All session proposals received during the PanelPicker entry period are eligible for your vote to help shape the 2025 Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.

How to Vote

Ready, set, vote! To participate in the voting process from August 6–18, visit panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote and sign in or create an account.

Once you are signed in, filter proposals by conference (SXSW or SXSW EDU), format, title, description, tags, and speakers in the search field.

Each voter can vote once per proposal – selecting "arrow up" for yes or "arrow down" for no. Have a question for the organizer? The Comments section is a great place to post all of your questions and leave constructive comments about the proposals you vote on.

Inside the PanelPicker Process

Your input is very important in terms of shaping the look and feel of the March event. Community votes make up 30% of the final programming decision. Plus, input from the SXSW Staff (30%) and PanelPicker Evaluators (40%) helps ensure that lesser-known voices have as much of a chance of being selected to speak at SXSW as individuals with large online followings.

PanelPicker Evaluators consist of 200+ industry experts from around the globe and make up 40% of the PanelPicker final programming decision. Evaluators provide feedback on all submitted proposals. SXSW Staff input comes in at 30% with a goal to fill any gaps in relevant subject matter, striking a balance between new and veteran speakers. Together these percentages help determine the final Conference lineup announced later in the season.

Pro tip: Subscribe to the Conference Community Newsletter to stay in the SX know.

The post PanelPicker Community Voting Ends Sunday, August 18 appeared first on SXSW.

PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform developed to encourage the community to pitch their proposals for our Conference programming for SXSW 2025 from March 7-15. This easy, two-step process allows the SXSW community to have a voice in what creative and thought-provoking programming is selected.

Tips for PanelPicker Success

• Follow the instructions and read the FAQ. Reading the PanelPicker FAQ will give you important information about SXSW and more valuable tips for creating a great proposal.

• Create a future-focused, original proposal that shows what you’re passionate about. Often SXSW previews what you’ll be talking about next year and beyond in tech, culture, music, and film. Give us your perspective on what lies ahead and why.

• Depth and specificity. SXSW attendees want advanced, in-depth information, so be sure to delve into the particulars of a topic. The more specific a proposal is, the better. Drill down to what really matters.

• Your title should reflect your description. Your title is going to be fighting for attention with hundreds of other titles in PanelPicker, so it’s important for your title to be direct and explanatory. The community should be able to understand what the proposal will cover without reading your description. Remember: think simple, accurate, and succinct. Tip: Avoid using ALL CAPS in your title and proposal.

How can you ensure that your session idea stands out? Dive into our tips for constructing the perfect proposal and mark your calendar for upcoming webinars from the SXSW Conference team.

To kickoff applications, SXSW Programmers will host a special virtual PanelPicker Best Practices & AMA Webinar this Thursday, June 27. RSVP and fill out the questionnaire in advance with your specific questions.Throughout July, gain even more advice and answers to FAQs from SXSW Programmers during PanelPicker Office Hours.

The post Speak at SXSW 2025: PanelPicker® Applications Open Through July 21 appeared first on SXSW.

What better treat to get you through the spooky season than a sneak peek at what's in store for the 2024 SXSW Conference?

As we eagerly await the excitement of March, the SX community has been hard at work using PanelPicker® to shape the majority of Conference programming, along with guidance from the PanelPicker Evaluator Committee and SXSW Staff. Today we reveal 20+ community-sourced sessions for a snapshot of the most innovative new ideas from our global community taking the stage from March 8-15 at the SXSW Conference.

“From Grammy-winning video game soundtracks and humanoid robots to ocean carbon removal and quantum computing's current capabilities, this first batch of PanelPicker content covers so many topics that are compelling to the SXSW community," said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer and Co-President. "If you like today's announcement, then you'll love what we have planned for November 1, when we reveal hundreds more sessions that cover all aspects of the creative process, entrepreneurism, and discovery of the next big thing."

The SXSW Conference features 24 tracks of programming with topics spanning across the tech, film, television, and music industries. For 2024, we have added three new tracks: Artificial Intelligence, Creator Economy, and Fashion & Beauty. Explore today's sneak peek at 2024 sessions across all 24 tracks below.

SXSW continues to be the epicenter for creatives from all industries to find inspiration, so mark your calendars for November 1 when hundreds of PanelPicker sessions will be announced.

2024 Sessions Preview

2050 | How Humanoid Robots Expand Our Potential In Space & On Earth
Speakers: Shaun Azimi (NASA), Jeff Cardenas (Apptronik)

Advertising & Brand Experience | Branding Movements: Advertising for Impact
Speakers: Palika Makam (Ben & Jerry's), Johnny Perez (The National Religious Campaign Against Torture), Chris Plating (EP+Co), Bianca Tylek (Worth Rises)

Artificial Intelligence | How AI Can Solve the Biggest Challenges Facing Humanity
Speakers: Demis Hassabis (Google DeepMind)

Artificial Intelligence | Personalized Creative Companions: A Generative AI Workshop
Speakers: Johannes Saam, Brian Solomon (Framestore)

Climate Change | The Tide is High for Responsible Ocean CO2 Removal
Speakers: Sifang Chen (Carbon180), Jessica Cross (Pacific Northwest National Laboratories), Erika La Plante (Equatic), Katie Lebling (World Resources Institute)

Creating Film & TV | Virtual Production On a Micro Scale
Speakers: Rick Castañeda (Vibrant Penguin), Youna Kang, Stefan Li (Sushi Dragon Studios), Laura Reich (Vibrant Penguin)

Creator Economy | How To Maintain Creative Integrity When Audiences Control Us
Speakers: Matt Klein (Reddit)

Culture | Responsible Reporting on Anti-Trans Violence for Journalists
Speakers: Serena Daniari (Transgender Law Center), Imara Jones (TransLash Media), Arielle Rebekah (Trans & Caffeinated Consulting), Serena Sonoma

Culture | Wanderlust Crossroads: A Nomad and Expat Meet Up
Speakers: Beth Collier, Nadia Mitchem (Fortify Consulting, LLC)

Design | Human-Centric Immersive Experience Design
Speakers: Nancy Baker Cahill (Nancy Baker Cahill Studio), Neil Carty (Cosm), Chris Holmes (Fascinated By Everything), Guy Reid (Planetary Collective)

Energy | Boost Your Energy with Quantum
Speakers: Annarita Giani (GE Research), Pranav Gokhale (Infleqtion), Jeremy Renshaw (EPRI), Raiford Smith (The AES Corporation)

Fashion & Beauty | Fashion Meets Tech: Empowering Consumer Communities
Speakers: Aditi Banga (Meta / Instagram), Caroline Giegerich (Warner Music Experience), Cathy Hackl (Journey), Angelic Vendette (Ave Advisory)

