Touching the Sky VR crowned top prize at Qld XR Awards
Virtual reality documentary Touching the Sky VR has taken the top honour at the Qld XR Festival 2025 Awards, underscoring the growing role of global brands and studios in immersive media.
The work, directed and produced by Jonathan Griffith, won the festival's "Best in the World" award. It also secured the prize for Best in Virtual Reality Passive Immersive Experiences.
The Queensland event ran across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast over three days. It showcased console and PC games, virtual reality, augmented reality, digital art, creative AI and animation. The awards have built a track record with international franchises. Previous editions have included work linked to Wallace & Gromit and Dr Seuss.
Festival Director Matt Kirby highlighted the execution behind the winning VR project.
"From start to finish Touching the Sky VR is incredibly well put together - it's great to see Red Bull supporting the production of this stunning VR experience," said Matt Kirby, Festival Director, Qld XR Festival.
The recognition for Touching the Sky VR reflects a wider influx of branded and studio-backed immersive content. Major companies and independent creators shared the stage across categories this year.
Global brands
Roblox-based experience IKEA The Co-Worker on Roblox won Best in Virtual Worlds / UGC. Swedish studio The Gang developed the project for the furniture retailer inside the user-generated content platform.
Kirby said the result marked a notable entry point for younger audiences.
"It's bringing young gamers into a fun interactive virtual world where you can even experience the delicious IKEA meatballs virtually," said Kirby.
Vertigo Games' Metro Awakening also featured prominently. The title won Best in Virtual Reality Gaming and Best in Console Gaming. The VR and console project is directed by Martin De Ronde and Samar Louwe.
Australian focus
Domestic studios and creators also secured key awards. White Spark Pictures won the Best in Australia category for The Great Kimberley Wilderness. The VR experience features narration by actor Luke Hemsworth.
In creative AI, Brendan Young and Catherine McQuade took Best in Creative AI for music video Pyrrhic Victory. The work combines musical composition with AI-driven visual production.
The Rising Star Award went to Liminal by a three-person team. Producer and programmer Kora Lee worked with level designer and 3D artist Thao Tran and level designer and 2D artist Yu-chi Huang.
Kirby said he expects more activity from local creators in the months ahead.
"There is nothing better than seeing someone try a world class virtual experience for the first time on day 1 of Qld XR Festival or Australian XR Festival and seeing them come back for the several days that follow. In the end it's all about human connection," said Kirby.
Broader line-up
The awards covered a wide spread of formats across the XR spectrum this year. Animation series Sky of Tides: Atla won Best in Animation for Lofty Sky Entertainment. Jason Loftus and Masha Loftus directed and produced the project.
Best in Augmented Reality / Mixed Reality Experiences went to Jolly Match 3 MR by JollyCo. The project uses mixed reality interaction in a casual game format.
Coded Black, written and directed by Maisha Wester and produced by Nick Bax, took Best in PC Gaming. The title competed against a field of desktop-focused projects.
Short film "The Last Dream" by Wilfred Lee secured Best in Short Films. The category recognises work at the intersection of film-making and digital techniques.
In digital art, Toilet Consciousness / 廁意識 by Che-Kuang Chuang won Best in Digital Art. The piece highlights the festival's inclusion of gallery-style works alongside game and narrative experiences.
Crafting Crimes by Targo received Best in Virtual Reality Interactive Immersive Experiences. Chloé Rochereuil directed the project and Victor Agulhon produced it.
The mix of categories reflects a maturing XR landscape. Game studios, film-makers, artists and AI-led teams all featured among the winners.
Next festival
Kirby plans to extend the momentum with another national event. He will stage the Australian XR Festival at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne later in the year. Furthermore, the organisers intend to bring many of the same international and Australian creators back in 2026. They expect further growth in entries across VR, AR, games and AI-driven art.
