Celebrating the laureates creators at NewImages Festival 2025
The 8th edition of NewImages Festival concluded with a vibrant celebration of the creativity, depth, and boldness that define the contemporary immersive scene. Bringing together a wide range of international voices and artistic visions, the festival’s XR Competition, XR Market, and parallel programming painted a powerful portrait of the medium’s future.
The XR Competition laureates
At the heart of this year’s celebration was the XR Competition, where projects explored identity, perception, and transformation through both personal and collective lenses. From visual poetry to political allegories, the jury—comprising filmmaker Marie Amachoukeli, artist-technologist Violeta Ayala, and composer Philippe Cohen Solal—honored works that used immersion not only as a technical feat but as a tool for introspection and disruption.
The Grand Prize went to Ito Meikyū, a mesmerizing work by Boris Labbé that submerges the audience in an endless labyrinth of form and feeling. Aesthetic mastery, conceptual depth, and cultural nuance earned it the highest recognition.
The Impact Prize was awarded to Duchampiana, a bold experience by Lilian Hess that challenges social constructs by inviting users to physically transgress them. Its performative dimension and political stance resonated strongly with the jury.
Trans-Composition, by Shiuan Yan, was recognized with the Interactivity Prize for its meditative and philosophically rich interface. Rooted in Chinese spiritual traditions, it crafts a surreal and contemplative journey through cycles of transformation.
A Special Mention, dubbed the “Trippy Mention“, was given to Yorutouge, a dazzling VR concert directed by mikkabouzu featuring the otherworldly sounds of Vocaloid Kikuo. Celebrated for its sensory impact and cultural specificity, it captivated audiences with its dreamlike force.
The XR Development laureate
Beyond the competition, NewImages Festival also honored innovation in development and production. In the XR Market, Follow the Carnation, a dystopian narrative exploring memory and political loss, earned the XR Development Prize. Directed by Catarina de Sousa and Lui Avallos, the project stood out for its storytelling and potential for global impact.
Sunny Side of the Doc laureate
Meanwhile, the Sunny Side of the Doc x NewImages Prize went to Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, an engaging experience that brings to life the stories of trailblazing women through VR interactivity and hybrid documentary formats. The project was lauded for its educational value and cross-generational appeal.
Altogether, the 2025 laureates demonstrate the extraordinary breadth of immersive creation today. They offer new ways to engage with art, technology, and the world itself—affirming NewImages Festival’s role as a platform for artists, thinkers, and pioneers shaping the future of storytelling.