Japan's First XR-Focused International Film Festival Announces Special Screening for Award-Winning Titles

Beyond the Frame Festival 2025: A Celebration of Award-Winning XR Films

The Beyond the Frame Festival, Japan's pioneering international film festival dedicated to XR (Extended Reality) technologies—comprising Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR)—is poised to host a distinctive event from November 1 to November 9, 2025. This special screening will be held at the XR Communication Hub NEUU, operated by Odakyu Electric Railway Co., and will feature a carefully curated selection of Grand Prix-winning films from the festival's past editions.

Overview of the Festival

Launched in 2021, the Beyond the Frame Festival has rapidly become a major platform for XR storytelling, fostering collaboration with international film festivals worldwide. The festival has consistently highlighted innovative works that push the boundaries of visual expression through next-generation technologies.

In 2025, the regular competition will be paused to present a special screening that honors the most critically acclaimed films from the festival's history. Audiences will have the opportunity to experience select award-winning works from Taiwan, Japan, the United States, Luxembourg, and beyond.

Special Screening Details

- Event Name: Beyond the Frame Festival Special Screening 2025
- Dates: November 1 (Saturday) - November 9 (Sunday), 2025

Note: Closed on November 4 (Tuesday) and November 7 (Friday)

- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM (reservations every 30 minutes)
- Venue: XR Communication Hub NEUU, 1F Shinjuku Mitsuba Building, 1-5-11 Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan (1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station West Exit)
- Ticket Price: 1,000 yen for 30 minutes
- Tickets Available: Peatix

Featured Films

Among the featured films are:
1. Home
- 2021 Grand Prix Winner: "Home" (28 minutes, Taiwan)
- Synopsis: On a summer afternoon, relatives gather at their grandmother's house, sharing precious moments before returning to their daily lives.
- Director: HSU Chih-Yen
- Genre: Drama

2. Replacements | 諸行無常
- 2021 Grand Prix Winner: "Replacements | 諸行無常" (17 minutes, Japan, Indonesia, Germany)
- Synopsis: An animated portrayal of a family living on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Director: Jonathan Hagard
- Genre: Animation

3. JFK Memento
- 2023 Grand Prix Winner: "JFK Memento" (40 minutes, America)
- Synopsis: A documentary accurately recounting the events surrounding President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, presented through a narrative structured by testimonies of the last living witnesses and investigative reporters.
- Director: Chloé Rochereuil
- Genre: Documentary

4. Oto's Planet
- 2024 Grand Prix Winner: "Oto's Planet" (28 minutes, Luxembourg, Canada, France)
- Synopsis: Follow Oto as he enjoys a serene life on his small planet, only to have his peace disrupted by an unexpected alien roommate.
- Director: Gwenael François
- Genre: Mystery, Animation

Networking Event: Beyond The Frame Studio

To complement the festival, a networking event titled Beyond The Frame Studio will take place on October 31, 2025, at the same venue. This event is designed for XR creators and enthusiasts to connect, share ideas, and collaborate.

- Date: October 31 (Friday), 2025
- Time: 6:30 PM - 8:50 PM
- Venue: XR Communication Hub NEUU
- Entry Fee: Free
- Registration: Event Link

The event will include social engagement activities, participant introductions, and discussions on community engagement.

About CinemaLeap

CinemaLeap, founded in April 2019, is a creative company based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, that specializes in delivering innovative XR experiences focused on storytelling. The company has produced XR films that are showcased in prestigious film festivals around the world, including the Venice International Film Festival, and operates the large-scale XR entertainment facility known as IMMERSIVE JOURNEY. More information can be found on their website: CinemaLeap.

For detailed information and ticket purchases, visit the official websites: Beyond the Frame Festival and Peatix.