Film & TV Industry | Reel Money: The Art of Indie Film Financing
Speakers: Carissa Knol (Knol Law PC), Sophia Yen (Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP), Viviana Zarragoitia (TPC)

Food | The First CRISPR Foods Have Arrived
Speakers: Tom Adams (Pairwise), Enock Chikava (The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), Daniel Moñino López (Wageningen University), Emily Mullin (WIRED Magazine)

Game Industry | Crafting A Grammy-Winning Video Game Soundtrack
Speakers: Stephanie Economou, Simon Landry (Ubisoft)

Government & Civic Engagement | Community is the Future of Public Safety
Speakers: Lisa Daniels (Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices), Jamila Hodge (Equal Justice USA), Greg Jackson (Community Justice Action), Dr Melissa Harris-Perry (Wake Forest University)

Health & MedTech | Why Is Healthcare Doing Less With More (Data)?
Speakers: Jan Berger (Health Intelligence Partners), Carrie Kozlowski (Upfront Healthcare)

Music & Tech | Data-Driven Touring: How to Turn Fan Data into Packed Shows
Speakers: Sam Alpert (Wasserman Music), Katherine Friedland (Mom+Pop Music), David McKay (Sofar Sounds), Aaron Summer (Mick Management)

Music Careers | In CTRL: Voices Behind The Board
Speakers: Gena Johnson, Gloria Kaba, Taylor Mims (Billboard), Suzy Shinn

Psychedelics | Psychedelic Entrepreneurship and the Underground Economy
Speakers: Mary Carreón (Mycopreneur), Reggie Harris (Oakland Hyphae), Robert Johnson (Mycroboost), Dennis Walker (Mycopreneur)

Sports | Changing the Game: Investing in the Future of Sports Tech
Speakers: Reed Albergotti (Semafor), Meredith McPherron (Drive by DraftKings), Michael Proman (Scrum Sports & Entertainment, Scrum Ventures), Jasmine Robinson (Monarch Collective)

Startups | Startup Hacks: Unleashing Innovation on a Shoestring Budget
Speakers: Mary Fernandes (Solis Agrosciences), Emily Lohse-Busch (39 North AgTech Innovation District), Keisha Mabry Haymore (Heydays HQ), Akeem Shannon (Flipstik)

Tech Industry | Quantum Computing: Real, Revolutionary, Right Now!
Speakers: Rima Alameddine (IonQ), Jay Boisseau (Vizias), Heather Higgins (IBM Quantum), Bob Sorensen (Hyperion Research)

Transportation | LA's Roadmap to Zero Emission Transportation: 2028 and Beyond
Speakers: Patty Monahan (California Energy Commission), Matt Petersen (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator), Kameale Terry (ChargerHelp!), Stephanie Wiggins (LA Metro)

Workplace | Life After Big Tech: Where Are Laid Off Workers Now?
Speakers: Carmen Kiew (Codeword), Raphael Ouzan (A.Team), Jon Swartz (Dow Jones - MarketWatch), Alex Whedon (SHA257 LLC)

Workplace | UNSTUCK: Lessons From Tech Innovators to Win in Business
Speakers: Heather Kernahan (Hotwire Global)

XR | AR: Transforming Social Interactions & Live Events
Speakers: Fotoulla Damaskos (National Research Group), Chris Iles (Minnesota Twins), Dana Ware (ARound), Gerald Youngblood (Lenovo)

Explore Conference Tracks

There are plenty more spook-tacular SX announcements coming up this month! Subscribe to the Conference Community Newsletter for the latest updates.

Did you miss the first announcement for the 2024 season? Catch up now and get to know the first round of Featured Speakers including Rosario Dawson, Peter Deng, Alex Cooper, Tim Ferriss, and more. More Featured Speakers will be revealed on Tuesday, October 24.

Join Us At SXSW 2024

Get ready to immerse yourself in more opportunities for discovery, networking, learning, and career-enhancing connections than ever before at SXSW 2024 from March 8-16 in Austin, TX. Register and book your hotel for SXSW 2024 today!

Stay in the loop and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to event newsletters and check out SXSW News for the latest SX coverage.

Photo by Justin Zamudio

The post Quantum Computing, AI, Design, and More: 2024 SXSW Conference Preview appeared first on SXSW.

Something bright is peeking over the SXSW horizon, ready to shine a creative light on what's next – and that includes you! Applications for SXSW 2024 are now open.

Deep in the heart of SXSW, the creative pulse from our community keeps us going long after the March event ends. Across the globe, the conversations continue, the music plays on, the films roll, the tech advances, and y'all keep on creating, problem-solving, inventing, and sharing stories that connect us. (Can we get a "yee-haw" for that?)

It's time to once again assemble for another historic event packed with discovery (and tacos). We are calling on YOU – the industry pioneers, artists, innovators, storytellers, and doers – to showcase your amazing projects and ideas at SXSW 2024 from March 8-16 in Austin, TX.

A new season kicks off with multiple ways to participate at the 2024 SXSW Conference & Festivals. Applications are now open for Music Festival Showcasing Artists and two tech-centered competitions, SXSW Pitch and Innovation Awards.

This is your chance to be a part of one of the most diverse, collaborative, and inventive communities in the world. Take a further look at these participation categories below and stay tuned for more information on deadlines, eligibility requirements, and tips.

Film & TV Festival submissions are set to open on August 1, 2023 along with SXSW 2024 registration and housing. Keep your eyes on SXSW News and subscribe to our newsletters for the latest 2024 SXSW event updates.

PanelPicker Community Voting

SXSW PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform for the Conference. We encourage creative thinkers to enter speaking proposals that reveal ahead-of-the-curve solutions to these problems, as well as present win-win outcomes and unexpected discoveries about the resilience of the human condition.

Who knows what you want to see at SXSW better than you? Your input is very important in terms of shaping the look and feel of the 2024 events. During Community Voting from August 8-20, browse proposals, leave comments, and vote for sessions. Learn more and get ready to cast your votes!

Music Festival

The SXSW Music Festival brings together artists, industry leaders, and music lovers from around the world to celebrate the magic of live music – from legendary performers to the most exciting new talent.

Apply for the opportunity to perform at the 2024 SXSW Music Festival taking place from March 11-16. As a Showcasing Artist, you’ll gain unparalleled access to an audience of industry professionals, international media, and new fans.

Music Festival Deadlines:

• Early Entry Deadline: Friday, August 25

• Final Deadline: Friday October 27

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT.

