Author: Tina Calder

Full Lineup Revealed For Belfast XR Festival With Top Extended Reality Experiences On The Bill

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An innovative arts festival is set to once again merge technology and art to create a unique virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experience for attendees.

Belfast XR, now in its third year, specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.

Extended Reality or ‘XR’ is the collective name for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR is a computer-generated artificial environment with scenes that appear to be real, while AR is a digital overlay onto the real world, which is viewed through your phone or an iPad. 

This year’s lineup has been confirmed to include three unique paid for experiences along with an additional three free bonus experiences available for visitors to the festival.

Appearing at the festival will be the magical VR journey through the work of Catalan architect and designer Antoni Gaudí in Gaudí, The Atelier of the Divine.

Attendees will take part in a 20 minute experience designed for small groups of six.

The story will take festival goers back to 1926 when, weakened by age and feeling his death approaching, Gaudí invites his new assistants to discover his studio, to understand his vision and complete his work. 

The heart-wrenching voyage of survival Stay Alive My Son is also one of the key events, based on the internationally acclaimed memoirs of Pin Yathay, this immersive 60 minute story thrusts audiences into the shoes of a pained father forced to make the gut-wrenching decision to abandon his six-year-old son to survive during the Cambodian genocide.

The final headline experience will be Eternal, the profound exploration of eternal life, where during this 20 minute experience attendees will step into the realm of eternity with a mesmerising audio journey designed exclusively for one person, in the comfort of their own bed. 

As intimate audiences of just two people per time slot climb into a bed they will delve into a profound exploration of eternal life and contemplate the sacrifices one might make for immortality. 

Deepa Mann-Kler, director and curator for Belfast XR Festival which is an annual gathering for the XR arts – storytelling, visual arts, music, drama, dance, literature and theatre, said bringing virtual and augmented reality content to new audiences locally is something the team at Belfast XR are passionate about.

She said: “Our ambition is to create an unmissable annual gathering for XR that inspires storytelling and our passion is to bring the best global virtual and augmented reality content to new local audiences. You don’t need to have used a virtual reality headset before, as our team will guide you through the whole process.”  

For attendees who purchase tickets for any of the headline events this year they will have exclusive access to three additional free experiences.

Emperor is a 40 minute long captivating virtual reality experience that delves into the mind of a father grappling with aphasia. Attendees will witness the poignant journey of a daughter striving to connect with her speechless father, uncovering the depths of his memories along the way. 

Flow is a 15 minute experience where users will be swept away by the winds through what appears to be an ordinary day filled with turbulence. Encounter the sensations of smells, heat and breath, as the air currents unveil hidden presences and reveal captivating events in the life of a woman. 

SEN is also a 15 minute experience where attendees will enter the mystical realm of the traditional Japanese tea room, where they’ll meet SEN, the tea spirit. As disaster strikes and SEN dissolves into the universe, it discovers unity with all beings, bringing calm to the tea room. 

Running on Wednesday February 28 and Thursday 29 this year’s festival theme is Legacy which will offer attendees the chance to experience world history in captivating ways allowing audiences to step into the past, interact with historical figures, and explore significant events firsthand. 

Belfast XR Festival is both for XR enthusiasts and those who haven’t experienced any form of XR in the past.

Deepa explained: “The Festival is aimed at 16+ years of age and is open to everyone. You don’t need to have experienced AR, VR or any of these types of experiences before. We  have an amazing team who will guide you through the whole process from the  minute you step into The Black Box.  

“I want people to have memorable experiences. I want them to be altered, in a good way. I want them to talk about how it made them feel. I want to increase their appetite to experience more. 

The Belfast XR Festival is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It is also supported by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen, Digital Catapult NI, Future Screens NI and Ulster Screen Academy.

For more information follow Belfast XR Festival on social media or go to belfastxrfestival.com 

Step Into A Mesmerising The Audio Experience Eternal At The Belfast XR Festival

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Eternal, the profound exploration of eternal life, has been confirmed as one of the unique experiences at this year’s Belfast XR Festival.

