If you have questions, please reach out to:

patrick.r.clark@colorado.edu or iml@colorado.edu

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Social Impact BuildFest 

The Social Impact BuildFest is an annual event hosted by the Immersive Media Lab (IML) and the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI). It is a weekend-long event that brings CU students, professionals, and innovators together. Our goal is to inspire and encourage this diverse group of participants to embrace community, storytelling, design and XR in order to create solutions for real problems they see around campus and Boulder every day.

Join us and be part of real social change!

In 2026, BuildFest is partnering with the Immersive Experience Alliance (IXA) on their mission to build a collaborative network that supports creators, educators, and students working at the intersection of technology and social good. The BuildFest will expand to four campuses thanks to the collective support and shared vision of IXA members, which include universities and key partners dedicated to immersive innovation and interdisciplinary learning.  

Theme: Belonging 

Belonging is the feeling of being seen, accepted, and valued within a group or space. In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to foster environments (both physical and digital) where individuals feel a genuine sense of connection and inclusion.

For BuildFest 2026, participating campuses will center the theme of Belonging as a creative and social foundation. Students will be invited to explore what belonging looks like in their own communities and prototype ways that emerging technology can help build more inclusive, connected, and empathetic experiences. 

Tech Partner: Scenery

Scenery as the official Tech Partner for the 2026 Social Impact BuildFest. Scenery is an Apple-native XR creation and storytelling suite that makes it possible to build high-quality, immersive experiences with no app download required. Designed for creatives of all levels, the platform allows students to prototype interactive experiences for both mobile and Apple Vision Pro using intuitive no-code and low-code tools.