DFW RETURNS IN 2026!
Submissions Now Open for Dome Fest West 2026!
Dome Fest West returns to Boulder, Colorado, and we’re officially accepting submissions for the 2026 festival! From April 23–26, 2026, we’ll once again take over the legendary Fiske Planetarium to showcase the world’s most compelling immersive content and we want to see what you’ve been creating.
We’re calling on immersive content creators of all kinds to submit work that’s designed for, or adaptable to, the dome. Whether you’re a seasoned fulldome filmmaker or experimenting with spherical storytelling for the first time, your voice and vision matter. And this year, we’re expanding! Our brand-new Giant Screen category is open for projects designed to shine on massive 70ft screens, perfect for those larger-than-life visual narratives.
Submissions are now open on FilmFreeway. Don’t wait—share your work, expand your reach, and be part of the fulldome movement at Dome Fest West 2026.
2025 AWARD WINNERS
Sphere of Light Award
God, Science, and Our Search for Meaning
Juror's Choice Award
Best Children's Film
Best Musical Feature Film
Everest: Opera in the Planetarium
Best Narrative Film
Best Artistic Feature Film
LIMBOPHOBIA
Best Artistic Short Film
Eternal Habitat
Best Educational Film
Best Musical Short Film
Samósura
Best Environmental Film
Best Science Film
Dark Biosphere: Betting on a Living Universe
Best Live Experience
Best Interactive Experience
Cosmic Carousel
Innovation Icon
STRATUM
Audience Choice
Temporal and Starry Animals
2025 FILM FESTIVAL
Dome Fest West 2025, held from May 1-4, was an unforgettable experience, bringing together immersive media enthusiasts, filmmakers, and industry leaders for an extraordinary celebration of fulldome cinema. This year's festival was bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever before, delivering inspiring content, groundbreaking experiences, and invaluable connections.
As we look ahead to Dome Fest West 2026, stay tuned for more exciting announcements. Whether you're a returning visitor or planning to join us for the first time, next year's festival promises to be another unforgettable celebration of innovation and creativity.
New For 2026
Giant Screen Film Category
The Fulldome Forward Expo 2025, held on May 1st and 2nd, brought together industry professionals, artists, and enthusiasts from around the globe for an unforgettable two-day celebration of innovation and collaboration in the fulldome industry. This groundbreaking event served as a dynamic platform for exploring the cutting edge of immersive media.
From insightful panels to roundtable discussions, the Fulldome Forward Expo provided unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and discovery. Attendees connected with a diverse range of fulldome vendors, creators, and venue operators, fostering new partnerships and sparking creative ideas that will shape the future of immersive media.
2026 FESTIVAL VENUE
FISKE PLANETARIUM
University of Colorado Boulder
2414 Regent Dr, Boulder, CO 80309
We were excited for Dome Fest West 2026 to best hosted at the renowned Fiske Planetarium in Boulder, a location that seamlessly combines educational value with cinematic brilliance. This legendary venue, celebrated for its cutting-edge 8K digital projection, offered an extraordinary immersive viewing experience, making this year's festival exceptionally memorable.
During the festival, filmmakers displayed their innovative works in a setting tailored to enhance their creativity and ideas. The state-of-the-art technology at the Fiske Planetarium enriched each screening, expanding the frontiers of immersive cinema and inspiring all who attended.
What is
dome fest west?
Dome Fest West is a unique film festival and nonprofit organization, dedicated to the innovative field of immersive media and fulldome films. It stands as the only such festival in the U.S., creating an exclusive platform for filmmakers, planetarium directors, and immersive media vendors to come together, network, and showcase their work.
Dome Fest West is also a founding member of the Best of Earth fulldome competition, a global event that highlights the best in fulldome media.
dome fest west
#bestofearth
Congratulations to all the winners of the Best of Earth fulldome competition in 2025! Dome Fest West was proud to be a part of this landmark event, showcasing the best fulldome media from around the world. We hope that all of you enjoyed the showcase and that it inspired you to continue creating amazing content for fulldome.
We are also excited to announce that the Best of Earth competition will be returning in 2027. We look forward to seeing even more incredible fulldome productions and celebrating the achievements of the winners.
“Someday, in the not too distant future you’ll be able to go to a movie and the movie will be all around you. The movie will be over your head, it will be 360 degrees around you.”
– Steven Spielberg, TIME Magazine
2025 Sponsors
Presenting Level
Gold Level
Silver Level
Friends of the Festival Level
Partner Organizations
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