David Bowie: Unseen Unheard, a 3D documentary featuring hundreds of previously unseen images of the late singer, is among 69 extended reality (XR) pieces showcased at the 10th anniversary edition of Venice Immersive, a film festival section dedicated to innovative storytelling. Held on Lazzaretto Vecchio, a repurposed island near the Venice Lido, the event marks a decade of blending new technologies like virtual and augmented reality with traditional cinema. Organizers highlight that Venice Immersive has inspired similar sections at major festivals such as Cannes, Geneva, and Toronto. The festival describes its showcase as "not a retrospective," emphasizing that it focuses on new, evolving forms of media rather than revisiting past works. Liz Rosenthal, co-curator of Venice Immersive, explains that the field is changing rapidly, with new art forms being created in real time. She says the event is at a pivotal moment, with advancing technology shaping how stories are told. Looking ahead, she believes the next decade will bring even more transformation to the medium. David Bowie: Unseen Unheard is an immersive spatial-sound documentary created by Denis O’Regan, who was David Bowie’s official photographer. The experience spans eight screens and 84 hidden speakers, blending 12 of Bowie’s songs with O’Regan’s commentary and nearly 800 photographs. Developed with support from Bowie’s estate, the project reflects the singer’s love for innovation and technology. O’Regan says Bowie would have embraced the format, noting his history of experimenting with new ideas, such as his Bowie bonds and his online platform, Bowie.net. Venice Immersive features a diverse range of experimental works, many of which address pressing global issues. This year, climate change is a central theme, with projects like Solwata, set in the Solomon Islands, and Out of the Ashes, a documentary about the LA wildfires. Other highlights include immersive nature documentaries like Galápagos: The Last Eden and Disneynature’s Wolf, which explores Canada’s Ellesmere Island. Additionally, Smithsonian Starstruck offers a virtual journey through space, allowing users to witness the birth of a star. As Rosenthal notes, the festival has evolved from experimental projects to major works with global reach, ensuring these immersive experiences can be enjoyed beyond the island.