Where storytelling meets
social + environmental impact

Join us at the USC School of Cinematic Arts on November 6, 7, and 8 for three unforgettable days of cinema, engaging panels, hands-on workshops, and creative connections designed to drive social impact.

About the Festival

The 2026 SCA Impact Weekend is an inaugural gathering of creative artists from across USC’s campus and the greater Los Angeles community, united by a commitment to exploring how moving images and digital arts can help shape a more just world.

Produced in collaboration with USC’s Division of Media Arts + Practice; and Arts and Climate Collective’s Eco Media Festival; SCA’s Media Institute for Social Change; SCA’s Community Impact Council; and the Immersive Experience Alliance’s Social Impact BuildFest, the event brings together partners dedicated to cultivating the next generation of media makers addressing our most urgent environmental and social challenges.

Hosted at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, the festival convenes emerging artists, seasoned industry veterans, and community changemakers for three vibrant days of discovery, dialogue, and collaboration.

Festival Schedule

Friday, November 6

  • 3-8:30 PM | MEDIA ART EXHIBITION
    • Eco Media Festival 
    • Explore art that examines eco and social justice issues through a variety of media.
    • Room: SCA 108 Lobby
  • 3-8:30 PM | WORKSHOP – BUILDFEST
    • IXA Social Impact BuildFest
    • A weekend-long event where students prototype immersive tech experiences that tackle real-world challenges.
    • Room: SCA Gallery
  • 3-5:00 PM | PRESENTATION/SHOWCASE
    • Students Make Impact
    • Community Impact Council 
    • A showcase of SCA student work from across the school's programs.
    • Room: SCA 108
  • 5:30-7 PM | PANEL/KEYNOTE
    • Nina Yang Bongiovi in Conversation with (tbc)
    • Community Impact Council
    • TBC
    • Room: SCA 108
  • 7-8:30 PM | RECEPTION
    • Opening networking mixer with light refreshments!
    • Room: SCA 108 Lobby

Saturday, November 7

  • 12-8 PM | MEDIA ART EXHIBITION
    • Eco Media Festival 
    • Explore art that examines eco and social justice issues through a variety of media.
    • Room: SCA 108 Lobby
  • 12-8 PM | WORKSHOP -– BUILDFEST
    • IXA Social Impact BuildFest
    • A weekend-long event where students prototype immersive tech experiences that tackle real-world challenges.
    • Room: SCA Gallery
  • 12:30-2:30 PM | SCREENING
    • Eco Media Festival
    • Environmental short films by a global selection of post-secondary student filmmakers. 
    • Room: SCA 108
  • 1-3 PM | WORKSHOP – STORY LAB
    • Media Institute for Social Change
    • Intimate script development feedback session for student filmmakers working in impact spaces. 
    • Room: SCA 255
  • 2-6:30 PM | TABLING
    • Community Impact Council 
    • A chance to meet SCA, USC, and other community groups who are working in the social and environmental justice space.
    • Room: SCA 108 Lobby and Courtyard
  • 3-5 PM | SCREENING
    • Media Institute for Social Change
    • A selection of films made by students and alumni that comment on the state of our world and the need for social change.
    • Room: SCA 108
  • 5:00-6:30 PM | RECEPTION + ART WALK 
    • Eco Media Festival
    • Meet the artists behind the art! Explore the media art installations while the artists are present to discuss their work.
    • Room: SCA 108 Lobby
  • 6:30-8 PM | PANEL
    • MISC Social Impact Panel
    • Media Institute for Social Change 
    • A conversation with filmmakers and alumni on distribution, fiscal sponsorship, and ethical filmmaking.
    • Panelists include: Ian Mark, Candace Williamson, and Jean Paulo Lasmar 
    • Room: SCA 108

Sunday, November 8

  • 12-6:30 PM | MEDIA ART EXHIBITION
    • Eco Media Festival 
    • Explore art that examines eco and social justice issues through a variety of media.
    • Room: SCA 108 Lobby
  • 12-4 PM | WORKSHOP – BUILDFEST
    • IXA Social Impact BuildFest
    • A weekend-long event where students prototype immersive tech experiences that tackle real-world challenges.
    • Room: SCA Gallery
  • 12:00-1:30 PM | PANEL
    • Sustainable Production Practices 
    • Community Impact Council + Eco Media Festival
    • A conversation about sustainable production practices in film production.
    • SCA 108
  • 2-4 PM | SCREENING
    • Eco Media Festival
    • Environmental short films by a global selection of post-secondary student filmmakers. 
    • Room: SCA 108
  • 4-5:30 PM | PRESENTATION
    • IXA Social Impact BuildFest
    • A final presentation of the work undertaken by the student participants during the weekend-long immersive tech buildfest.
    • Room: tbd
  • 5:30-7 PM | RECEPTION
    • A final opportunity to meet and talk with like minded creatives. 
    • Room: SCA 108 Lobby

Festival highlights

Immerse yourself in a diverse lineup of creative programming built to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of socially conscious storytellers.

Film Screenings

Discover thought-provoking documentaries, fiction short films addressing crucial social themes.

Media Art Exhibition

Experience cutting-edge digital exhibitions and multimedia installations exploring contemporary societal challenges.

Workshops

Sharpen your craft in a peer-lead screenwriting Story Lab. Or participate in a weekend-long IXA Social Impact BuildFest.

Panel Discussions 

Learn from fellow creators, nonprofit leaders, advocates, and producers passionate about meaningful storytelling.

Plan your visit to Impact Weekend

Mark your calendar for November 6, 7, and 8. Find venue locations, parking directions, transit suggestions, and local accommodation details to ensure your festival experience is smooth and memorable.

Get in touch

Festival Venue

University of Southern California 
School of Cinematic Arts
900 W. 34th St.
Los Angeles, California, 90089