During this 20 minute experience attendees will step into the realm of eternity with a mesmerising audio journey designed exclusively for one person, in the comfort of their own bed. 

As intimate audiences of just two people per time slot climb into a bed in the Black Box Green Room they will delve into a profound exploration of eternal life and contemplate the sacrifices one might make for immortality. 

This experience, originally commissioned by the prestigious Bram Stoker Festival, was developed by the creators at DARKFIELD, written by Glen Neath and is performed by Lloyd Hutchinson under the direction David Rosenberg and Glen Neath. 

Deepa Mann-Kler, director and curator for Belfast XR Festival added: “I’m so excited that we are able to share Eternal with our audiences this year. This is a very special experience where you will be guided to your own candle lit bed. 

“Our staff will be on hand to help you throughout the experience. Darkfield, the company who created Eternal, are magicians of sound. Your heart will race, listening to this story, and you may want to take your headphones off and rip off the duvet. 

“Eternal is equally comforting and terrifying. The challenge is to stay until the end, because the rewards are eternal life.”

Belfast XR, now in its third year, specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.

The innovative arts festival which will once again merge technology and art to create a unique virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experience for attendees 

Extended Reality or ‘XR’ is the collective name for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR is a computer-generated artificial environment with scenes that appear to be real, while AR is a digital overlay onto the real world, which is viewed through your phone or an iPad. 

Speaking of the annual Belfast XR Festival, which is an annual gathering for the XR arts – storytelling, visual arts, music, drama, dance, literature and theatre, Deepa said bringing virtual and augmented reality content to new audiences locally is something the team at Belfast XR are passionate about: “I have been working with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) since 2016 with my company Neon. During that time I have been fortunate to visit XR Festivals across the USA and Europe. 

“I realised that there are so many incredible stories being told in this medium that audiences in Northern Ireland never get the opportunity to experience. This was my key motivation. 

“Our ambition is to create an unmissable annual gathering for XR that inspires storytelling and our passion is to bring the best global virtual and augmented reality content to new local audiences. You don’t need to have used a virtual reality headset before, as our team will guide you through the whole process.” 

Running on Wednesday February 28 and Thursday 29 this year’s festival theme is Legacy which will offer attendees the chance to experience world history in captivating ways allowing audiences to step into the past, interact with historical figures, and explore significant events firsthand. 

Belfast XR Festival is both for XR enthusiasts and those who haven’t experienced any form of XR in the past.

Deepa explained: “The Festival is aimed at 16+ years of age and is open to everyone. You don’t need to have experienced AR, VR or any of these types of experiences before. We have an amazing team who will guide you through the whole process from the minute you step into The Black Box. 

“I want people to have memorable experiences. I want them to be altered, in a good way. I want them to talk about how it made them feel. I want to increase their appetite to experience more. 

The Belfast XR Festival is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It is also supported by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen, Digital Catapult NI, Future Screens NI and Ulster Screen Academy.

For more information follow Belfast XR Festival on social media or go to belfastxrfestival.com 

Nominations Now Open For The 2024 Remarkable Marketing Awards

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Northern Ireland’s first dedicated awards ceremony celebrating individual marketers and their talents has opened for entries.

The Remarkable Marketing Awards which are the brainchild of marketer Treena Clarke, founder of the hugely popular annual Big Marketing Meet Up conference will be held on Friday 31st May at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.

Hosted by communicator and presenter, Emer Maguire, the RMA’s are calling on all marketers and their teams to blow their own trumpets and nominate themselves or their colleagues to be recognised for their creativity, innovation and marketing successes.

Nominations are open until March 8. It’s completely free to enter and there are just three questions to answer, which will be judged by a panel of industry experts from outside of Northern Ireland. 

