OPEN CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
for admission to the program in
Immersive Technologies for Narrative Design and Virtual Production
Immersive Art School 2026

With this open call, the CSC ~ Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (Experimental Cinematography Center – National Film School, Italy), in collaboration with Region of Veneto, aims to identify, select and train students and professionals who will contribute to supporting the evolution of figures operating in the cultural and creative industries, strengthening professional skills and competencies in the audiovisual sector, with particular attention to fostering technological transition.
XR technologies (VR/AR/MR), Virtual Production and real-time engines are transforming audiovisual media, cultural heritage, technical training, and experiential marketing. LED walls with in-camera VFX reduce production time and costs; immersive prototypes accelerate R&D in automotive, architecture, heritage, and HSE sectors. In parallel, AI-assisted tools speed up concept art and lookdev for 3D assets creation, while requiring traceability (C2PA), clear policies, and compliance with copyright and related rights.

The National Film School of the “Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia” (Experimental Cinematography Center) announces selections for no. 16 places for the Immersive Technologies for Narrative Design and Virtual Production program.
The number of admitted students may be up to the maximum number of available places indicated.

Participation in the program is free of charge.

The program is co-founded by the Region of Veneto under the Programme Agreement DGR no. 1051/2022, project 7361-0002-1051-2023 “IMMERSIVE ART SCHOOL”.

The program will take place at the CSC Immersive & Performing Arts training center of Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, National Film School – Isola di San Servolo (Venice) from 09 March 2026 to 30 October 2026, Monday to Friday, approximately from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Program Curator: Daniele Tomasetti; QA – Quality Assurance Officer: Daniele Barone; Area Manager (Virtual Production & Technologies) / VP Lab Manager: Renato Pezzella.

At the end of the program, students who have successfully completed all courses will receive a certificate of attendance.

Attendance is mandatory.

The program will be conducted primarily in Italian and/or English.

All information regarding the program is published on the institutional website of the Fondazione Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia www.fondazionecsc.it

Educational Objectives
● To train professionals – creatives, technicians, and operational figures – capable of conceiving and crafting (storyworlds and immersive directing), building (design optimized 3D assets and real-time scenes), shooting (Virtual Production sets with LED volumes e tracking) and delivering (industry-ready prototypes and production dossiers that are legally compliant and secure).
● Translate narrative and functional objectives into engaging, comfortable, and accessible XR experiences.
● Set up and manage Virtual Production sets with LED volumes, camera-tracking and in-camera VFX pipelines.
● Design optimized 3D assets (retopology, UV/UDIM, LOD, PBR, lightmaps) for real-time renderings and virtual environments.
● Integrate real-time engines (Unreal/Unity), from profiling and optimization through packaging onto XR devices.
● Operate with the assistance of AI tools with compliance (AI Act, rights, releases, C2PA/ watermarking) and process documentation.
● Create Production Dossier featuring technical/experiential KPIs, roadmaps and distribution plans.

Professional Profiles upon Completion

● XR Experience & Narrative Designer
● Virtual Production Artist/TD (in-camera VFX)
● Real-Time Generalist (Unreal/Unity)
● Immersive Technical Director
● On-set VP Supervisor Assistant
● XR Producer/Coordinator

Teaching Structure
Teaching activities, divided between lectures, hands-on lab work, and project work, will be structured as follows:

● XR fundamentals, technical concepts, pipelines & safety
● Story Design & Immersive Directing
● 3D Asset Creation for Real-Time (Environment & Lookdev)
● Virtual Production & LED Wall (in-camera VFX + Volumetric)
● AI Act, Copyright, C2PA & Compliance
● Real-Time Engines (Unreal/Unity) & XR Integrations
● Project Work
● Showcase
● Curricular internship (optional)

Teaching Methodology
● Hands-on Learning: intensive labs, progressive exercises and real VP sets.
● Continuous Mentoring: coaching on individual projects and scheduled reviews.
● Industry Integration: sessions with industry partners, real-world case studies, professional standards.
● Transparent Assessment: evaluation rubrics for each module, shared upon course start.
● Safety first: training and operational checklists integrated during practical activities.

Admission Requirements

1) Educational qualification
By 30 September 2025, applicants must hold a secondary school diploma or an equivalent qualification (foreign qualifications must be translated in accordance with current regulations) which, regardless of citizenship, grants access to university studies.
2) Knowledge of Italian
Applicants must have a good knowledge of the Italian language.
3) Knowledge of English
Applicants must have a good knowledge of the English language
4) Other
Applicants must be EU citizens.

B) Application and Required Documentation

Only online submitted applications will be considered, starting from 7 January 2026, exclusively via the dedicated open call online system available on the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia website at the following link: https://bandisnc.fondazionecsc.it/home
Applications must be submitted no later than:

8 February 2026 at 12.00 noon (Rome time/CET)

Applicants who have not yet reached the legal age at the time of application must provide authorization from a parent or legal guardian. This authorization, together with a copy of the parent/guardian’s ID, must be submitted if the candidate is invited to attend the onsite selection interview. Applications submitted by minors are therefore accepted subject to reservation.