Apply Now

Film & TV Festival

The SXSW Film & TV Festival is known for launching a high caliber and diverse program of film, TV and XR projects before enthusiastic and influential audiences that drive conversation and buzz for months to come.

Applications for the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival are open now through October 3. Check out this years screening categories, premiere status and eligibility for more information on how to become an Official Selection.

Film & TV Festival Deadlines:

• First Deadline: Tuesday, August 29

• Second Deadline: Tuesday, September 19

• Final Deadline: Tuesday, October 3

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT.

Apply Now

SXSW Pitch

SXSW Pitch returns for its 16th year to showcase some of the global startup ecosystem's most exciting, innovative, and cutting-edge technology.

SXSW Pitch provides an outlet for companies to present the latest ideas to a panel of industry experts, early adopters, and representatives from the Venture Capital / Angel Investor community. 2024 categories include Artificial Intelligence, Voice & Robotics; Enterprise & Smart Data; Entertainment, Media & Content; Extended Reality and Web3; Future of Work; Food, Nutrition & Health; Innovative World Technologies; and Smart Cities, Transportation & Sustainability.

SXSW Pitch Deadlines:

• Early Entry Deadline: Sunday, September 10

• Final Deadline: Sunday, November 12

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT.

Apply Now

Innovation Awards

The SXSW Innovation Awards recognize the most exciting creative developments in the connected world, celebrating the ever-widening variety of technological advancements, achievements, and discoveries.

Five finalists in each category will be chosen to exhibit their projects at the seventh annual Innovation Awards Finalist Showcase during SXSW 2024, where the Finalist Judges will determine the winner in each category and the Best of Show. SXSW audiences attending the Finalist Showcase will also vote to determine the winner of the People’s Choice award.

Innovation Awards Deadlines:

• Early Entry Deadline: Sunday, September 10

• Final Deadline: Sunday, November 12

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT.

Apply Now

Festival participants and competition finalists are announced after applications close later in the season. During SXSW in March, various ceremonies are held to celebrate these creatives and announce the winners. Explore our Awards page for a complete list of awards categories and take a look back at 2023 winners.

Save the Date

Get ready to get involved and join us at SXSW 2024! Register to attend and book your hotel beginning on August 1, 2023. Stay tuned for more information on SXSW Badges, housing, and additional application categories.

While you await the 2024 SXSW season launch, relive exciting 2023 Keynotes, Featured Sessions, Film & TV Festival red carpets, Music Festival showcases, and more on our official YouTube Channel.

Journey further back through SXSW Iconic Moments to watch even more exclusive content from the SX archives.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. Subscribe to event newsletters and check out SXSW News for the latest SX coverage.

Teaser Photos (top-bottom): SXSW Arrow - Photo by Ann Alva Wieding; 2023 SXSW Panel - Photo by Jakayla M. Canaday; 2023 Showcasing Artist, Dream Wife - Photo by Nick Piacente; 2023 SXSW Pitch - Photo by Sabrina Macias; and 2023 SXSW Innovation Awards Winners - Photo by Andy Wenstrand.

The post 2024 SXSW Applications Now Open: Music Festival, SXSW Pitch & More appeared first on SXSW.

Announcing over 350 sessions curated from our global community and spanning the world's of tech, film, music, and beyond, each of which will ignite conversation and collaboration at SXSW 2023. (Cue the cinematic score and commence your programming journey into 2023: A SXSW Odyssey.)

Over the last few months we've sorted through thousands of entries via PanelPicker®. In fact, this season saw a 50% increase in proposals from last year. From community votes to Evaluator Committee and SXSW Staff input, the Conference programming slate has arrived — a key part of the premium content set for this year's event.

"We're excited to host so many innovative thinkers across many different pursuits and professions," said Hugh Forrest, SXSW Co-President and Chief Programming Officer. "The staff has selected the best of the best from thousands of speaking proposals with a unifying theme of extraordinary creative thinking and exceptional creative solutions. We can't wait to showcase all of these amazing sessions next spring in Austin."

Across the 25 Tracks of programming, notable participants include Blackbird.AI, Grammarly, Cheddar, Duolingo, Reddit, Meow Wolf, Google, Sony Pictures, Epic Games, The Walt Disney Company, Indeed, McKinsey, LEGO Group, Shopify, IBM, Spotify, Accenture, Warner Music, Wizards of the Coast, MIT Mobility Initiative, Partnership on AI, Axios, and many more.

Browse session highlights across 25 Conference tracks below and explore the rest of this exciting announcement on the SXSW Schedule.

Session Highlights By Track

2050

March 10-14 | This programming focuses on long-range, big-picture thinking, with topics that range from quantum breakthroughs and interplanetary expeditions to life-extension research and novel applications of scientific discoveries.

• Organic Qubits: Quantum Computing Through Nature
• Habitability on Earth and Beyond
• Does “Mind Control for Good” Exist?

View Track Sessions

Advertising & Brand Experience

March 10-14 | Examine the current and future thinking on strategies to engage audiences through traditional, digital and experiential marketing practices. These sessions are geared towards agencies and organizations that want to better understand new ways of connecting with their communities.

• Brand POV in a Crisis: Speak Out or Shut the F Up?
• Priming, Rhyming, Timing + Other Marketing BS
• Social Trends: Separating the Signal From the Noise

View Track Sessions

Cannabis

March 10-12 | Explore the opportunities and challenges that cannabis businesses face today, while taking a deep dive into the companies, ideas and products that will drive the industry forward over the coming years.

• Can the Union of Equity and Tech Save Cannabis?
• No More Silos: Advancing Cannabis Social Equity
• The Art of Cannabis and Food Pairings

View Track Sessions

Civic Engagement

March 10-13 | Some of the world’s most forward-thinking voices gather to discuss programs and policy directions, as well as current political realities. This programming also covers activism and strategy for effecting change in the face of the destruction of political norms.

• How to Write and Pass Your Own Law
• Evolving Content Moderation: The Next 10 Years
• You're Hired: The Impact of College in Prison

View Track Sessions

Climate Change

March 10-13 | Programming in the Climate Change track covers the consequences of soaring temperatures and rising oceans, while also showcasing the most promising efforts on mitigating the effects of global warming.

• What if Someone Tries to Re-Engineer the Climate?
• Life on a Reforested Planet
• Can Plastic-Eating Enzymes Save Our Planet?

View Track Sessions

Creating Film & TV

March 10-14 | Explore the creative process behind film and episodic content, with an emphasis on the collaborative nature of the medium. Topics in this track include casting, sound design, editing, and screenwriting, as well as virtual production and the use of game engines in the filmmaking process.