Leading the judging panel is Walter Campbell, one of the most award-winning creative thinkers and inspirational ECD’s in advertising. Best known for his TV work, his film “Surfer” for Guinness was voted Best Commercial of All Time by the UK public. 

Walter is joined by judges from across Europe including Sara Riis-Carstensen, who has worked with iconic brands including Lego, DeBeers and Lufthansa and Steve Brown who led the comms strategy for Absolut Vodka as well as previously judging the Drum Marketing Awards.

Asked what he’s looking to see from the entrants, Steve said: “I’m looking for bold and impactful actions that demonstrate a clear and nuanced understanding of target audiences and showcase your remarkable work over the last 12 months.”

With 20 categories to choose from across 15 business sectors and five team and individual marketer awards, there is something for everyone at the RMA’s. Awards include categories for Technology and Innovation Sector, Charity and Not for Profit Sector and Media and Creative sector among others.

Speaking of the awards, Treena Clarke, founder, said: “The Remarkable Marketing Awards are a celebration of the people behind groundbreaking initiatives. These awards are not about brands, channels or tactics, they’re about you – the visionary marketer.” 

Expected to be a night of fun and excitement, the night begins at 6pm for pre-event drinks before the ceremony begins at 7pm. After the event, guests are more than welcome to stay for some entertainment and music from The String Ninjas until midnight. 

If you’re a class first marketer producing class remarkable work, then entering this event should be a no-brainer. You can also nominate a worthy colleague, make a name for yourself and enter today.

The RMA’s are sponsored by headline sponsors Card Group Research and Insight, along with category sponsors Excalibur Press, Horrible and Mrktsearch. 

To enter, buy tickets or find out more go to remarkableawards.com

Belfast YMCA Champions Affordable Housing with Strategic Land Sale in Stranmillis

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In a strategic move to address the pressing need for affordable housing in Belfast, local charity Belfast YMCA has released a prime piece of land to the market for sale in the Stranmillis Area.

Working with commercial estate agents Frazer Kidd the land in the highly coveted BT9 area is on the market for “offers in the region of £1m”.

The land, currently not in use by the charity, extends to approximately 2.84 acres and is strategically located adjacent to the Belfast YMCA’s Stranmillis hub where the organisation will retain the majority of the land surrounding the site. 

This hub is a cornerstone of the community, offering a wide range of facilities, including a day nursery, after school clubs, a gym, and community amenities. The charity plans to further enhance this area with a community garden, walking trails, and a junior park run, making it an ideal location for a residential development that aligns with the YMCA’s community-centric mission.

The underutilised land has been earmarked for development into affordable housing, lies in proximity to the bustling Stranmillis Village and the serene Malone Road and offers a unique opportunity to developers and housing providers.

Chief executive, Belfast YMCA, Chris Cupples said the sale of the unused land will allow the organisation to reinvest into the charity’s wider initiatives, allowing the organisation to play a more active role in addressing the needs of children, young people and communities across Belfast. 

He added: “We are delighted to be moving forward with our plans to market this site for sale. Affordable housing is in high demand across Belfast and this site presents a great opportunity to help provide more local housing in the years to come.

“The sale of the site will not impact upon any of the activities delivered by the Belfast YMCA Stranmillis hub, selling this land offers a strategic opportunity to partner with a trusted charity, presenting the chance to collaborate on a social housing scheme aligned with the YMCA’s mission, leveraging existing resources for mutual benefit and enhancing community wellbeing.

“The site also presents the opportunity for other social developments such as a nursing home or residential care facility.”

Belfast YMCA is a charity that has been serving children, young people and communities across Belfast for over 170 years. Today the charity operates across; Childcare, Youth and Community. Peacebuilding is the golden thread through everything they do.

 

Brian Kidd, partner at Frazer Kidd said the land “offers a rare opportunity to acquire a potential residential development site, within an extremely popular residential area, situated directly adjacent to the YMCA football playing fields.”

