XJTLU Unveils Cutting-Edge Immersive Dome Cinema, Reshaping Creative Education

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) has formally unveiled a transformative immersive dome cinema at its Entrepreneur College in Taicang, China, on December 18, 2025. This facility represents more than just architectural innovation—it symbolizes a fundamental shift in how immersive media education and creative technology training are being conceptualized globally. The 18-meter diameter dome, equipped with 8K resolution imagery and an enveloping sound system, creates a 110°×180° wraparound viewing experience powered by self-illuminating LED display technology.

Reimagining Creative Spaces Through Technology Integration

The architectural and technical specifications of this dome cinema reflect a broader institutional commitment to experiential learning. Professor Qian Liu, Dean of the Academy of Film and Creative Technology, emphasized how such immersive environments transform abstract concepts into tangible experiences. “What was once difficult to visualize can now be explored intuitively,” Liu noted, positioning the facility as both an educational resource and a research platform for cross-disciplinary innovation.

The digital environment enables students and faculty to investigate emerging relationships between human cognition and technological systems. Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, described the dome as introducing a new spatial paradigm—one that expands the boundaries of creative expression by leveraging AI and advanced visualization technologies to explore innovative storytelling methods.

MEGA Festival Records Historic Participation Surge

Coinciding with the dome cinema’s inauguration, XJTLU hosted the fifth edition of its MEGA International Creative Media Festival under the theme “Immersion.” The event demonstrated unprecedented international engagement, receiving 1,384 submissions from 14 countries and regions—a 67% increase from the previous year’s participation.

The festival’s competitive scope now encompasses traditional categories alongside emerging fields, including AI-generated content and short-form video production. This expansion reflects the industry’s recognition of digital transformation and algorithmic creativity as central to contemporary media practice. Fourteen award-winning teams and creators were recognized across these diverse categories.

The opening ceremony livestream garnered over 2.07 million views, underscoring the festival’s expanding global influence and appeal to international creators and audiences interested in immersive media developments.

Building Industry Consensus on Immersive Media’s Future

The summit segment, titled “Immersive Future: Scene Revolution and Value Innovation Driven by Immersive Media,” convened scholars, industry practitioners, and creative leaders to examine how immersive technologies are fundamentally altering content production pipelines, spatial experience design, and potential applications across sectors.

Simultaneously, XJTLU formalized the establishment of the International Immersive Media Creation Alliance, initiated by its Academy of Film and Creative Technology. This collaborative framework aims to strengthen connections between educational institutions, creative industries, and technology developers—establishing infrastructure for sustained innovation in immersive media creation globally.