target Participants: Officially registered current students (undergraduate / master's / doctoral students) at higher education institutions across the country. Submission is accepted from individuals or teams, and teachers may be listed as supervising instructors.

　　Completion Deadline: Works must have been completed after January 1, 2025.

　　Originality Statement: The principal creators must be legally recognized co-owners of the work's copyright and must guarantee the work's originality.

　　Note: The copyright of all submitted works remains with their creators. The Organizing Committee commits to using the works solely for the judging and screening processes of this film festival.

　　4.2. Submission Materials

　　(1) Submission Form

　　Please download the "16th BJIFF’s 'Boundless ∞ Immersive Section' University Honorary Selection Submission Form" from the official website or by clicking "Read More". Fill it out completely and include the digital signatures of the principal creator(s) and any supervising instructor.

　　(2) Work Materials

　　a.Work Preview Video

　　This serves as the core basis for the initial review. It must completely and clearly demonstrate the work's core audiovisual experience, narrative flow, and key interactive elements. Resolution should be no lower than 1920 × 1080, frame rate no lower than 24 FPS, encoding format H.264 / H.265, and container format MP4 / MOV.

　　b.Complete Work File

　　For Immersive Headset Works, provide a stable, smoothly running standalone build that meets the technical requirements, such as an .apk installation package or .exe executable file.

　　For Immersive Spatial Works, provide the original video files that meet the technical requirements. For CAVE-type works, submit 4 clearly named separate files for the Left screen, Front screen, Right screen, and Bottom (floor) screen. A preview video demonstrating the CAVE spatial layout may also be included.

　　c.Promotional Materials

　　Work poster, stills, screenshots, etc. (3 - 5 images, JPG format, 300 DPI).

　　d.Work Description Document

　　Work introduction and creative statement (principal creator information, creative concept, narrative structure, interaction design, etc.);

　　Work technical specifications (video parameters, audio parameters, rendering engine and version, etc.);

　　Runtime and equipment environment (hardware model, platform, network and peripheral dependencies, etc.);

　　Installation and operation guide (file structure description, installation steps, launch method, controls and exit procedure, etc.);

　　Spatial and display configuration (screening space layout diagram, equipment and signal setup instructions, etc.);

　　Common troubleshooting and maintenance solutions (possible issues and solutions);

　　Other supplementary materials (project production process, behind-the-scenes records, etc.).

　　4.3. Submission Method

　　Please consolidate the work materials (2) a - d into a single compressed file and upload it to a cloud storage service. Enter the share link and password into the submission form (1). Then, email the completed submission form as an attachment to the official submission email address.

　　Naming format for the compressed file, submission form, and email subject must be "Immersive Headset Works/Immersive Spatial Works - Institution Name - 'Work Title'". For example: "Immersive Headset Works - Beijing Film Academy - 'Echoes of the Future'".

　　Note: Submission materials will serve as the basis for work evaluation, honorary selection, and promotional material creation. All content must be original or properly authorized. Submitters are solely responsible for any errors, omissions, or copyright disputes. No submission fees are required in any form.

　　4.4. Submission Deadline

　　From now until February 28, 2026

　　4.5. Contact Information

　　Official Submission Email: immersive_edu@bjiff.com

　　Contact: He Yuxin

　　Contact Phone Number: 010-82296174

　　We look forward to meeting every young creator with a vision for the future. Let us gather in the "Boundless ∞ Immersive Section" to collectively witness the infinite possibilities of the art of light and shadow.