About the Experience

An immersive gathering that celebrates creativity, mindset, and the art of storytelling.

VASTXL Immersive Event

Debut Screening of Feature Film

‘The Imagination of a Phoenix’

Synopsis

After surviving a tumultuous divorce, a woman finds herself in a mental institute. Her path to rehabilitation is a perilous journey into her own psyche, where she must confront the haunting memories of her past. To truly heal, she must face the daunting choice: to accept her history or attempt to eradicate it completely, a decision with consequences that blur the line between reality and delusion.

Content Warning: All film presentations of ‘The Imagination of a Phoenix’ will include images of mental health, drug and substance use, strong and discriminatory language, sexual violence, suicide and self-harm, and violence.

Cast & Crew

Alicia Charles

Cast

Coray Montague-Sholay

Cast

Nicholas Beveney

Director

Cyrus Mirzashafa

Producer

Helen Howard

Executive Producer

Film Festival Entry

10 Min Max

Themes on Mental Health

Film Festival Entry

Masterclass

Kobna Holbrook-Smith

Masterclass Participant

Esther Baker

Masterclass Participant

Jeremy Zimmermann

Masterclass Participant

Valentine Nonyela

Masterclass Participant

About the Experience

An immersive gathering that celebrates creativity, mindset, and the art of storytelling.

Section

Masterclass

Creative, Mindset, The Business

Dive deep into the core pillars of a successful creative journey. This masterclass explores craft, mindset resilience, and the business mechanics behind memorable storytelling.

Luyanda Madope playing keys on a dark stage

Movie Soundtrack Listening Party

Luyanda Madope

Get Your Ticket

Tickets

Select Your Tickets

VAST EXPERIENCE

Sunday, February 8th

The Bond Digbeth · Birmingham

71Days

:

09Hrs

:

59Mins

:

30Secs

Accommodations by our Hotel Partners

We are proud to partner with these fine establishments to offer our guests and crew exceptional hospitality.

Aparthotel Birmingham exterior view

Aparthotel Birmingham

15% off for regular business travellers
161 luxury serviced apartments
Moments from Snowhill Plaza
On-site NISA supermarket
A stone's throw from Snowhill train station
Complimentary superfast Wi-Fi
5-minute walk to closest tram stop: Bull Street

To book, please use code: CNE15PA

Park Regis Birmingham luxurious room view

Park Regis Birmingham

253 Luxury rooms & suites
A range of Deluxe & Executive rooms
Luxury onsite car parking
Less than 1 mile from New Street Train Station
Well equipped fitness centre & Shakina Urban Spa
and more

To book, please use code: CNEBARB

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers covering ticketing, logistics, policies, and support.

Section 01

Ticketing & Entry

Ticket questions

01.01

Can I upgrade my ticket?

You can upgrade your ticket if the tier is still available by paying any difference in price.

01.02

What does my ticket include?

Each pass is designed to unlock a complete cinematic experience.

£25.95 ticketIncludes a goodie bag, a single popcorn serving, film screenings, masterclasses, and access to the soundtrack listening party.
£39.95 ticketIncludes a goodie bag, a single popcorn serving, food choices from our vendors, film screenings, masterclasses, and the soundtrack listening party.

01.03

I have not received my tickets?

If your confirmation email has not arrived, please check your spam folder and then contact us atinfo@vastxl.org.

Reminders for the experience are dispatched 48 and 24 hours before the event.

01.04

Ticket entry & Experience times

Entry time: 16:00
Bar closes: 23:00
Experience close: 00:00

01.05

Will tickets be available on the door?

Tickets will only be available throughevents.vastxl.org.

01.06

Can I get a refund?

Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by VAST XL, but they may be redeemed at an alternative VAST XL event when available.

Section 02

Logistics & On-Site

02.01

How do I pay for food and drinks?

The bar is card-payment only for the duration of the experience.

Food will only be available to guests who have purchased a premium day pass.

02.02

Can I bring food and drink into the experience?

No outside food or drink can be brought into the experience.

Refillable water bottles are allowed.

02.03

Can I bring a bag into the experience?

Yes, but all bags will be searched on entry.

02.04

Is the event undercover?

Film presentations, music performances, and the bar will be indoors. Food trucks and masterclasses are outside, so please prepare for changing weather conditions.

02.05

Directions and travel info

The Bond is a 10-minute walk from the Bullring, 13 minutes from New Street, and 9 minutes from Moor Street Station. It is also five minutes from Birmingham Coach Station.

Nearby parking

Trinity Street Car Park, Heath Mill Lane B9 4AL
North Yard Car Park, Gibb Street B9 4AU
Gallan Parking Ltd, Bordesley Street B5 5BL

For cyclists, bike parking can be found in the designated racks at the venue.

02.06

Food Allergies

Allergen information will be available from each food trader on the day. Guests who need to bring food or drink for medical reasons must contact us beforehand with supporting documentation.

Section 03

Policies & Support

03.01

Hotel recommendations?

For accommodation before or after the experience we recommend staying with our preferred partners Apart Hotel Birmingham (use code CNE15PA) and Park Regis Birmingham (use code CNEBARB) for a 15% discount.

03.02

Filming and photography

By purchasing a ticket to a VAST experience you consent to being filmed and photographed for promotional purposes.

03.03

Can I bring my pet?

Only registered service dogs are allowed on site.

03.04

Contact Email

If you have any questions not answered in the FAQs, email us atinfo@vastxl.organd include “NOT IN FAQs” in the subject line.

Press-only contact:vastcompany52@gmail.com.