• Women Writing Genre and Badass Female Leads
• Making Music Docs That Aren’t One Note
• Spectrum and Skin Tone: Lighting for Faces

View Track Sessions

Culture

March 13-17 | Highlighting how humanities, arts and relationships help individuals and communities share their unique experiences, the Culture track includes fashion, dance, visual arts, sexuality, libraries, museums, and literature.

• Periods on Tiktok!? Using Content to Crush Stigmas
• Who Do You Want To Be When You Die?
• Disability Representation in Future Stories

View Track Sessions

Design

March 10-14 | Learn how top designers, developers, artists and creatives build our physical, digital and virtual worlds with purposeful intent. Design track programming underscores how design thinking helps society achieve our most important goals.

• Designing Tech for Children's Well-Being
• Data Art: Processes and Perspectives
• Design Practices for Tomorrow’s Housing

View Track Sessions

Energy

March 10-12 | Explore the problems and solutions of energy production and delivery at every scale, and how new approaches can improve access and equity for communities.

• Nuclear Power: Our Most Valuable Climate Solution?
• Hydrogen Energy: Climate Hope or Climate Hype?
• Reaching Critical Climate Goals Requires Everyone

View Track Sessions

Film & TV Industry

March 10-14 | Take a look at the current state and upcoming trends in film and television, viewed through the independent lens of SXSW. Focusing on the business side of the industry, these sessions will cover distribution, financing, representation, and the ever-changing nature of film and television.

• Film Distribution in Metaverse and Gaming
• A Conversation with Eric Deggans
• Disability & Horror: Identity & Community

View Track Sessions

Food

March 10-12 | Digest the ways that technology and policy can be leveraged to change how food can be grown, distributed, cooked, and experienced in healthier and more sustainable ways.

• Futuring Food Systems: A Seat At the Chef’s Table
• AgroTech Innovators Tackling Africa’s Food Crisis
• 2 Degrees From Disaster

View Track Sessions

Game Industry

March 12-14 | With a focus on the game industry’s continued ascent as a dominant entertainment platform, this programming will emphasize how music content and other media is increasingly migrating to these systems, as well as examine how other societal changes are reflected in what we play.

• Black Joy Within Gaming Culture
• The Future of Play: New Platforms, Games and Tech
• Dungeons, Dragons, and Development Across Decades

View Track Sessions

Health & MedTech

March 10-13 | Addressing how technological and social changes are impacting one of the world’s largest industries, the Health & MedTech content will cover everything from patient-centric care and biohacking to health equity and drone-assisted organ transplants.

• Hello World: Brain Computer Interfaces at Scale
• Innovating Organ Transplant Supply Chains with UAS
• The Post-Roe Fertility Journey

View Track Sessions

Markets & Economies

March 13-15 | Analyze the many changes in our systems of commerce that are a direct result of the recession, the pandemic, the rise and fall of crypto, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other disruptions in our current world.

• The Hidden Culprits Behind Inflation
• The Disruption That Built the Payments Revolution
• Evolution of the Private Markets

View Track Sessions

Media Industry

March 10-12 | Spotlighting the trends driving change, this programming covers the current media landscape, the need for societal changes to be reflected in the people who populate the newsroom, and the impact of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and deepfakes.

• AI in Newsrooms: What’s the Impact on Journalism?
• Building an Antiracist Newsroom
• The State of Journalism: Funding, Safety and Trust

View Track Sessions

Music & Tech

March 13-17 | From virtual pop stars to next-generation streaming services, technology has re-invented the way we create, discover, distribute and experience music. Music & Tech sessions showcase the promise and potential pitfalls of these innovations and trends.

• Bring The Noise: An Immersive Revolution in Music
• Is Elvis Back From the Dead? AI's Impact on Music
• The Ethics of Gaming a Release

View Track Sessions

Music Careers

March 13-17 | Whether you’re an emerging artist or someone who has spent years in one of the many fields that are part of this ever-changing business landscape, this programming will provide valuable guidance and insights into enhancing your position in the music industry.

• Who Gives A Sh!t About Indie Music?
• How To Release an Album in the TikTok Era
• Nothing Boring with the Copyright Royalty Board

View Track Sessions

Psychedelics

March 10-12 | As therapeutic applications of psychedelics gain more traction in the mainstream consciousness, explore how breakthrough research and a growing business environment will impact the future applications of these novel and traditional drugs.

• Psychedelics for the Frontlines
• How We Changed Our Minds About Psychedelics
• Building an Equitable Psychedelic Medicines System

View Track Sessions

Sports

March 11-13 | Tackle the breakthroughs in technology, biometrics, data analysis, fan experiences and media that promise to reshape this global industry.

• New Tech Scores Big with the Next Gen Sports Fan
• Why Women's Sports are Growing at an Insane Pace
• Crafting a Post-Pandemic Fan Experience in Sports

View Track Sessions

Startups

March 10-13 | The brightest new entrepreneurial ideas can come from anything, anyone, and anywhere. The Startups track covers the unexpected founders, funders, business plans, revenue models, success stories and epic fails that make up the addictive experience of launching a new venture.

• VCs: Accelerate into a Downturn for Dividends
• Scaling Fast in Legacy Dominated Sectors
• The Highs and Lows of Being a First-Time Founder

View Track Sessions

Tech Industry

March 10-15 | Featuring the people, platforms, software, hardware and virtual systems that are driving the world’s next wave of change, these sessions balance exciting discoveries against a world that has grown more skeptical about the benefits of the digital revolution.

• How Purpose Can Guide Responsible Tech
• Robots For Building In The Wild
• Will Quantum Change The Way We Bank?

View Track Sessions

Transportation

March 14-17 | Recent and upcoming technological advances are radically transforming the way we get from here to there. While electric vehicles are a major focus of this track, sessions will also examine the evolution of autonomous, new aviation breakthroughs, and the most exciting new ideas in micro-mobility.

• Making Electric Mobility Practical for All
• What Robots Can Teach Us About Autonomous Vehicles
• The Next Aviation Revolution: Advanced Air Mobility

View Track Sessions

Travel & Leisure

March 13-17 | Lockdowns and travel restrictions reaffirmed how important it is for us to discover new surroundings. The Travel & Leisure track uncovers the destinations and new ways of experiencing them that have become increasingly popular, as well as the challenges the industry continues to face.

• Accessibility: The Next Big Thing in Tourism
• Back to the Future of Travel: Short-Term Rentals
• Consumer Experience in a Recovering World

View Track Sessions

Workplace Revolution

March 10-14 | The pandemic accelerated radical transformations in the way we work. This track focuses on how we continue to move forward, the societal impacts of the evolving workplace, and the changing relationship between employees and employers.

