As moving images expand from the screen into space, shifting from "viewing" to "entering", the boundaries of film are changing. Audiences are no longer just passive viewers, but active participants who enter the world of the image through movement, interaction, and immersive experience.

On April 17-18, at O-Stage, Langyuan Station, Dongba, the 16th Beijing International Film Festival's "Boundless ∞ Immersive Section" will present two major events: the Virtual Reality Film Industry Development Forum and the Virtual Reality Film Industry Development Conference, charting a new course for immersive visual storytelling.

Synergistic Coexistence—Virtual Reality Film Industry Development Forum

At this pivotal moment, as virtual reality film moves from concept to practice, this forum focuses on breakthroughs across the entire industry chain. Through industry analysis and policy interpretation, it will offer an in-depth look at the current state and future trends of virtual reality film development. Five keynote speeches will explore topics ranging from content production and distribution support to the aesthetic boundaries of virtual reality films. The forum will also feature two panel discussions, bringing together industry guests and scholars to discuss cross-media storytelling in virtual reality films and collaboration across production, distribution, and exhibition. More than a forum on trends, it also sketches a clear blueprint for the virtual reality film industry from standards to ecosystem.

Glory Begins—Virtual Reality Film Industry Development Conference

This conference aligns with China Film Administration's overall plan to advance the development of a "new track" for virtual reality films. Marking the first anniversary of the release of the guiding policy on virtual reality films, it reviews the phased achievements and key experiences of China’s virtual reality film industry, from top-level policy design to the shaping of an industry ecosystem. During the conference, the China Research Institute of Film Science & Technology and the China Film Archive will successively release the Interpretation of Series Technical Standards of the Virtual Reality Film and the 2025 China Virtual Reality Film Industry Development Report, establishing annual coordinates from both technical and industrial perspectives. The Virtual Reality Film Working Group of the National Film Standardization Technical Committee will award honors to the recommended virtual reality films for the year 2025.

The establishment of standards, the release of reports, and the recognition of works lay a solid foundation for the industry. The next step is to guide the growth of this emerging field. After taking stock of past milestones, this conference will shift its focus from reflection to a new departure, opening up a shared journey of exploring the artistic boundaries of virtual reality films.

As a leading platform for development at the forefront of development in this field, guest curator Huang Bo will elaborate on the curatorial vision of this year's section, bringing a sense of artistic warmth to the industry. The section’s newly launched Virtual Reality Film Competition is open to unreleased virtual reality films that fall within China's film industry regulatory framework, demonstrate outstanding artistic quality and technical excellence, and stand as industry benchmarks. Major awards including Best Interactive Experience, Best Immersive Narrative, and Best Virtual Reality Film will be announced. The newly upgraded "University Honorary Selection" will also present awards for Best Immersive Narrative, Best Interactive Experience, Best Interactive Experience, Best Audiovisual Presentation, and Best Exploration Work. Finally, this conference will promote key virtual reality film projects for 2026, bringing together various forces to anticipate the future trends in virtual reality film development.

Gathering the light of cinema and the power of technology, the conference is not only a concentrated showcase of the industry's achievements but also a profound resonance on the future of audiovisual civilization. Every honor and exploration will become an inexhaustible force driving the industry forward. Let's return to the creative scene with this passion and insight, witnessing the birth of even more extraordinary works.

Boundless Light & Shadow, Toward An Intelligent Immersive World—see you there!