SXSW Sydney - 2025

SXSW SYDNEY® 2025 UNVEILS KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND NEW PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS ACROSS CONFERENCE, SCREEN AND GAMES

Hollywood icon Paul Feig and former Google X innovator Mo Gawdat announced as keynote speakers, with billionaire tech entrepreneur Lucy Guo also joining the SXSW Sydney line up this October.

South by Southwest Sydney® (SXSW Sydney) has today revealed exciting updates to its 2025 program, with several global leaders joining the conference, alongside an exciting array of films and  games set to take the stage this October.

The Conference Program has announced its first 50 sessions, in addition to two new keynote speakers, including:

• Paul Feig, revered director of hit films such as Bridesmaids, and creator of the cult favourite TV series Freaks and Geeks
• Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X and host of #1 mental health podcast Slo Mo

They join previously announced keynote speaker Meredith Whittaker, President of encrypted messaging app Signal.

Other newly announced featured speakers include Lucy Guo, the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire and the CEO and Founder of Passes; Lars Rasmussen, co-founder of Google Maps, Panathēnea and angel investor; and Niall Firth, Executive Editor of MIT Technology Review.

The Screen Festival is proud to announce that Paul Feig will receive the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Pioneer Award, honouring his groundbreaking contributions to genre filmmaking and film culture. To celebrate his storied career, a retrospective of his most beloved works will be screened, spotlighting his legacy as one of Hollywood’s most influential comedic filmmakers.

In addition, the Screen Festival also welcomes six feature films – By Design (starring Oscar nominee Juliette Lewis), $POSITIONS, Dead Lover, Zodiac Killer Project, The Last Sacrifice and Bokshi – as well as a host of short films, including the BAFTA-nominatedStomach Bug and Chasing The Party, produced by Oscar-winner Sam Rockwell.

The first 40 games to be joining the Games Festival Showcase have been revealed. Hailing from 26 countries, these games will be available to playtest and demo at the Games Festival’s new home: the ICC Sydney. More than 30 speakers and mentors will share their expertise through panels, hands-on workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions, with the first wave of sessions now announced—covering everything from indie marketing and global publishing to creative resilience and the future of storytelling in games.

This latest announcement brings the SXSW Sydney program to more than 100 speakers, 50 conference sessions, 75 artists, 40 games and 27 films — with hundreds more to be revealed in the lead-up to October. 

SXSW Sydney is proud to welcome back QMS and Accenture, this year as Major Conference Partners, to present Marketing & Media and Tech & Innovation respectively. This year’s program is strengthened by a dynamic mix of returning and new partners including The Growth Distillery, CyberCX and Charitabl — alongside long-time Super Sponsor Commonwealth Bank, proudly returning for the third consecutive year.

SXSW Sydney 2025 will dive deep into the most pressing trends shaping our world—from AI’s accelerating advancements and the future of work to quantum technologies, cybersecurity, sustainability and the ever-evolving creative industries. A must-attend event for professionals and innovators in leadership roles, SXSW Sydney runs from October 13-19, featuring 1,600 sessions and events including 400+ conference sessions, 150+ professional development sessions, 300+ music performances, 95 film screenings, 150 games and over 400 brand-led events.

SXSW SYDNEY 2025: 13 – 19 OCTOBER
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Announcing the first of many thought leaders, including CEO of GoFundMe, Tim Cadocan, Silicon Valley Robotics MD Andra Keay, Founder of Girls That Invest, Simran Kaur, and Australian Ambassador for Cyber Affairs Brendan Dowling, with hundreds of other creative, tech and business visionaries still to come. 

South by Southwest Sydney® (SXSW Sydney) has today revealed 40 speakers for its 2025 Conference, with this early announcement indicating the 3rd edition of the annual event is set to deliver an extraordinary lineup of global thought leaders, creative pioneers, and industry disruptors. 

