STUDENTS at Barnsley College have made a name for themselves on the world stage by reaching the finals in a prestigious international competition.

The VIVE Mars Virtual Production Competition, held by HTC Vive - one of the forerunners in virtual reality (VR) technology - celebrates pioneering uses of virtual production technology.

The college recently implemented HTC technology including VR and camera track systems with the green screen virtual production studio.

This year’s competition was based on creating the best horror shot and included industry-leading professionals as well as students from renowned institutions world-wide.

Institutions like Shanghai University, a global leader in educational resources, and Berkeley College, ranked among the top film schools globally, claimed the top spots, though Barnsley College’s entry, Silicon Dreams, earned finalist recognition, marking a significant accomplishment for students and staff.

Thomas Martel, media lecturer, said: “Being recognised as a finalist in the VIVE Mars Virtual Production Competition is a monumental achievement for Barnsley College and a testament to the dedication and talent of our students.

“Competing on an international stage alongside prestigious institutions like Shanghai University and Berkeley College underscores the exceptional skills of our students.

“This accolade not only showcases our commitment to industry-standard education but also provides our students with valuable, real-world experience and a unique film credit at the further education level.

“We’re thrilled to receive world-wide recognition, and we look forward to further establishing Barnsley College as a leader in virtual production education.”