He added: “This land presents the opportunity to develop a scheme aligned with the YMCA’s mission, leveraging existing resources for mutual benefit and enhancing community well-being. 

 

For more information on the land download the brochure from frazerkidd.co.uk 

To find out more about the work of Belfast YMCA go to belfastymca.org

Immerse Yourself In A Magical Journey Into The World Of Famous Designer Gaudí At Belfast XR Festival

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A magical VR journey through the work of Catalan architect and designer Antoni Gaudí has been confirmed as one of the unique experiences at this year’s Belfast XR festival.

Barcelona-based Gaudí was famed for his free-flowing works greatly influenced by nature.

As part of the festival attendees will experience 20 minutes of the awe-inspiring wonder of Gaudi’s visionary creations.

Designed for small groups of six, audiences will have the freedom to explore a shared space like never before. 

The story will take festival goers back to 1926 when, weakened by age and feeling his death approaching, Gaudí invites his new assistants to discover his studio, to understand his vision and complete his work. 

Deepa Mann-Kler, director and curator for Belfast XR Festival said the experience of Gaudí, The Atelier of the Divine takes audiences into the mind of the famous architect.

She added: “Through the exceptional reconstruction of the atelier, which burned down in 1936, visitors can embark on a narrative journey into the unique psyche of the Catalan master.

“What is so very special about this story, and unusual for VR, is that this is a shared experience where you can see each other’s avatars. It truly is one of the most breath-taking installations around today, and one you will never forget.”

The Gaudí experience was created by Stéphane Landowski & Gaël Cabouat who have been working together for over a decade.

Together they have created more than 60 short films, four feature films, and three documentaries.

Stéphane specialises in the writing and supporting projects during the writing phase.

Stéphane said: “We wanted to design an experience aimed at discovering Gaudí’s brilliant universe through a reconstruction of his workshop, which has now disappeared. 

“Overcome by an all consuming mysticism, the architect ended up moving into this hybrid, modular space where as a passionate hermit, he became a tireless worker for God. 

“More than a place of work, the studio, made in his image and moulded to his obsessions, had thus gradually become an extension of the artist and, even more, a materialisation of his psyche.”

Gaël then steps in to take over at the production level.

“From the outset of the project, it was clear that we wanted to use the studio’s rendition to tell the story of the man, and to ensure that each wall, each ceiling, as delirious as his thoughts, would tell the story of his dreamlike and tortured universe, like a deforming and dynamic mirror,” Gaël added.

Belfast XR, now in its third year, specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.

The innovative arts festival which will once again merge technology and art to create a unique virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experience for attendees 

Extended Reality or ‘XR’ is the collective name for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR is a computer-generated artificial environment with scenes that appear to be real, while AR is a digital overlay onto the real world, which is viewed through your phone or an iPad. 

Speaking of the annual Belfast XR Festival, which is an annual gathering for the XR arts – storytelling, visual arts, music, drama, dance, literature and theatre, Deepa said bringing virtual and augmented reality content to new audiences locally is something the team at Belfast XR are passionate about: “I realised that  there are so many incredible stories being told in this medium that audiences in Northern Ireland never get the opportunity to experience. This was my key motivation. 

“Our ambition is to create an unmissable annual gathering for XR that inspires storytelling and our passion is to bring the best global virtual and augmented reality content to new local audiences. You don’t need to have used a virtual reality headset before, as our team will guide you through the whole process.”  

Running on Wednesday February 28 and Thursday 29 at the Black Box in Belfast, this year’s festival theme is Legacy which will offer attendees the chance to experience world history in captivating ways allowing audiences to step into the past, interact with historical figures, and explore significant events firsthand. 

Belfast XR Festival is both for XR enthusiasts aged 16+ and those who haven’t experienced any form of XR in the past.

The Belfast XR Festival is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It is also supported by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen, Digital Catapult NI, Future Screens NI and Ulster Screen Academy.