• Future Proof Workplace Through Digital Inclusion
• Bypassing the College Degree
• The Workforce Needs Financial Wellness, Not Snacks

View Track Sessions

XR & Metaverse

March 12-14 | Covering the most exciting immersive experience breakthroughs from virtual and augmented realities to the intertwining of worlds through the metaverse, this content navigates the potential of these mind-bending technologies.

• How XR is Revolutionizing the Music Industry
• Live Performance in the Metaverse
• A Guide to XR Content Finance and Distribution

View Track Sessions

Explore all confirmed Conference programming and more on the SXSW Schedule to help you customize your own list of must-see events.

Join Us

Register to attend SXSW 2023 to celebrate the convergence of the tech, film, television, and music industries across a variety of programming formats and special events from March 10-19 in Austin, TX.

SXSW registrants get primary entry to the respective Conference tracks and events of their badge type as well as Convergence tracks, Exhibitions, and Comedy Festival showcases. Plus, enjoy secondary access to other Conference tracks and festival programming.

Take the Badge Quiz to select the Conference tracks and Festivals that most interest you to discover which badge and arrival date best fits your needs.

Keep up with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

The Bedroom Music Producer Takeover – SXSW 2022 – Photo by Melissa Bordeau

The post 350+ Sessions Announced for the 2023 SXSW Conference appeared first on SXSW.

Calling all creatives – it's the final deadline countdown! Applications close for this season's final two categories on November 13: SXSW Pitch and Innovation Awards.

Explore open application categories below with more information on important deadlines, eligibility requirements, and tips. Don't miss your chance to showcase your work at SXSW 2023 in front of a global audience of industry leaders, media outlets, press, investors, fans, and beyond.

Discover programming and event announcements throughout the season on our News feed. Mark your calendars for March 10-19 and join us at SXSW 2023 in Austin, TX.

Open Applications

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT

SXSW Pitch

Pitch your innovative startup at the annual SXSW Pitch competition in front of a live audience and panel of expert judges. Plus, be a part of product demonstrations by the most ambitious talents in the world with the creative new ideas to change it.

Join the ranks of SXSW Pitch alumni with over 82% receiving funding and acquisitions in excess of $14.5 billion.

Early Deadline: September 11, 2022
Final Deadline: November 13, 2022

Learn More

Innovation Awards

The SXSW Innovation Awards recognize the most exciting, most promising and most inspiring new endeavors across 13 different categories. This competition highlights new projects that have been launched in the last 12 months from new or established companies.

Early Deadline: September 29, 2022
Final Deadline: November 13, 2022

Learn More

Applications for PanelPicker, Music Festival, Film & TV Festival, and the Art Program are closed for SXSW 2023.

Get Ready For SXSW 2023

Join us for the 2023 SXSW Conference & Festivals in Austin, TX from March 10-19. Register to attend today and book your hotel through SXSW Housing & Travel for the best Austin deals and locations.

While you await announcements for the SXSW 2023 season, relive exciting 2022 Keynotes, Featured Sessions, Film & TV Festival red carpets, Music Festival showcases, and more on our official YouTube Channel.

Journey further back through SXSW Iconic Moments to watch even more exclusive content from the SX archives.

Keep up with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Photos (top): Ecocide Law: How 200 Words Might Save the Planet – SXSW 2022 – Photo by Michelle Edmunds; Surfbort at Hotel Vegas – SXSW 2022 – Photo by Renee Dominguez; Artificial Intelligence, Robotics & Voice Technologies – SXSW Pitch 2022 – Photo by Isaiah Alonzo; Film Festival Pretty Problems Q&A – SXSW 2022 – Photo by Kaitlyn Kilpatrick; Attendees Using VR – SXSW 2022 – Photo by Stephen Olker; (Teaser) SXSW Film Awards – SXSW 2022, Glitter Ain’t Gold – Photo by Aaron Rogosin

The post Apply to Participate at SXSW 2023: Final Deadline November 13 appeared first on SXSW.

10/25/22 Update: 350+ PanelPicker Sessions Announced »

Each year, SXSW calls upon its creative global community to help identify innovative new ideas and the visionaries behind them. The majority of Conference sessions are sourced and voted on by the SX community from PanelPicker®, along with input from SXSW Staff and the PanelPicker Evaluator Committee.

Before we reveal the lion's share of all community-sourced programming on October 25, we want to give you a sneak peek of 2023 SXSW PanelPicker sessions with participants from AEG, Bad Robot Games, Duolingo, NASA, The New York Times, Pax, Sundance Institute, Waze, and many more.

"Today's announcement showcases the scope of cutting-edge information we will provide for 2023 SXSW Conference registrants," said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer. "We can't wait to reveal the exponentially larger set of career-enhancing and mind-expanding content with our community later this month."

Get an early look at what's in store for the 2023 Conference below including programming track designations and PanelPicker proposal pages (a behind-the-scenes look at the selection process).

2023 Sessions Preview

Can the Union of Equity and Tech Save Cannabis? (Cannabis)
Speakers: Vince Ning (Nabis), Michelle Mendoza (Sweet Flower), Steven Jung (Pax), Tanisha Robinson (The Parent Company)

The (Data) Science of Moneyballing Motorsports (Sports)
Speakers: Beth Paretta (Paretta Autosport), Bruno Senna (Senna Foundation), Felipe Parages (Valkyrie), Toni Calderon (Speed Group)

The Decentralization of Art as We Know It (Culture)
Speakers: Tom McLeod (Arkive), Kelly Huang (KCH Advisory), Gaby Goldberg (TCG Crypto), Kyle Chayka (The New Yorker)

Digital Equity for the Next Gen (Tech Industry)
Speakers: Elizabeth Lindsey (Urban Alliance), Angela Siefer (National Digital Inclusion Alliance), Joe Paul (Byte Back)

Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution: A Handbook for Entrepreneurs (Startups)
Speakers: Uri Levine (Waze, Moovit)

Funding Your Indie Film: From Short to Feature (Film & TV Industry)
Speakers: Sophia Yen (Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP), Caroline von Kuhn (Sundance Institute), Jenifer Westphal (Wavelength Productions, LLC), Jonathan Gardner (Cohen Gardner LLP)

The Future of Play: New Platforms, Games and Tech (Game Industry)
Speakers: Eden Chen (Pragma Platform), Jonathan Lai (a16z), Anna Sweet (Bad Robot Games), Nate Mitchell (Mountaintop Games)

Futuring Food Systems: A Seat at the Chef's Table (Food)
Speakers: Kwame Onwuachi (5th Floor Hospitality), Adrian Lipscombe (40 Acres Project), Tavel Bristol-Joseph (Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group), Tiffany Derry (Tiffany Derry Concepts)