This year’s event will dive deep into the most pressing trends shaping our world—from AI’s accelerating advancements and the future of work to quantum technologies, cybersecurity, sustainability, and the ever-evolving creative industries. A must-attend event for professionals and innovators in leadership roles, SXSW Sydney will be held from October 13-19.

As SXSW Sydney Head of Conference Fenella Kernebone explains: "You'll experience dynamic keynote sessions, powerhouse panel discussions, and hands-on industry workshops that deliver practical skills you can apply immediately. With a focus on innovation, leadership strategies, and experience-driven learning, you'll gain fresh perspectives to help you implement meaningful change in your organisation. This first release of speakers is just the beginning – prepare to build an even more comprehensive toolkit as we announce many more industry leaders!”

In Business & Leadership, discover how Tim Cadogan (CEO of GoFundMe) is using the data from millions of campaigns resulting in $30 billion in fundraising to implement AI-informed technology that enhances sharing, storytelling and overcomes the psychological barriers that prevent people from asking for help. You’ll also learn from Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM, who will provide you with actionable frameworks for inclusive leadership, organisational transformation, providing tools to foster gender equality within your own business. 

Within Technology & Innovation, gain strategic insights from Silvija Martincevic, CEO of Deputy, who will demonstrate how AI-powered workforce technologies are creating data-driven systems that boost productivity. In addition, a rare in-conversation with Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki, unpacking his ability to demystify complex concepts with infectious enthusiasm. 

And in Marketing & Media, learn from Tiffany Rolfe (Global Chair/Global Chief Creative Officer at R/GA – New York), who will show you how to develop strategic creative solutions that blend storytelling with technology to drive your business growth. Peter Greste (Professor of Journalism at UQ) will draw on his frontline experience to equip you with crucial frameworks for navigating today's complex media landscape, offering invaluable perspectives on information integrity.

Plan to be at SXSW Sydney in October, with these inspiring voices, a preview of the unprecedented gathering to come:

• Ethical Technologist Andi Mastrosavas, CEO of Pladia, a trailblazer reshaping digital responsibility
• Visionary Robotics Leader Andra Keay, Managing Director of Silicon Valley Robotics
• Consciousness Explorer Dr. Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, Neuroscientist & Author of “The Future Loves You"
• Public Policy Architect Aruna Sathanapally, CEO at Grattan Institute 
• Groundbreaking Cultural Commentator Benjamin Law, Journalist, Screenwriter and Broadcaster
• Global Digital Policy Shaper Brendan Dowling, Australian Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology
• Space Nutrition Expert Flávia Fayet-Moore, Founder and CEO of FOODiQ Global, revolutionising astronaut diets
• Game-Changing Sports Executive Jennie Sager, CEO of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) 
• World Surf League Commissioner, Jessi Miley Dyer and former Pro Surfer, shaping the future of the sport
• Quantum Physics Luminary Prof Jim Rabeau, CEO of DeteQt, transforming sensing technologies
• Leading Audio Content Strategist Josh Lindgren, Head of Podcasts at CAA, influencing the future of podcasting
• Advocate for Creative Innovation, Julie Eckersley, Award-winning Producer and Screen Executive
• Iconic Science Communicator Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki, Julius Sumner Miller Fellow at University of Sydney
• Elite Cyber Security Strategist Katherine Mansted, Executive Director of Cyber Intelligence at CyberCX
• Global Authority on Ethical Leadership Kirstin Ferguson AM, Author, Columnist, and Leadership Expert
• Change Maker Kyah Bell, Co-Founder of the Black Excellence Fund
• Champion of Evidence-Based Journalism Lisa Watts, CEO of The Conversation
• Barrier-Breaking Technology Leader Luli Adeyemo, Executive Director of TechDiversity
• Defining Voices in Women's Media Mia Freedman, Jessie Stephens and Holly Wainwright of Mamamia Out Loud
• Compelling Political Analyst Matt Bevan, Host and Writer of ABC's If You're Listening podcast
• International Emmy-Award Winner Neil Sharma, Writer and Director of captivating visual narratives
• AI Educator Nicholas Renotte, Head of AI Developer Advocacy at IBM, democratising advanced technology
• Creative Potential Unleasher Nicole Velik, Founder of The Ideas Bodega
• Cutting-Edge AI Transformation Strategist Noelle Russell, AI Executive highlighting the way forward
• Fearless Defender of Press Freedom Peter Greste, Professor of Journalism at UQ, former Foreign Correspondent
• Award-Winning Actor Remy Hii, featured in Netflix's ARCANE, WELLMANIA and Crazy Rich Asians
• Trailblazing Indigenous Aerospace Leader Renee Wootton, Director, New Market Development at Lanzajet
• Tourism Redefiner René de Monchy, Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand
• Media Futurist Ricky Sutton, Host of Future Media Podcast, predicting industry transformations
• Boundary-Pushing Performer Shuang Hu, Actor and Creator bridging eastern and western artistic traditions
• Modern Workplace Global Executive, Silvija Martincevic, CEO of Deputy
• Financial Empowerment Icon Simran Kaur, Founder of Girls That Invest, revolutionising women's wealth creation
• Sustainable Food Production Innovator Stela Willemstein, Director of JBS
• Digital Brand Innovation Definer Tiffany Rolfe, Chair & Global Chief Creative Officer at R/GA
• Global Giving Tech Leader Tim Cadogan, CEO of GoFundMe, transforming how communities mobilize support
• LGBTQ+ Business Inclusion Pioneer Todd Sears, US Founder & CEO of Out Leadership, driving corporate change
• Creative APAC Powerhouse Valerie Madon, Chief Creative Officer, McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific
• Science Sleuth Wendy Zukerman, Host and Executive Producer of Science Vs