For more information follow Belfast XR Festival on social media or go to belfastxrfestival.com 

Matthew Bell To Officially Launch Book At Belfast Central Library

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Matthew Bell (author) with Sian Cairns (Libraries NI District Officer)

Former pro hockey player Matthew Bell will launch his memoir Second Chances at Central Library in Belfast later this month.

The book, released in December last year, tells the incredible story of Matthew’s battle with brain cancer and the gruelling recovery that followed. Once an international hockey player, Matthew’s life was upended while playing professionally in Germany. 

After enduring several surgeries and having to re-learn basic life skills, Matthew’s journey back to the pitch and the sport he loves was anything but easy. 

In the book, Belfast athlete Matthew, 28, tells the story of how he spent six weeks in hospital in Germany and endured five surgeries before being flown home to Northern Ireland by air ambulance to start cancer treatment. 

While away from home he stopped eating, talking and walking for seven weeks. Matthew’s parents were told by the consultant neurologist that he couldn’t tell them if their son would ever walk or talk again

Published by Belfast company Excalibur Press, Matthew’s book is now available to buy on Amazon as well as through their website.

Publisher Tina Calder said: “Matthew’s story is one of resilience, strength and absolute determination. It’s a beautifully open and frank account of his battle back to health.

“Second Chances stands as an inspiration to anyone who has an uphill challenge ahead of them. We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to publish this for Matthew.”

As part of Matthew’s journey and his determination to make his book available to those who need it he is generously donating copies of the book to libraries across Northern Ireland.

Sian Cairns, District Officer for Libraries NI said: “We are thrilled that Matthew Bell has chosen Belfast Central Library as the venue for an event to launch his new book. 

“Those attending the event will have the privilege of hearing Matthew share his extraordinary story and thanks to his very generous donation, library members across NI will be able to borrow the book from Libraries NI.”

The launch event will take place at 4pm, Thursday February 22 where Matthew will be joined by Excalibur Press founder Tina Calder who will speak to the former hockey star about his new book and the process of getting to where he is today. 

Of the launch, Matthew said: “It’s lovely to be able to launch my book in the library where it was published.

“‘Excalibur Press helped streamline the process of getting the book printed and published and I’m excited to be launching the book in the same offices as Excalibur. 

“To say I have a published book is hard to comprehend, but I’m glad to be able to support a wonderful charity with the proceeds.”

Sales of Second Chances will also support Friends of The Cancer Centre, a charity close to Matthew’s heart. 

To book your place at the event email belfast.central@librariesni.org.uk or call 028 9050 9150. Alternatively, bookings can be made in person at the main desk.

To purchase Matthew’s book or for more information go to excaliburpress.co.uk 

Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy Launches Belfast XR Festival

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(L-R) Matthew Malcolm, Creative Industries Development Officer Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Ryan Murphy, Deepa Mann-Kler, director and curator for Belfast XR Festival and David McConnell, Head of Education Northern Ireland Screen

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Ryan Murphy has launched the 2024 Belfast XR Festival at the Black Box in Hill Street.

Belfast XR, now in its third year, specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.

Extended Reality or ‘XR’ is the collective name for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR is a computer-generated artificial environment with scenes that appear to be real, while AR is a digital overlay onto the real world, which is viewed through your phone or an iPad. 

Speaking at the launch of the festival, Lord Mayor Councillor Ryan Murphy said: “I’m delighted to help launch the Belfast XR festival as it celebrates its third year in the city. Innovation is in Belfast’s DNA – once world leaders in linen production and shipbuilding, today we’re making waves in world-leading technology and the creative industries

“At Belfast City Council we’re committed to fostering creativity through our Belfast Agenda and the Belfast Region City Deal, and Belfast XR is a brilliant showcase of the kinds of technological innovations we will be seeing more of in the future.

“I’d encourage everyone – those with experience of augmented reality and those who are new to this kind of technology – to visit the Belfast XR Festival and experience this immersive storytelling experience first-hand.”