#GalacticAccess: The Future of Accessible Design (Design)
Speakers: Anna Voelker (SciAccess), Apurva Varia (NASA Goddard Space Center), Azubuike Onwuta (Think and Zoom), Viktoria Modesta (Modestar)

Looking to Our Ocean for Climate Solutions (Climate Change)
Speakers: Margaret Leinen (Marine Sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego), Somini Sengupta (The New York Times), Ken Buesseler (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Making Electric Mobility Practical for All (Transportation)
Speakers: Toby Russell (Shift), Candice Xie (Veo), (Will Graylin (Indigo Technologies), Annie Hudson (MIT Mobility Initiative)

Making Music Docs That Aren’t One Note (Creating Film & Episodics)
Speakers: Stanley Nelson (Firelight Media), Sabaah Folayan (Firelight Media)

Meet Me in the Music Metaverse: New Fan Experiences (Music & Tech)
Speakers: Andrew Klein (AEG), Sam Schoonover (Goldenvoice)

Navigating Calculated Risk on Social Media (Advertising & Brand Experience)
Speakers: Rachel Karten (Milk Karten), Zaria Parvez (Duolingo), Julian Gamboa-Ramos (Maximum Effort)

Remote Work: A Gamechanger for Rural America (Workplace Revolution)
Speakers: Sara Sutton (FlexJobs), Kade Wilcox (Rural & Remote), Mika Cross (U.S. Federal Government/Strategy@Work, LLC), Lori Adams (National Association of State Workforce Agencies)

A Songwriter’s Guide to Branding: The Power of No (Music Careers)
Speakers: Evan Bogart (Seeker Music), Larry Wade (Decibel Entertainment / Nice Life Recording Company), Bonnie McKee (N/A), MNDR (Amanda Lucille) Warner (MNDR)

VR in Psychedelic Therapy - A Friend or a Foe? (Psychedelics)
Speakers: Walter Greenleaf (Stanford University), Skip Rizzo (University of Southern California), Murat Yucel (Monash University), Agnieszka Sekula (Enosis Therapeutics)

What’s the Right Way to Travel? (Travel & Leisure)
Speakers: Abby Rapoport (Stranger’s Guide), Cassim Shepard (Distinguished Lecturer, City College, City University of New York), Katalina Mayorga (El Camino Travel)

Will AI Revolutionize or Wreck Criminal Justice? (Civic Engagement)
Speakers: Nita Farahany (Duke University), Preet Bharara (WilmerHale)

Explore Conference Tracks

Consider this a PanelPicker appetizer with the main course of all community-sourced sessions to follow on October 25.

While you wait, be sure to explore the 25 Tracks of Conference programming across tech, film, and music industries.

If you missed our first announcement of the season, catch up now and get to know the first round of Featured Speakers including Amy Webb, Allyson Felix, Cecile Richards, Guy Moot, and more.

Join Us

Register to attend SXSW 2023 to celebrate the convergence of the tech, film, television, and music industries across a variety of programming formats and special events from March 10-19 in Austin, TX.

SXSW registrants get primary entry to the respective Conference tracks and events of their badge type as well as Convergence tracks, Exhibitions, and Comedy Festival showcases. Plus, enjoy secondary access to other Conference tracks and festival programming.

Take the Badge Quiz to select the Conference tracks and Festivals that most interest you to discover which badge and arrival date best fits your needs.

Keep up with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Photo by Raegan Labat

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The 2023 SXSW PanelPicker® is now accepting applications through July 24!

Global professionals at every level come together during the Conference to participate, learn, and network while exploring what’s next in the worlds of tech, entertainment, culture, and beyond. Our PanelPicker® platform allows the SXSW community to have a significant voice in what creative and thought-provoking programming is selected for SXSW and SXSW EDU.

Be part of leading the conversation along with thousands of other creatives at SXSW 2023. Learn more about the PanelPicker application process below.

Application Process

The application process is simple: visit panelpicker.sxsw.com and complete the online form by July 24 at 11:59pm PT.

Upload proposals related to tech, film, and music in a variety of session formats including panels, solo presentations, mentor sessions, workshops, and more.

Proposals should be specific, well-titled, and illustrative of the impact of your ideas and the depth of research behind them. Read our application tips to learn about creating a great proposal. Entries will be reviewed and selected by SXSW Staff.

Help shape the Conference programming at SXSW 2023 from March 10-19! Propose your session idea through PanelPicker® by the final deadline of July 24 at 11:59pm PT.

Apply Now

Disability: Is the Future of Music Accessible? – SXSW 2022 – Photo by Bob Johnson

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Each year the SXSW Conference is set apart by its diverse and extensive programming that brings together the worlds of tech, film, music, and beyond. From March 11-20, we will host a celebration of ideas and collaboration like no other. Announcing an additional 80 new sessions, submitted by you for you through PanelPicker®, as well as this year's designated Summits.

New Sessions Across 15 Tracks

Joining the Conference program today are thought leaders from groundbreaking companies and agencies such as NASA, Pandora, Google, Microsoft, Verizon, Adobe, and Clubhouse, to name a few.

Browse highlights from today's announcement below including sessions across 15 Tracks of programming and our new Summits format. Explore the complete list of announced sessions in the SXSW Schedule.

• What Makes TikTok Tick
  Jorge Ruiz (TikTok) and Pranav Yadav (Neuro-Insight)

• How to Build an Inclusive Tech Culture
  Pooja Brown (Stitch Fix), Erica Lockheimer (LinkedIn), Colette Stallbaumer (Microsoft), and Maria Yap (Adobe)

• No Code, No Worries: The Future of No Code Tech
  Wade Foster (Zapier), Gina King (Zapier), Howie Liu (Airtable), and Kenan Saleh (Lyft)

• LGBTQ+ Rights and Politics in Texas
  Rebecca Marques (Human Rights Campaign), Ricardo Martinez (Equality Texas), Emmett Schelling (Transgender Education Network of Texas), and Jessica Shortall (Texas Competes)

• Solving for Global Homelessness Through Innovation
  Brett Hagler (New Story Charity), Dmitri Julius (ICON 3D), and Gretel Uribe (ÉCHALE)

• YOU Are YOU: How Biometrics Will Unlock the Future
  Caryn Seidman-Becker (CLEAR)

• Decolonizing the Film Industry Pipeline
  Miguel Alvarez (The University of Texas at Austin), Ya'ke Smith (The University of Texas at Austin), and Vanessa Uhlig (The University of Texas at Austin)

View All Sessions

2022 Summits

New for 2022, Summits delve further into specific topics in a variety of formats including panels, solo presentations, and workshops. These sessions occur at a single location and the majority run two days.