SXSW Sydney 2025 will again feature 1,600 sessions and events - 400+ conference sessions, 150+ professional development sessions, 300+ music performances, 95 film screenings, 150 games, and more than 400 brand-led events. Hundreds more conference sessions are up for public vote here until April 11. More information about the Conference can be found here.

Now on sale with the most affordable passes offered to date, so the widest range of the curious and creative can attend the event than ever before. To find out more or to secure early bird access, visit www.sxswsydney.com.

SXSW Sydney is delivered in Partnership with the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Plan your SXSW Sydney 2025 trip now, visitsydney.com.

SXSW SYDNEY 2025: 13 – 19 OCTOBER 

South by Southwest Sydney® (SXSW Sydney) is thrilled to announce the dates for next year’s Conference, Expo and Festivals off the back of a successful 2024 Event.

SXSW Sydney 2025 will run from October 13 to 19, in and around iconic precincts including Darling Harbour, Chippendale and Broadway.

In 2024, SXSW Sydney returned to deliver 1,400 conference sessions, 95 screenings, 315 performances, 150 games and brand activations to 92,000+ unique attendees from 56 different countries, united by their desire for discovery and opportunity. This year’s Event saw over 300,000 visits across more than 1600 sessions and Events, over 7 days and 7 nights.

SXSW Sydney 2024 also introduced the launch of National AI Month and extended free programming in Tumbalong Park across 7 days with 163 Events, which were attended by over 190,000 people.

Geoff Jones, Chair of SXSW Sydney said:

“We are delighted to announce the dates for SXSW Sydney 2025, in Partnership with the NSW Government.

“SXSW Sydney 2024 was a great success on all fronts and was bigger than its debut year in attendance numbers and sessions throughout the week.

“We look forward to paving the way for more innovators across the tech and innovation, music, screen, games and creative industries by providing these creators with an opportunity on a Global stage.”

Submissions for the SXSW Sydney 2025 Conference, Music, Screen and Games Festival will open early in 2025.

SXSW Sydney is delivered in Partnership with the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Plan your SXSW Sydney 2025 trip now, visit sydney.com.

SXSW SYDNEY
13 – 19 OCTOBER 2025
NSW, AUSTRALIA

SXSW has long been a magnet for innovators, creatives, and thought leaders from around the world; blending technology, music, film, and culture into one unique experience. Since its inception in Austin, Texas in 1987, SXSW has evolved into a global platform that showcases cutting-edge ideas, making it a must-attend event for those shaping the future.

