Belfast XR Festival launches £200,000 creative development fund

Applications for Amplify:XR Labs are now open

Amplify:XR Labs is a new £200,000 UK‑wide creative development programme delivered by Belfast XR Festival to support early‑stage immersive media projects. The programme is designed to:

• tackle the lack of early‑stage support for immersive producers in the UK
• encourage new voices and diversity within the XR sector
• enable cross‑sector collaboration between film, TV, games and other creative industries
• de‑risk project development through paid creative time, mentoring, and access to industry experts

Ten UK‑based teams will be selected to take part, each led by a new or emerging producer, supported by a director/writer and a creative technologist.

What can you get

The programme will provide early development funding and tailored creative support. Successful applicants will benefit from:

• a working stipend of £1,772.80 per team member (£5,318 per team)
• a three‑day residency in Belfast
• bespoke masterclasses, workshops and one‑to‑one mentoring from XR industry leaders
• five days of rapid prototyping support
• access to an exclusive UK finance and distribution event
• travel, accommodation and accessibility support, including childcare assistance

By the end of the programme, each team will produce a prototype or development build, script, pitch deck, and full project plan, ready for further funding or production.

Who can apply

The programme is open to UK‑based new and emerging producers developing narrative immersive projects using XR technologies. Applicants may be new to XR, provided they can show experience as an emerging creative in another screen sector. Applications are particularly encouraged from producers and teams who are under‑represented in the immersive sector or face barriers to participation.

Applications close at 5pm on 6 February 2026.

Selected projects will be announced one week later. Find out more: Amplify:XR Labs.

Information sessions

Free information sessions (in Belfast, Enniskillen, Derry~Londonderry and online) will help potential applicants understand the programme scope, eligibility, and application process. Attendance is strongly recommended before applying. Find a list of sessions and register now.

The Amplify:XR Labs initiative is funded through the BFI Creative Challenge Fund, awarding National Lottery funding in partnership with Arts Council Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, Immersive Arts UK and Digital Catapult.

First published 22 January 2026