Kaohsiung Film Festival Unveils XR Program with Immersive Experiences

The 2026 Kaohsiung Film Festival has announced its "XR DREAMLAND" theme and visual for the upcoming event. The festival will explore immersive experiences through virtual reality, augmented reality, and other technologies, focusing on the theme of "Strange yet resonant" to foster human connection in an increasingly digital world.

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XR continues to expand the boundaries of viewing and experiencing, starting from the contradiction between technology and human perception, and considering how people can still establish connections when the virtual world becomes increasingly diverse and realistic.

This year's "XR Grand View" program will feature a diverse range of works, spanning from lunar exploration in "Artemis: The Lunar Mission" to artistic journeys through "Picasso: The Transformation of Guernica." "Artemis: The Lunar Mission," a co-production involving ZED, PTS, and France Télévisions, offers a large-scale, multi-person interactive VR experience based on NASA's Artemis program. It allows participants to virtually walk on the moon alongside astronauts, blending historical facts with fictional imagination.

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It is a concrete practice of people establishing connections through real-time interaction within the concept of 'Strange yet resonant.'

Another highlight is "Let's Dance Together," a Taiwanese premiere of a co-production between France, the US, and Greece. This interactive VR work uses physical movement as a medium for self-discovery and connection, set against the backdrop of a storm in New Mexico. It has been recognized at the Venice Film Festival and the New Images Festival, demonstrating the power of real-time interaction to build collective perception.

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It is an honor to serve as the 'XR Guest of Honor' this year. I look forward to XR DREAMLAND at this year's Kaohsiung Film Festival breaking new ground and bringing audiences a new perspective and experience through immersive creation.

The festival also introduces the "Fire Seed Observation Group," comprising creators and influencers like podcast host He Jin-min and fan Didi, who will evaluate XR works. Actor Darren Wang will serve as an "XR Guest of Honor," offering his perspective on the immersive experiences. The festival will take place from October 9 to October 26 at various venues in Kaohsiung.

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The characteristic of VR is that you can view the details of the story scene from a panoramic perspective. Not only can you feel the work from different angles, but it also brings a rare experience different from traditional viewing.