SONA Education PARTNERSHIPs

SONA Immersive Storytelling Festival brings together filmmakers, artists, and creators working in XR, immersive film, games, and digital media. Each year, students and international creators present work that explores culture, technology, and new ways of telling stories.

Participation in these programs strengthens student portfolios and college applications by demonstrating creativity, collaboration, and intercultural learning.

Submit your work, join our student programs, or partner with us.

Our Partners

  • CETIC develops education and technology initiatives across Asia, linking creative media, data science, and immersive technologies. Through CETIC, SONA partners with leading schools and universities in Hong Kong, mainland China, and beyond.

  • Innovares is a CETIC initiative focused on global culture and emerging technology. Its programs explore Creative Tech (film, animation, XR, games) and Human Tech (data science, social impact, AI). SONA is part of this broader vision to nurture creative, tech-savvy students in Asia and the US.

  • The University of Hong Kong collaborates through their Talented Program to connect top students with creative technology opportunities, partnering with CETIC and SONA.

Programs

Summer Camps and Courses
Students participate in immersive media workshops in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and at Carnegie Mellon University. Over five to ten days, they develop immersive projects using VR, AR, and multimedia tools, working in teams with faculty mentors. Selected projects are invited to exhibit at SONA.

Winter and Spring Camps
Short programs run at The University of Hong Kong and CETIC partner schools. These focus on immersive storytelling, cultural perspectives, and hands-on experimentation with digital tools.

Online Lectures
SONA and Innovares host an online lecture series introducing students to immersive storytelling, global culture, and creative technology. Topics include immersive design, cultural storytelling, and the ethical responsibilities of new media.

Exhibitions & Student Work

Each year, SONA features a student section alongside international works. Past exhibits have included XR documentaries, 360° films, interactive installations, and AR projects. Students from HKU, CDNIS, and CMU have contributed projects that reflect cultural identity, innovation, and collaboration.

Selected student works are invited to festivals, conferences, and exhibitions internationally.

Get Involved

For Students
Apply to join our camps and online courses. You will learn immersive media skills, collaborate with peers, and create a project ready to share at SONA and beyond.

For Schools
Partner with us to bring immersive storytelling to your students. Past collaborations have included CDNIS, HKU, and CETIC schools in Asia.

For Sponsors and Donors
Support SONA through sponsorship packages or donations. Sponsorship offers visibility during the festival and on promotional materials.

News & Updates

Keep up with the latest announcements, including calls for submissions, student highlights, and new collaborations.

Follow us on Instagram: @sona.cmu.festival