Deepa Mann-Kler, director and curator for Belfast XR Festival which is an annual gathering for the XR arts – storytelling, visual arts, music, drama, dance, literature and theatre, said she was delighted to welcome Belfast City Council as one of the sponsors of the 2024 festival.

She added: “I have been working with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) since 2016 with my company Neon. 

“I realised that there are so many incredible stories being told in this medium that audiences in Northern Ireland never get the opportunity to experience. We are delighted to be able to bring together the 2024 festival with the support of all of our funders who make it possible for us to make these unique experiences available to those who wouldn’t otherwise have access to them.

“Our ambition is to create an unmissable annual gathering for XR that inspires storytelling and our passion is to bring the best global virtual and augmented reality content to new local audiences. You don’t need to have used a virtual reality headset before, as our team will guide you through the whole process.” 

Running on Wednesday February 28 and Thursday 29 at the Black Box this year’s festival theme is Legacy which will offer attendees the chance to experience world history in captivating ways allowing audiences to step into the past, interact with historical figures, and explore significant events firsthand. 

The Belfast XR Festival 2024 is also supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Matthew Malcolm, Creative Industries Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support the Belfast XR Festival, thanks to The National Lottery players. This funding support reflects the Arts Council’s commitment to encouraging innovative practices that cross artform boundaries and build digital capabilities within the Northern Ireland arts sector. 

Congratulations to Deepa Mann-Kler the team at Belfast XR in curating this terrific festival – don’t miss out!”

Belfast XR Festival is both for XR enthusiasts and those who haven’t experienced any form of XR in the past.

This year’s festival is also supported by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen.

David McConnell, Head of Education at Northern Ireland Screen said: “ As Belfast XR enters its third year, we are pleased to support its evolution as a pioneer in immersive storytelling, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and technology to new heights. 

“Belfast XR will provide a unique opportunity to experience content such as 360 film, interactive virtual and augmented reality from high-profile international filmmakers who are experimenting with new technologies, to new works from some of the most exciting emerging talent in the field.”

Belfast XR Festival 2024 has three key experiences – the heart-wrenching VR voyage of survival Stay Alive My Son, the profound audio exploration of eternal life Eternal and a magical VR journey through the work of Catalan architect and designer Antoni Gaudí in Gaudí, The Atelier of the Divine.

The festival also includes three free to access experiences available for anyone who books a ticket to one of the three main events.

Deepa said: “The Festival is aimed at 16+ years of age and is open to everyone. You don’t need to have experienced AR, VR or any of these types of experiences before. We have an amazing team who will guide you through the whole process from the minute you step into The Black Box.  

“I want people to have memorable experiences. I want them to be altered, in a good way. I want them to talk about how it made them feel. I want to increase their appetite to experience more. 

The Belfast XR Festival is also supported by Digital Catapult NI, Future Screens NI and Ulster Screen Academy.

For more information follow Belfast XR Festival on social media or go to belfastxrfestival.com 

Epic Cinematic Experience Stay Alive My Son On The Bill For Belfast XR Festival

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The heart-wrenching voyage of survival Stay Alive My Son has been confirmed as one of the experiences for this year’s Belfast XR Festival later this month.

Based on the internationally acclaimed memoirs of Pin Yathay, this immersive story thrusts audiences into the poignant shoes of a father facing unimaginable choices during the Cambodian genocide.

For 60 minutes attendees will be able to embark on a tragic voyage of survival, an epic cinematic journey spanning 45 years.

Stay Alive My Son, the directorial debut by Victoria Bousis, is a virtual reality experience that places audiences in the shoes of a pained father forced to make the gut-wrenching decision to abandon his six-year-old son to survive during the Cambodian genocide.

Organisers of the festival describe it as the ultimate “gripping tale of love, sacrifice and resilience”.

