New stages. New formats. New audiences.
Festival for Immersive Storytelling + Virtual Production
// 001_ABOUT
What is MUNICH Beyond?
MUNICH Beyond brings together festivals, venues and cultural institutions from Munich and Bavaria with artists, creators and producers from around the world to explore the future of immersive arts. Expect international XR experiences, immersive projects and films, alongside showcases, talks and encounters — where artistic practice meets real-time media and new audiences.
Taking place July 1–5, 2026 in Munich, MUNICH Beyond focuses on immersive storytelling, spatial media and virtual production, exploring how these emerging forms intersect with film, technology and new production cultures.
MUNICH Beyond is a collaboration by Festival der Zukunft and Filmfest München, in partnership with XR HUB Bavaria and the Residenztheater München, and supported by the FilmFernsehFonds Bayern (FFF). Together, they create a shared space where artistic experimentation, industry exchange and new audience experiences come together.
// 002_PROGRAM
What to Expect
MUNICH Beyond offers a curated program of XR experiences, talks, encounters and professional exchange across several days and venues in Munich, unfolding between the Festival der Zukunft and Filmfest München.
The festival brings together immersive works, artistic research, industry perspectives and public dialogue.
Format
XR · Immersive Storytelling · Spatial Media · Virtual Production
Mode
Showcases · Talks · Labs · Encounters
Focus
Formats · Audiences · Venues · Business Models
Region
Munich · Bavaria · Europe
Program Highlights
Across several days, MUNICH Beyond unfolds through immersive experiences with professional exchange and public events.
XR Experiences
Discover a curated exhibition of international XR works spanning more than 500 m² presented in the Experience Area at the Festival der Zukunft.
Talks & Panels
Join conversations with artists, producers and researchers exploring the future of immersive storytelling. (Location: Festival der Zukunft)
Workshops & Masterclasses
Dive into creative practice, production workflows and new tools through hands-on sessions and expert-led masterclasses. (Locations: Festival der Zukunft & Filmfest München)
Dome Stories
Experience a selection of international fulldome films and immersive dome projects exploring new narrative forms. (Location: Festival der Zukunft)
Community Events
Meet, exchange and celebrate at networking events and the MUNICH Beyond closing gathering together with Filmfest München and the Festival der Zukunft.
// 003_HISTORY
A Short Look Back
MUNICH Beyond launched in 2025 as a joint XR program by Filmfest München and the Festival der Zukunft, supported by XR HUB Bavaria, the Residenztheater München and FilmFernsehFonds Bayern.
At its core was a curated XR exhibition spanning more than 500 m², accompanied by talks, panels and professional exchange.
The program presented immersive works from Bavaria alongside internationally awarded productions from Europe, the United States and Asia, with Taiwan as the first official partner country.
With more than 4,100 visits and fully booked XR slots, MUNICH Beyond quickly established itself as an internationally connected platform for immersive media.
The 2026 edition builds on this momentum with an expanded program and new international partnerships. Click here for last edition's images.
// 004_AUDIENCE
Who Is It For?
MUNICH Beyond brings together a diverse community across arts, media and technology.
- Artists & creators working with immersive media
- Producers, studios and industry professionals
- Film festivals, cultural institutions and curators
- Researchers, technologists and innovators
- Curious audiences interested in new narrative formats
// 005_UPDATES
Updates
+++ Mar 18, 2026 +++
New Realities Competition 2026: Submit Your XR Ideas!
The New Realities Competition returns for its second edition in 2026. XR HUB Bavaria and 1E9 invite artists, creators, studios and innovators to submit projects, concepts and products that use XR technologies to create meaningful impact.
The award will be presented during MUNICH Beyond at the Festival der Zukunft on July 3, 2026. Selected projects will be honored by an international jury.
Submission deadline: May 15, 2026.
Learn more and submit your idea via XR HUB Bavaria: xrhub-bavaria.de
Munich · Bavaria · The Future
July 1 – 5, 2026
A collaboration by
