Honored guests and judges, dear members of academic staff, students, and friends,
In this warm winter sunlight, on behalf of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), I extend a warm welcome to you for attending the 5th MEGA International Creative Media Festival and the Launch Ceremony of Immersive Dome Cinema! We are grateful for the strong support of all leaders and guests, for the dedicated preparation of our student and staff teams, and especially for the 1,384 submissions from creators across 14 countries and regions—you capture the times through your lens, interpret culture through your creativity, and connect the world through your work, making MEGA a true stage for global creative talent to exchange and collide!
This year’s submission count has increased by 67% compared to last year, a remarkable growth that is truly inspiring. From short videos, documentaries, and films to shows and advertising works, the diverse types showcase the infinite possibilities of creative expression. From the Communication University of China and Beijing Film Academy to the Royal College of Art and Columbia University, from professional institutions like NetEase Games and Chongqing Three Keys Picture Co., Ltd. to independent creators, your participation has elevated MEGA’s internationalization and professionalization to new heights. The 253 submissions from the professional group further demonstrate the industry’s recognition of MEGA’s platform value. Behind these numbers lies the best proof that creativity knows no borders and a vivid illustration of multicultural integration.
This year, we adopt “Immersive” as our theme, which represents not only an exploration of creative expression but also a forward-looking vision for future learning and experiential spaces. Today, we not only celebrate the 5th MEGA but also witness a moment of special significance—the official unveiling of the Immersive Dome Cinema at XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang). This pioneering space, integrating teaching, research, creation, and industrial practice, will serve as a vital component of XJTLU’s future-oriented learning spaces, providing students with an unprecedented arena for creative experimentation.
Our original intention in building it is not to showcase our technological prowess but to inspire and unleash students’ creativity. In today’s era of rapid AI and immersive technology development, we face a fundamental choice: do we let technology become wings that expand human imagination, or do we let humanity become subservient to technology? XJTLU’s answer has always been clear—we use technology to serve human growth and enhance creativity, while simultaneously using human wisdom and emotion to enrich technology with meaning.
“Immersive” is not merely a technological form but a cognitive approach and experiential philosophy. As sound, light, and imagery break through the constraints of traditional screens, the boundaries between creator and audience, technology and art, reality and virtuality are redrawn. We hope that every young person who walks into this space can feel this conviction: you are the masters of technology, not passive users; your creativity is always more precious than any technology.
As the nurturing ground for MEGA, the Academy of Film and Creative Technology is a practical example of XJTLU’s innovative ecosystem integrating “industry, academia, research, government, and society.” MEGA, this flagship project, embodies not just a competition but an open, continuously evolving international creative ecosystem—here, Media conveys values, Exhibition sparks new dialogue, Graphics breaks the boundaries of expression, and Arts nourishes the human spirit.
Through five years of accumulation, MEGA has grown from a regional event into a creative festival with international and global influence. Today’s unveiling of the Immersive Dome Cinema injects new dimensions and energy into MEGA. Looking forward, I hope MEGA will become a bridge connecting education and industry, transforming student works into market value; become a window for cross-cultural dialogue, where creative wisdom from different civilizations converges; and become a frontier for immersive technology exploration and application, leading the development of future media arts and contributing XJTLU’s wisdom to the construction of a global creative education ecosystem.
Finally, let us embrace diversity with an open mind, understand differences with an inclusive spirit, and explore the unknown with innovative courage. May every participant find like-minded partners at MEGA, experience unique creative possibilities in the Immersive Dome Cinema, and gain growth and inspiration that transcends the works themselves.
Thank you again for your enthusiastic participation and strong support. Let’s together write an even more brilliant chapter for MEGA and shape a better future with creativity!
Honored guests and judges, dear members of academic staff, students, and friends,
In this warm winter sunlight, on behalf of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), I extend a warm welcome to you for attending the 5th MEGA International Creative Media Festival and the Launch Ceremony of Immersive Dome Cinema! We are grateful for the strong support of all leaders and guests, for the dedicated preparation of our student and staff teams, and especially for the 1,384 submissions from creators across 14 countries and regions—you capture the times through your lens, interpret culture through your creativity, and connect the world through your work, making MEGA a true stage for global creative talent to exchange and collide!
This year’s submission count has increased by 67% compared to last year, a remarkable growth that is truly inspiring. From short videos, documentaries, and films to shows and advertising works, the diverse types showcase the infinite possibilities of creative expression. From the Communication University of China and Beijing Film Academy to the Royal College of Art and Columbia University, from professional institutions like NetEase Games and Chongqing Three Keys Picture Co., Ltd. to independent creators, your participation has elevated MEGA’s internationalization and professionalization to new heights. The 253 submissions from the professional group further demonstrate the industry’s recognition of MEGA’s platform value. Behind these numbers lies the best proof that creativity knows no borders and a vivid illustration of multicultural integration.
This year, we adopt “Immersive” as our theme, which represents not only an exploration of creative expression but also a forward-looking vision for future learning and experiential spaces. Today, we not only celebrate the 5th MEGA but also witness a moment of special significance—the official unveiling of the Immersive Dome Cinema at XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang). This pioneering space, integrating teaching, research, creation, and industrial practice, will serve as a vital component of XJTLU’s future-oriented learning spaces, providing students with an unprecedented arena for creative experimentation.
Our original intention in building it is not to showcase our technological prowess but to inspire and unleash students’ creativity. In today’s era of rapid AI and immersive technology development, we face a fundamental choice: do we let technology become wings that expand human imagination, or do we let humanity become subservient to technology? XJTLU’s answer has always been clear—we use technology to serve human growth and enhance creativity, while simultaneously using human wisdom and emotion to enrich technology with meaning.
“Immersive” is not merely a technological form but a cognitive approach and experiential philosophy. As sound, light, and imagery break through the constraints of traditional screens, the boundaries between creator and audience, technology and art, reality and virtuality are redrawn. We hope that every young person who walks into this space can feel this conviction: you are the masters of technology, not passive users; your creativity is always more precious than any technology.
As the nurturing ground for MEGA, the Academy of Film and Creative Technology is a practical example of XJTLU’s innovative ecosystem integrating “industry, academia, research, government, and society.” MEGA, this flagship project, embodies not just a competition but an open, continuously evolving international creative ecosystem—here, Media conveys values, Exhibition sparks new dialogue, Graphics breaks the boundaries of expression, and Arts nourishes the human spirit.
Through five years of accumulation, MEGA has grown from a regional event into a creative festival with international and global influence. Today’s unveiling of the Immersive Dome Cinema injects new dimensions and energy into MEGA. Looking forward, I hope MEGA will become a bridge connecting education and industry, transforming student works into market value; become a window for cross-cultural dialogue, where creative wisdom from different civilizations converges; and become a frontier for immersive technology exploration and application, leading the development of future media arts and contributing XJTLU’s wisdom to the construction of a global creative education ecosystem.
Finally, let us embrace diversity with an open mind, understand differences with an inclusive spirit, and explore the unknown with innovative courage. May every participant find like-minded partners at MEGA, experience unique creative possibilities in the Immersive Dome Cinema, and gain growth and inspiration that transcends the works themselves.
Thank you again for your enthusiastic participation and strong support. Let’s together write an even more brilliant chapter for MEGA and shape a better future with creativity!
Professor Youmin Xi
Executive President, XJTLU