Each application must include, under penalty of exclusion:

1) A brief CV in Italian or English;
2) A motivation letter (one page maximum) explaining the reasons as aspirations for enrolling in the program;
3) A showreel (video, 3 minutes max);
Alternatively:
A PDF portfolio containing, for example, renderings, sketches, or project samples of XR contents (10 pages max);
Alternatively:
A link to online work (videos/images/project pages/demos).

Personal projects, exercises, works in progress, and early-stage prototypes are also accepted, provided they are clearly presented.
For each work, applicants must indicate their personal contribution/role within the project and, where possible, the tools used.

Candidates who have submitted all required materials and who, based on their declarations, meet the requirements of the Call, will be admitted to the selection process. However, the School will proceed with the verification of the eligibility requirements (such as the declared educational qualification) at the time admitted candidates submit the required documentation. If even one requirement is found to be lacking, the candidate will be excluded from the program, without prejudice to any sanctions for false declarations. Admission to the selection process and interview does not constitute proof that all requirements have been verified.

All communications from the Fondazione CSC will be sent to the email address provided by the candidate during registration. The Fondazione CSC assumes no responsibility for issues caused by incorrect or missing contact information.

The program coordination team may be contacted within the application deadline for clarification regarding documentation at: immersivearts@fondazionecsc.it

Evaluation of Submitted Materials
Following verification of eligibility, candidates to be admitted to the Immersive Technologies for Narrative Design and Virtual Production program will be selected by a dedicated Committee through evaluation of the submitted documentation and materials. The Committee may, at its discretion, invite candidates to an exploratory interview, which may be conducted remotely.

The ranking list will be drawn up based on the evaluation of qualifications and sample materials, and the outcome of any interview. The program may not be activated if fewer than 8 candidates are deemed eligible.

Selection Committee
The Selection Committee is appointed by the President of the Fondazione CSC. Members are chosen based on proven artistic and/or teaching expertise, in accordance with gender balance principles and equal opportunity promotion. Committee sessions are valid with a majority of members present; and all sessions are recorded in official minutes. All Committee members assume the same obligations and duties. Decisions are taken by absolute majority through open voting.

Evaluation Criteria
The Committee President sets the selection requirements for admission to the program.
Admission to the selection process, as determined by the Committee, is preceded by an application review process that consists in formally verifying the candidates’s possession of the requirements set forth in the Call for Application. Failure to meet the requirements set forth in the Call for Application precludes participation in the selection process and will result in the candidate’s exclusion. These requirements must be met by the closing date of the Call for Application and declared by that deadline. The Committee formalizes, through specific minutes, the reasons for the exclusion of candidates from the selection process. The Committee may, at any time, issue a reasoned decision to exclude candidates from the selection process due to failure to meet the required requirements.
The Committee assigns scores based on the criteria set out below, identifying the most suitable candidates for the program. Evaluation will consider general knowledge, artistic aptitude, motivation, and previous experience in creative fields.

The Fondazione CSC may ask the candidate to provide declarations and to correct erroneous or incomplete declarations or requests, which must be sent to the following email address: immersivearts@fondazionecsc.it within the peremptory deadline communicated by the Fondazione CSC.
The maximum score that can be given to each candidate is 30/30.
No justification will be provided for non-admission.

Communication of Call Results
The ranking list of admitted candidates will be published on the Fondazione CSC website www.fondazionecsc.it and in the “Amministrazione Trasparente” section at the following link: https://trasparenza.fondazionecsc.it/pagina807_esiti.html. For the purposes of possible replacement of candidates who withdraw, it will be possible to admit to the program other candidates in accordance with the ranking.
Publication of the ranking on the Fondazione CSC website constitutes official notification. No individual communications will be sent to candidates.

Accessibility and Inclusion
Candidates with disabilities (as per Italian law “legge 104/1992 art.3 comma 1 e 3”), invalidity (temporary or permanent), or specific learning disorders (DSA) (as per Italian law “legge 170/2010 e D.M. 5669/2011”) must submit relevant medical documentation within one week after the application deadline to: immersivearts@fondazionecsc.it.
Candidates are required to read the Program Regulations, published through the institutional channels of the Fondazione Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, which are considered an integral and substantial part of the Call for Application.The CSC assumes no responsibility for any errors resulting from inaccurate or missing communications from candidates.

Personal Data Processing pursuant to Legislative Decree “D.lgs. 196/2003”
In accordance with the provisions of UE Regulation no. 679/2016 (GDPR), the processing of personal data will be based on the principles of fairness, lawfulness, transparency, and confidentiality.
The data provided to the Fondazione CSC will be processed for purposes related to the completion of the training activity and in accordance with the related obligations, and requirements. The full privacy notice is available on the Fondazione CSC website and forms an integral part of this Call.

Responsible for the Process/Procedure Manager
Director of Administration, National Film School, Dr. Adriano De Santis.

Distribution Methods
This Call for Application and the selection results will be published on the Fondazione CSC website, as well as in the “Amministrazione Trasparente” section.

For information on the Call, please visit www.fondazionecsc.it or request information via email: immersivearts@fondazionecsc.it

dott. Adriano De Santis
Direttore Amministrativo
Scuola Nazionale di Cinema