"Summits provide a deep dive into many of today's most timely, most talked-about topics. This new format makes it even easier for SXSW attendees to get information that can lead them to new brainstorms, new collaborations, and new opportunities." – Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer

Browse session highlights below from each of the eight Summits with more to come.

Cannabis Industry Evolution

As the cannabis legalization movement continues to gain momentum across the globe, so does the immense opportunity for entrepreneurs, plus new and established businesses. The Cannabis Industry Evolution Summit explores today’s successful companies, along with ideas and products that will push the industry forward over the coming years.

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Connecting with XR

XR is connecting the digital and physical worlds, connecting people from across the world in a deeper, more meaningful way, as well as bringing artists from different practices together. Join us as we explore where this technology is today and where it’s headed.

View More

Finance 3.0

The Finance 3.0 Summit will examine the future of money, assets, contracts, and more through the lens of the new technologies disrupting how people invest, trade, and do commerce.

View More

Funding & Investors

The Funding & Investors Summit focuses on the investment path by bringing together leaders from the investor community to discuss using proven strategies for successful returns, understanding the problems within this financial landscape, and navigating the growth of new markets that are ripe for funding.

View More

Future of Work

The last two years have accelerated changes in the way we work, and led many to re-examine what we could and should expect from our employers. The Future of Work Summit focuses on how we move forward and the societal impacts of the evolving workplace.

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The Space Rush

Analysts predict that the space economy will more than triple in the decade ahead as more startups enter into a field traditionally dominated by governmental organizations and contractors. The Space Rush Summit programming will provide a peek into the next-generation of space exploration with emphasis on the new businesses and organizations at the heart of it all.

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The State of Psychedelics

Psychedelics have played a role in human culture for centuries in both spiritual and recreational settings, and recent breakthrough research of psychedelics as a treatment for a wide range of psychiatric conditions shows promise. The Psychedelics Summit aims to explore the medical, economic, and ethical implications of these tripped-out chemicals.

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Athlete Empowerment

From navigating the name, image, likeness (NIL) landscape to taking a stand on relevant current events, today’s top athletes are moving beyond wins and losses as a way to measure success. The Athlete Empowerment Summit focuses on the lessons that creative professionals can learn from competitors who are taking more direct control over their careers.

View More

Stay tuned for more programming announcements throughout the SX season.

See You in 2022

Join us March 11-20 in Austin, TX and online for SXSW 2022! Register today and book your hotel early for the best available rates.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at SXSW 2019 – Photo by Samantha Burkardt/Getty Images for SXSW

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To kick the season off, we are excited to announce the nucleus of our SXSW Conference programming – over 160 sessions curated by the SX community, for the SX community from the 2022 PanelPicker®.

"The first Conference programming announcement of the season lays a foundation for our core areas of coverage — the tech, film and TV, and music industries. This year we’re more focused than ever on building a future that is equitable and sustainable across society, culture, technology, and policy," said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer. "Over the coming months we will expand this content with Keynotes, Featured Speakers, and more sessions that foster new ideas and creative problem solving. As always, SXSW remains an essential destination for global professionals, and we look forward to gathering in Austin and online."

Participants include Adobe, Epic Games, Kill Rock Stars, Meow Wolf, Natural Resources Defense Council, Nickelodeon, The Oversight Board, Spotify, Sundance, Unity, and VMware, to name only a few. Browse session highlights by Track below before diving into all announced sessions.

PanelPicker® Entry Round Two

In addition to today's announcement, we are reopening PanelPicker® from October 13-22 for a second round of applications! Entries will be reviewed and selected by SXSW Staff then announced later this season.

While crafting your proposal, be sure to explore new SXSW programming elements including Summits, deep dives into specific topics; a Podcast format; and our 15 Tracks. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity – enter your session idea today.

To experience this great programming and more, register to attend by October 14 at 11:59pm PT to save and then book your hotel for SXSW 2022. We'll have more programming announcements coming next week, so stay tuned!

2022 Session Highlights By Track

2050

The new 2050 Track is the home for long-range, big-picture thinking that pushes the limits of what is humanly possible by showcasing how innovative thinking can be a force for positive change in our troubled world.

Highlights:

Advertising & Brand Experience

The Advertising & Brand Experience Track examines the ways that companies are activating in unique and compelling ways to connect with changing consumer priorities.

Highlights:

Civic Engagement

Formerly known as Government & Politics, the Civic Engagement Track brings together some of the world’s most forward-thinking voices at the local, national, and international levels to discuss programs and policy directions that can help bridge our current divisions.

Highlights:

Climate Change

The urgency of action around the climate crisis cannot be overstated. This programming covers the many consequences of soaring temperatures, rising oceans and mass extinctions across the globe.

Highlights:

Culture

The Culture Track explores the different traditions, norms, and expectations that help us gain a better understanding of one another while maintaining a sense of stability.

Highlights:

Design

This long-standing track, which has served as the foundation for almost all SXSW Conference programming, encompasses everything related to interface, interaction, and purposeful intent.

Highlights:

Film & TV Industry

The Film & TV Industry Track dives into the current and future state of film and television.

Highlights:

Future of Music

The Future of Music Track forecasts how new hardware, software and virtual technologies will continue to redefine the way we create, deliver, experience and engage with the sounds of tomorrow.

Highlights:

Game Industry

Gaming’s immersive storytelling and socially-driven digital experiences have become the dominant entertainment medium of the 21st century. This programming delves into how the industry has incorporated more traditional forms of content across a variety of platforms, and where this increased reach and influence will lead the entertainment industry in years to come.

Highlights:

Health & MedTech

An area of focus that has seen huge growth at SXSW in recent years, the Health & MedTech Track centers on how social and technological changes are impacting one of the world’s largest industries.

Highlights:

Making Film & Episodics

Explore the creative process behind film and episodic content with an emphasis on the collaborative nature of the medium.

Highlights:

Media Industry

The Media Industry Track examines the trends driving change in the media landscape and the power of the companies who control the message.

Highlights:

Startups

SXSW remains one of the world’s top destinations for entrepreneurs from all different industries. The Startup Track covers the new founders, new ideas, and new revenue models that are powering today’s most exciting new companies.

Highlights:

Tech Industry

The Tech Industry Track highlights the new innovations that will drive the world’s next wave of change, balancing these breakthroughs against a world that has grown more skeptical about the benefits of the digital revolution.

Highlights:

Transportation

The Transportation Track acknowledges how technology is radically transforming various transit systems across the globe. This new programming for 2022 reflects how much more tech-driven activity, innovation, and deal-flow we are now seeing in this industry.