Deepa Mann-Kler, director and curator for Belfast XR Festival added: “It’s an honour to be sharing Stay Alive, My Son with audiences across Northern Ireland, made by Victoria Bousis, a visionary, who truly pushes the boundaries and limitations of what can be created with virtual reality.

“This story has won every global award going and it is a huge coup for Belfast to be bringing this work here.

“Victoria has created an epic, stunning, AAA cinematic experience. Stay Alive, My Son enables you to be the father, where you begin your journey for atonement, travelling from cavernous labyrinths to the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat. At its heart this is a story of compassion. In todays’ world we need these stories now more than ever.”

Belfast XR, now in its third year, specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.

The innovative arts festival which will once again merge technology and art to create a unique virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experience for attendees

Extended Reality or ‘XR’ is the collective name for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR is a computer-generated artificial environment with scenes that appear to be real, while AR is a digital overlay onto the real world, which is viewed through your phone or an iPad.

Speaking of the annual Belfast XR Festival, which is an annual gathering for the XR arts – storytelling, visual arts, music, drama, dance, literature and theatre, Deepa said bringing virtual and augmented reality content to new audiences locally is something the team at Belfast XR are passionate about: “I have been working with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) since 2016  with my company Neon. During that time I have been fortunate to visit XR Festivals across the USA and Europe.

“I realised that  there are so many incredible stories being told in this medium that audiences in Northern Ireland never get the opportunity to experience. This was my key motivation.

“Our ambition is to create an unmissable annual gathering for XR that inspires storytelling and our passion is to bring the best global virtual and augmented reality content to new local audiences. You don’t need to have used a virtual reality headset before, as our team will guide you through the whole process.”

Running on Wednesday February 28 and Thursday 29 at the Black Box, this year’s festival theme is Legacy which will offer attendees the chance to experience world history in captivating ways allowing audiences to step into the past, interact with historical figures, and explore significant events firsthand.

Belfast XR Festival is both for XR enthusiasts and those who haven’t experienced any form of XR in the past.

Deepa explained: “The Festival is aimed at 16+ years of age and is open to everyone. You don’t need to have experienced AR, VR or any of these types of experiences before. We  have an amazing team who will guide you through the whole process from the minute you step into The Black Box.

“I want people to have memorable experiences. I want them to be altered, in a good way. I want them to talk about how it made them feel. I want to increase their appetite to experience more.

The Belfast XR Festival is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It is also supported by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen, Digital Catapult NI, Future Screens NI and Ulster Screen Academy.

For more information follow Belfast XR Festival on social media or go to belfastxrfestival.com 

Extended Reality Festival Returns To Belfast To Create Unique Tech Driven Art Experiences

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An innovative arts festival is set to once again merge technology and art to create a unique virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experience for attendees.

Belfast XR, now in its third year, specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.

Extended Reality or ‘XR’ is the collective name for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR is a computer-generated artificial environment with scenes that appear to be real, while AR is a digital overlay onto the real world, which is viewed through your phone or an iPad. 

Deepa Mann-Kler, director and curator for Belfast XR Festival which is an annual gathering for the XR arts – storytelling, visual arts, music, drama, dance, literature and theatre, said bringing virtual and augmented reality content to new audiences locally is something the team at Belfast XR are passionate about.

She said: “I have been working with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) since 2016  with my company Neon. During that time I have been fortunate to visit XR Festivals across the USA and Europe. 

“I realised that  there are so many incredible stories being told in this medium that audiences in Northern Ireland never get the opportunity to experience. This was my key motivation. 

“Luckily I secured funding from Future Screens NI and Film Hub NI and we were able to  deliver the first Festival in 2022. For the last two years BXRF sat within the Belfast Film Festival and their support has been pivotal in selling out our shows to local audiences.  

“Our ambition is to create an unmissable annual gathering for XR that inspires storytelling and our passion is to bring the best global virtual and augmented reality content to new local audiences. You don’t need to have used a virtual reality headset before, as our team will guide you through the whole process.”  

