An international showcase for immersive cinema, theatre and sound

The Poetics VR Film Festival invites filmmakers, artists and creative studios from around the world to submit their VR180°, 360°, volumetric and immersive installation works for the 2026 edition in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Poetics is a celebration of a new kind of storytelling, one that unfolds all around the viewer. It is for creators who use virtual reality as a canvas for emotion, imagination and presence. We welcome projects that challenge what cinema can be, whether they are poetic or documentary, theatrical or musical, personal or experimental. What matters most is that they move people.

Taking place in the heart of Thessaloniki, a city known for its artistic spirit and festivals, Poetics turns real spaces into intimate VR cinemas and sensory installations. Each venue becomes a meeting point between creator and audience, where stories are not only watched but lived.

We understand the care, craft and courage it takes to create in immersive formats. Our goal is to offer a stage where your work is experienced at its full power and seen by people who truly value this emerging art form. Selected films and installations will be presented in high-end VR pods, spatial sound environments and pop-up XR exhibitions curated by an international team of immersive professionals.

What We Look For

We are seeking works that use immersive media to tell powerful and original stories. We are interested in experiences that explore emotion, memory, presence, identity and the evolving relationship between the physical and digital worlds. We welcome both established creators and new voices who wish to experiment and share their vision.

Festival Categories

VR Narrative, VR Documentary, Student and Emerging Artist.

Creators of selected works will receive festival laurels, professional visibility, and opportunities for future showcases through the growing Poetics network.

Join us in Thessaloniki in February 2026 for a celebration of immersive cinema, performance and creativity.

Submit your work and share your world.

Awards & Prizes

Best VR Narrative (180°/360°)

Best VR Documentary

Student / Emerging Artist

Audience Award

Rules & Terms

The Poetics VR Film Festival celebrates immersive storytelling through VR180° and 360° cinema, virtual performances, and spatial experiences. By submitting your work, you agree to the following terms:

1. Eligibility

Open worldwide to creators, studios, collectives, and students.

Accepted formats: VR180° / 360° video (mono or stereoscopic), or mixed reality installations.

Works must be non-interactive or lightly interactive and completed after January 1, 2023.

Runtime: generally under 40 minutes (installations may vary).

2. Language & Subtitles

Non-English works must include English subtitles (embedded or .SRT). Dialogue-free projects are also eligible.

3. Technical Requirements

Files accepted in .mp4, .mov, or .mkv formats, minimum 4K resolution (8K preferred).
Audio: stereo, binaural, or ambisonic (1st–3rd order).
Submissions must include a synopsis, 2–3 stills, and technical details.

4. Selection Process

Entries are reviewed by a curatorial committee of VR filmmakers, artists, and researchers.
Selection is based on artistic quality, originality, emotional impact, and technical execution.
The festival reserves the right to reassign works to appropriate categories.

5. Exhibition & Rights

Selected works will be exhibited in VR pods, pop-up cinemas, and installations during the festival in Thessaloniki.
By submitting, you grant the festival non-exclusive rights to exhibit your work during the event and use short excerpts or stills for promotion and documentation.
All other rights remain with the creator. No online distribution occurs without written consent.

6. Awards & Jury

Awards include: Best Immersive Narrative, Best Documentary Experience, Best Virtual Performance, Best Spatial Sound Design, Audience Award. Jury decisions are final.

7. Fees & Copyright

Submission fees are non-refundable.
Entrants confirm full ownership or proper clearance for all materials used.
The festival bears no responsibility for copyright disputes.

8. Attendance

Attendance is encouraged but not required.
Selected creators receive festival accreditation and access to networking and industry sessions.

By submitting, you confirm you have read and agreed to these Rules & Terms and authorize the Poetics VR Film Festival to exhibit your work as described.