The Guardian reports from Venice Immersive, the Venice Film Festival's showcase for virtual and extended reality work, as it marks its 10th anniversary. The festival has grown from a small sideshow into a thriving 10-day event on its own island, reflecting the maturing sophistication of interactive storytelling technology, though the reviewer notes this year's programme, while strong, falls short of 2025's standout selection.

Sixty-eight installations feature this year, ranging from playful pieces like Celine Daemen's unsettling "Nothing to See Here" to more serious works addressing subjects such as the West Bank and climate change. Growth is evident in visitor numbers, now requiring two ferries instead of one, and a bustling row of food stalls along the lagoon. A notable shift this year is the rise of lightweight XR glasses alongside traditional headsets, showcased in projects including "Nevatars", an interactive children's animation co-created by Andy Serkis, though critics found some tech-forward pieces still outpaced their storytelling.