Running on Wednesday February 28 and Thursday 29 this year’s festival theme is Legacy which will offer attendees the chance to experience world history in captivating ways allowing audiences to step into the past, interact with historical figures, and explore significant events firsthand. 

Belfast XR Festival is both for XR enthusiasts and those who haven’t experienced any form of XR in the past.

Deepa explained: “The Festival is aimed at 16+ years of age and is open to everyone. You don’t need to have experienced AR, VR or any of these types of experiences before. We  have an amazing team who will guide you through the whole process from the  minute you step into The Black Box.  

“I want people to have memorable experiences. I want them to be altered, in a good way. I want them to talk about how it made them feel. I want to increase their appetite to experience more. 

The Belfast XR Festival is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It is also supported by Digital Catapult NI, Future Screens NI, Ulster Screen Academy and NI Screen.

For more information follow Belfast XR Festival on social media or go to belfastxrfestival.com 

 

Mother Of Inspirational Teen To Tell Heartfelt Story At 4 Corners Festival

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The mother of inspirational Irish teenager Donal Walsh is set to join this year’s 4 Corners Festival to remember her brave son.

Elma Walsh’s son Donal from Co Kerry was diagnosed with terminal cancer in his teens and during his life spread an anti-suicide message of living life to the full. 

Sadly, after raising awareness through his writing and TV appearances like Brendan O’Connor’s The Saturday Night Show, Donal passed away in 2013.

To honour her son, Elma set up the Donal Walsh #Livelife Foundation to promote her son’s passionate anti-suicide #Livelife message.

Taking place on Tuesday, February 6 at 7.30pm at Forthspring, Springfield Road, at the event Donal Walsh: A Story of Hope, Elma will join 4 Corners host Gerard Sowney to talk about her story and how she is continuing to honour her son’s legacy. 

Speaking of the event Elma said: “When I was asked to take part and heard what the festival was about, I was delighted to have been asked.

“I think it’s a great initiative to get people from different cultures and backgrounds together. 

“I’ll be talking about Donal who was diagnosed terminal but didn’t let that dictate what was left of his time here, he didn’t give up. 

“I hope that people will take the message away from this event that they should not give up on hope, we must all make an extra effort to get more involved & more supportive not only of our own community but to involve other communities also.”

Now in its 12th year, the 4 Corners Festival was conceived as a way to inspire people from across the city to transform it for the peace and wellbeing of all.

The festival features a range of music, discussion, sport and faith-inspired events and will run from February 1 to 11 in venues in all four corners of the city. 

At Donal Walsh: A Story of Hope the Fitzroy Collective will be performing songs from their Gospel According To Sinead O’Connor. 

Shannon Campbell, 4 Corners committee member, said: “We are very much looking forward to hearing from Elma Walsh at this year’s festival. 

“Elma’s reputation precedes her as being an uplifting, inspiring presence wherever she goes – just as her son, Donal, whose story she’ll be telling – was. Donal has touched the lives of countless young people during both his life on earth, and indeed since his passing, and 4 Corners are honoured to be a part of sharing Donal’s important hope filled message over 10 years on. 

“It’s sure to be a very special evening.”

This year’s theme OUR STORIES…Towards A Culture Of Hope is about showcasing our city and our people’s stories reflecting the essence of belonging and unity within the city’s diverse community.

The upcoming festival’s suite of events is designed to entice people out of their own ‘corners’ of the city and into new places where they will encounter new perspectives, new ideas and hopefully meet new friends.

The 4 Corners Festival is supported by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund, The Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and Belfast City Council Good Relations Fund.

All festival events are free of charge, with most open to the public, although advance booking of tickets is mandatory. Select events will be streamed online on the official 4 Corners Festival YouTube and Facebook accounts.

For more information about the festival and to keep up to date with programme updates go to 4cornersfestival.com 

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