Highlights:

View All Sessions

See You in 2022

Join us March 11-20 in Austin, TX for SXSW 2022! Register today and book your hotel for the best available rates. Stay tuned for more announcements throughout the season.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for the latest SX news.

Austin Convention Center Photo by Aaron Rogosin

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Calling all creatives! Participation opportunities for the 2022 SXSW Conference & Festivals are now open for Film Festival, Innovation Awards, SXSW Pitch, and Gaming Awards. Learn more about how to become part of the event below.

2022 Applications

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT

PanelPicker® Round Two Entries

PanelPicker® has been reopened for a second round of applications from October 13-22. Enter your session ideas for the 2022 SXSW Conference.

Learn More

Film Festival Submissions

Premiere your film in front of press, film industry, and film lovers at the SXSW Film Festival. Featuring provocative dramas, documentaries, comedies, genre standouts and more, the festival is known for its high caliber and diverse program and its smart, enthusiastic audiences.

• Early Entry Deadline: Tuesday, September 14, 2021
• Second Entry Deadline: Tuesday, October 5, 2021
• Final Entry Deadline: Tuesday, October 19, 2021
• Texas High School Shorts Deadline: December 14, 2021

Learn More

Gaming Awards

The SXSW Gaming Awards celebrate the wide reach of gaming across areas such as art, design, narrative, gameplay, cultural innovation, and more.

• Entry Deadline: December 9, 2021

Learn More

Showcasing Artist Applications

Showcasing Artist Applications are now closed

Innovation Awards

The SXSW Innovation Awards prize creative innovation in the connected world, celebrating the ever-widening variety of technology, projects, products, achievements and discoveries. Innovators from across the digital industry have the opportunity to enter their exciting, new work in this competition – open to all projects, products, and developments launched or made in calendar year of 2021.

Early Entry Deadline: August 19, 2021
Regular Entry Deadline: November 11, 2021

Apply Now

SXSW Pitch

Pitch your innovative startup at the 14th annual SXSW Pitch in front of a live audience and panel of expert judges. Plus, be a part of product demonstrations by the most ambitious talents in the world with the creative new ideas to change it. Join the ranks of SXSW Pitch alumni gaining millions in funding along the way with a combined total of over $9.4 billion.

Early Entry Deadline: September 9, 2021
Regular Entry Deadline: November 11, 2021

Apply Now

See You in 2022

Mark your calendars for March 11-20, 2022! Registration opens on September 14, 2021.

For the latest SX updates, check out our News feed; subscribe to SXSW Event Updates; and follow us across the socialverse – Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Photo by Aaron Rogosin

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This year more than ever, the future is unknown. Technology, biohacking, consumer space travel, quantum physics, radical life extension, drone delivery — these concepts that once belonged in science fiction are now part of our immediate future. At SXSW Online 2021 we will journey into the unknown with sessions addressing the new.

Discover highlighted Conference sessions below from this year's theme An Uncharted Future.

A New Space Age: The Virtual Collective Experience

Space has always been the area beyond what we have been capable of reaching, with advances recently, it's time to redefine what space means to us culturally and socially. Our belief at PHI and Felix & Paul Studios is that the new ways in which art has intersected technology mirrors our progress into the stars. The experience of space has been, by necessity, technologically mediated, and with immersive technology, the boundary is no longer getting to space, but rather, how we can bring space back down to earth. Through ∞INFINITE, our project with the International Space Station (in association with TIME Studios) will explore our capacity as a species to go beyond our limits, and reflect collectively on humanity’s place among the stars together.

Speakers: Myriam Achard (PHI), Felix Lajeunesse (Felix & Paul Studios), Phoebe Greenberg (PHI)

Bugs And Kelp, Feeding Our Post-Pandemic Planet

As we build a better food system out of the pandemic, cellular meat or bleeding plant patties may seem like a great idea, but bugs and kelp might just be our best bet to substantially change how we feed people on a global scale. Alternative crops like kelp, algae and seaweed, or micro-livestock like farmed insects are often overshadowed by flashier techno-food solutions with wild valuations, but both are nutritionally dense and resource efficient methods to grow food that can be deployed today, with historic and cultural roots worldwide. We'll explore industry hurdles and growth opportunities in this nascent space; look at broader consumer perceptions driving larger companies to take stock of alternative proteins, and what the future holds for farmers and founders building this new market.

Speakers: Tom Philpott (Mother Jones), Kerry Rupp (True Wealth Ventures), Mohammed Ashour (Aspire Food Group), Liz Koutsos (Enviroflight)

Journey to a Better Brain

People are always seeking to be better whether it’s stronger, faster, or smarter. The recent explosion in our understanding of the brain is empowering us to take control of our own brain health, and is accompanied by a wave of products powered by neuroscience, from brain boosting nootropic pills to devices that stimulate the brain’s inherent electrical signals directly. New invasive technologies like Elon Musk’s Neuralink show great promise, but brain surgery is a formidable barrier to scaling. Non-invasive alternatives like EEG and tES could be part of Fitbit for the brain to come, but come with their own practical and ethical issues. This conversation highlights emerging tools coming out of both academia and industry, and exciting experiments happening around the world.

Speakers: Iain McIntyre (Humm), Vivienne Ming (Socos)

Rocketing Forward in Gene Therapy

Imagine walking into a hospital with your child who has an unknown disease. A nurse takes a DNA sample and in days identifies the disease’s genetic cause. Expert engineers construct a vector to replace the mutated gene, and manufacturing is mobilized to produce it, generating a life-saving treatment in months. Believe it or not, we are entering that era now. Expert gene therapists are churning out potential therapies for devastating diseases, and companies are building the manufacturing infrastructure to bring the therapies to those in need. In this panel, a scientist on the frontiers of gene therapy, the executive driving the development to make these therapies a reality for all and a parent actively searching for a therapy will discuss the uncharted territory that is gene therapy.

Speakers: RA Session (Taysha Gene Therapies), Kasey Woleben (Cure SURF1 Foundation and Rare Village Foundation), Sukumar Nagendran (AveXis Inc), Sarah Richards (Canale Communications), Laura Sepp-Lorenzino (Intellia Therapeutics)

Check out the seven conference themes and browse all sessions under An Uncharted Future.

View Sessions

Register for SXSW Online 2021

From March 16-20, experience Conference sessions and Keynotes, music showcases, film screenings, world-class networking, online exhibitions, networking events, mentor sessions, professional development, and more, all in a digital setting. SXSW Comedy Festival content will be announced as we get closer to the March event.

Stay in the SX know – subscribe to our email lists and read SXSW News for announcements, event updates, programming features, and more throughout the season.

Register Now

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