In 2024, SXSW Sydney marked the second time the event was hosted in Australia, making the city a hub for innovation and creativity in the APAC region. Attracting talent from over 40 countries, Sydney’s edition of SXSW highlighted the diversity of ideas and perspectives across technology, music, film, entrepreneurship, and beyond. Throughout the week, attendees immersed themselves in keynote speeches, interactive sessions, and performances that explored key themes like advancements in AI, sustainability and climate action, and entrepreneurship and leadership.

Conference

SXSW Sydney 2024 placed a major focus on the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence, and how it is rapidly shaping the future. One of the standout sessions was the interactive discussion Shaping the Future of AI, featuring VP of AI at Meta, Manohar Paluri, and Ryan Patel. The session explored how the Asia-Pacific region is at the forefront of AI development, covered how we need to balance AI for productivity while also benefitting humanity, and covered technology from Meta’s Smart Glasses to fully generated AI videos. 

Another essential session, AI as Your Next Coworker, featured Armand Ruiz (AI Lead, IBM) and Nicholas Renotte (Chief AI Engineer and YouTuber). The duo led a live coding challenge, showing attendees how to build AI agents in real-time. Discussing the move from AI shifting from machine learning to assistant and agent capabilities, the session was informative and showed how anyone has the ability to build AI agents with the right tools. 

CEO of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley ran an incredible session on Transforming the Australian Open to Match the Future of Events – showing people how sports could be enjoyed more interactively over the world. From drones delivering food and drinks, to AI providing more personalised experiences both at the game and watching from around the globe, the talk has us excited for the future of live sport. 

The thought-provoking session Will Generative AI Empower Education? raised the question on if AI will make or break the education industry – and the future of using AI as teaching assistants, to help with student feedback, for example. One thing was clear from the discussion, and that was that the next generation of learners, thinkers and creatives will need to learn to work creatively in the world of generative AI.

CEO of the MIT Technology Review, Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau gave an update on the latest tech innovations currently being developed, and what we should expect in the future. Her jaw-dropping presentation was a snapshot of the next 125 years of technology; covering off everything from biometrics, to life-expectancy tech, to mitigating the effects of climate change.

The spirit of entrepreneurship and leadership was another core theme of SXSW Sydney, with various sessions highlighting the innovative ways businesses are thriving in today's technological and economic landscape.

One of the most inspiring keynotes came from Melanie Perkins, CEO of Canva, who discussed Canva's Story: From Idea to Startup to World Leader. She shared the company’s journey, from pitching to over 100 investors, to becoming one of the world’s leading DIY design platforms. Perkins highlighted the value of feedback from every pitch meeting (even the unsuccessful ones) and highlighted the importance of persistence and pivoting in building a successful startup.

Building Trust: Strengthening Employer-Employee Relationships for a Thriving Workplace focused on how businesses can create cultures of trust, especially among Gen Z workers who seek purpose and transparency in the workforce. The panelists discussed how trust, communication, and flexible working conditions are critical to creating environments where employees feel valued and engaged into the future. 

Featured session 4 Secrets of Non-Obvious Thinking by Rohit Bhargava, founder of Non-Obvious Company, was another conference highlight. Bhargava challenged the audience to think beyond the obvious; emphasizing that true innovation comes from understanding people and their behaviors. His talk focused on uncovering hidden insights or ‘secrets’ through observation, curating new ideas, and defining a twist to win the future.

SXSW Sydney also dove deeply into themes that impact the everyday life; with sessions focused on health, work culture, and the evolving nature of trust.

In the health space, Can We Double Pet Lifespans by 2050? featured Dr Matthew Muir (co-founder of Lyka), who offered practical tips for pet owners on how to extend their pets' lives through better nutrition, healthcare, and even gene-editing technologies. This session highlighted the intersection between human and animal health advancements, with actionable takeaways that resonated with attendees.

