Festival wraps with a glittering awards ceremony and a sold-out psychedelic showcase in Boulder, Colorado
Dome Fest West 2025 came to a dazzling close last night at the Fiske Planetarium in Boulder, Colorado, with a star-studded awards gala honouring exceptional work in the fulldome medium. The evening concluded with the sold-out screening of “Altered Realms,” a psychedelic-themed programme that capped four days of innovative screenings, workshops, and immersive experiences. The festival continues to cement its reputation as North America’s leading fulldome event.
The 2025 edition honoured outstanding creativity and technical brilliance across an array of fulldome categories:
- Sphere of Light Award: God, Science, and Our Search for Meaning
- Best Artistic Feature Film: LIMBOPHOBIA
- Best Artistic Short Film: Eternal Habitat
- Best Musical Feature Film: Everest: Opera in the Planetarium
- Best Musical Short Film: Samósura
- Best Educational Film: Our Colourful World
- Best Science Film: Dark Biosphere: Betting on a Living Universe
- Best Environmental Film: Close Encounters
- Best Children’s Film: The Stellars: Mission Green
- Best Narrative Film: What Lies Beyond the Woods
- Juror’s Choice Award: Secrets of the Forest
- Innovation Icon: STRATUM
- Best Interactive Experience: Cosmic Carousel
- Best Live Experience: The Ark 2.2.22
- Audience Choice Award: Temporal and Starry Animals (tie)
“The calibre of work showcased at this year’s festival demonstrates the remarkable evolution of fulldome as both an art form and a powerful tool for education and storytelling,” said Ryan Moore, Executive Director of Dome Fest West. “From cutting-edge interactive experiences to deeply moving narrative journeys, these winning productions represent the boundless creative potential of the dome.”
After the awards presentation, attendees took part in the sold-out “Altered Realms: Psychedelic Journeys, Healing Waves, and Cosmic Wisdom” experience—a hypnotic blend of sound, visuals, and philosophy curated specifically for the immersive 360° dome environment.
The line-up featured an array of mind-expanding titles, including:
- Samósura
- Our Oasis
- Have a Safe Trip
- White Birds Worship the Phoenix
- LIMBOPHOBIA
- The Ark 2.22.22 (Selections From Live Show)
- Trust The Universe: The Philosophy of Alan Watts
- Visual Soundbath 360: Cosmogenesis (Live Performance)
“The Altered Realms programme exemplifies our commitment to pushing boundaries in immersive storytelling,” Moore added. “These works invite audiences to experience the dome not just as a venue for entertainment or education, but as a transformative space for self-discovery and expanded consciousness.”
Dome Fest West 2025 concludes today, following four immersive days filled with screenings, panel discussions, interactive installations, and live shows. The festival’s evolution, including the debut of the Fulldome Forward Expo, reflects the growing enthusiasm for fulldome experiences across creative, educational, and commercial sectors.
Preparations are already underway for Dome Fest West 2026, with official dates to be announced later this year.
