Carnegie Mellon University
IDeATe

Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology

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May 07, 2025

Step Into the Story: CMU Hosts Inaugural Immersive Storytelling Festival

Where technology, emotion and the Humanities converge to transform how we experience narratives.

By Karen Richters

Step into a world where stories unfold beyond the page and screen — where you can walk through a narrative, hear its heartbeat and become part of the tale. That’s the spirit behind SONA Immersive Storytelling Festival, a new initiative launched by Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics (LCAL) and The Kenner Room.

Over three dynamic days, the festival brought together 18 filmmakers, artists and digital media creators to explore the evolving landscape of interactive and virtual storytelling. While its inaugural event has concluded, SONA continues as an active platform — a growing space where the art of storytelling is being redefined and reimagined.

View the full article on the LCAL news page.