Belfast XR Festival takes over the Oh Yeah Music Centre next week

A full day of industry talks and networking

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 6th Mar 2025
Last updated 6th Mar 2025

As part of Belfast XR Festival bringing the award-winning VR Experience In Pursuit Of Repetitive Beats to Belfast from March 14th – 23rd, they will be running a host of key Panel events in the Oh Yeah Music Centre on Thursday 13th March with a select group of key speakers throughout the day, discussing a range of key topics within interactive media and VR.

Belfast XR Festival 2025 has created an incredible line-up of events this year, showcasing the best in immersive storytelling, VR, and interactive media. This includes their flagship event, In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats AND a full day of industry panels designed for musicians, producers, sound designers and immersive storytellers working in any medium.

Full schedule below 👇

In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats: Behind the Scenes (10:00 - 11:00 AM)

A deep dive into the making of In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats, exploring its creative process, technical challenges, and cultural significance.

Speakers:

Jo Wright (Chair) | Music Consultant, Citizen Music Ireland

Darren Emerson | Filmmaker, East City Films and Creator of IPORB

Timmy Stewart | DJ/Producer

The Future of Immersive Content Production (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

A discussion on where XR storytelling is headed, emerging trends, and the challenges of creating meaningful immersive experiences.

Speakers:

Nigel McAlpine (Chair) | Immersive Technology Development Lead, Digital Catapult

Rory Friers | Composer, Immersive Artist

Linda Curtin | XR Maker, Researcher

Dr James Stafford | Business Development Lead, INCISIV

Victoria Eyton | Senior Creative Producer, Darkfield

Machines Do Not Discriminate: Technology & Diversity (1:15 - 2:15 PM)

A ‘fireside chat’ exploring how technology can break down barriers for diverse creators and democratise immersive storytelling.

Speakers:

Rosa Costanza | Emmy-Nominated Producer & Director

Lucy Baxter | XR Filmmaker, Lecturer

Mastering Immersive Sound: Elevating Virtual Experiences (2:15 - 3:30 PM)

Unpacking how binaural audio, head tracking, and spatial sound enhance immersion in XR projects.

Speakers:

Jo Wright (Chair) | Music Consultant, Citizen Music Ireland

Dr Jia-Rey Chang | Lecturer, MediaLab, Queen’s University Belfast

Katie Richardson | Composer, Sound Designer

Luke McNeice | Head of Engineering, Hamilton Robson

Dr Úna Monaghan | Harper, Composer, Researcher

For more info 👉 ohyeahbelfast.com/events/belfast-xr-festival-the-art-of-sound

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