The transformative force of Deepa Mann-KIer's Belfast XR Festival

Published on March 26, 2025

Deepa Mann-Kler, XR Lead (Maternity Cover) at Atlantic Institute and founder of the Belfast XR Festival , created the event with a vision to make immersive technology accessible to local communities. This year’s festival ran Feb. 22-March 23 and was a dynamic showcase, featuring virtual reality prototyping workshops with 120 Ulster University students, industry talks and a launch party. A standout event was the internationally acclaimed award-winning multi-sensory immersive experience “In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats” held at Carlisle Memorial Church in North Belfast, a historically significant interface area. The experience tells the story of the 1989 Acid House movement, highlighting the festival's commitment to cultural exploration and community engagement.

Deepa's commitment to digital inclusion recognizes the need for platforms to engage Northern Ireland’s communities with virtual reality and digital storytelling. By leveraging partnerships she aims to empower local voices and provide access to cutting-edge technology.

The Belfast XR Festival sold out, reflecting its transformative force, uniting diverse audiences and shaping the future of art, culture and immersive technology.

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