Bestselling author Johann Hari’s session Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attentionexplored the modern-day crisis of attention (or lack thereof). He explained how various lifestyle factors, from sleep deprivation to digital distractions, have eroded our ability to focus and how reclaiming attention can transform our personal and professional lives. Hari’s exploration of the ‘flow state’ provided practical tips for achieving deep, meaningful work in a world full of distractions.

Music and Screen 

SXSW is known for its deep roots in music and film, and Sydney’s edition continued that tradition with an eclectic mix of both international and local talent. Opening the Screen Festival was a special screening of A24’s latest, Y2K, which celebrated the era’s cultural nostalgia (and cringe moments).

Patricia Karvelas interviewed cult icon Lucy Lawless on her directorial debut, documentary Never Look Away – about the life of fearless CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth. Discussing her filmmaking process, Lawless relished in her liberation from acting, yet humbly admitted to being honoured to be a part of something that gave people courage (from her Xena years). 

Superagent Lucy Dickins sat down with Frontier Touring’s Susan Heymann for an entertaining conversation about her life in the music industry. From her first signing Hot Chip, to being the agent of huge acts such as Adele and Mumford & Sons, Lucy shared her career highs and lows, and why she never takes the easy option.

The music lineup was one of the standout aspects of SXSW Sydney 2024. While there was almost too many great acts to choose from, we broke down our top performances:

International Favourites

• Voice of Baceprot (Indonesia): The all-female heavy-metal trio electrified the Rolling Stone House opening night with their high-energy performance and socially conscious lyrics.
• Aysanabee (Canada): This soulful Oji-Cree singer-songwriter captivated audiences with his raw, emotional performances, blending folk and modern sounds.
• The OBGMs (Canada): Their punk-rock energy was infectious, delivering a set that had the crowd buzzing, and lead vocalist jumping around on the bar.
• I’mdifficult (Taiwan): A multi-genre band known for blending R&B, electronic, and alternative music into something truly unique.
• 87dance (South Korea): Their futuristic sound, merging electronic beats with high-octane vocals, made for one of the most memorable performances of the week.
• Phoebe Rings (New Zealand): Their dreamy, indie-pop tunes were both nostalgic and refreshing, leaving a lasting impression on the audience who got to enjoy the launch of their new EP. 
• Mali (India): This rising star brought a her refreshing honesty to the stage, balancing vulnerability and power in her set.
• Mindfreakkk (Thailand): Their avant-garde electronic beats created an otherworldly atmosphere, blending surrealism with sound with plenty of room for dancing.

Local Standouts (ones to watch) 

• Nick Ward: Nick’s introspective lyrics and moving performances were a festival highlight, enjoying songs from his debut album House With The Blue Door.
• The Moving Stills: This indie-pop band from the Central Coast delivered catchy tunes and heartfelt performances that kept the audience partying into the night. 
• Total Tommy: Known for their garage rock sound, Total Tommy brought a punchy and energetic set at the Laneway Presents event.   
• Joan and the Giants: This indie-pop band fresh off some tours with global superstars won over audiences with their emotionally charged songs and engaging stage presence.
• FELONY.: A band with gritty rock energy, FELONY. was a standout with their raw and authentic sound.
• Ixaras: An experimental band that blurred genre boundaries, their sound combined indie and electronic elements to create something truly unique.

For the second year running, SXSW Sydney 2024 successfully brought the global energy of its Austin counterpart to the Asia-Pacific; blending creativity, technology, and culture into a packed week that allowed participants to imagine the future and get curious. Whether in AI innovation, sustainability, music, or the human experience, SXSW Sydney offered a glimpse into the trends and ideas that will shape the years ahead. Whether it was a new breakthrough artist or incredible new developments in science and tech, we look forward to hearing and seeing more at next year’s conference. 

With the tagline of the 2024 conference being ‘The Future Belongs to the Curious’, we can’t wait to see what comes next. 

South by Southwest® Sydney (SXSW Sydney) has today announced its initial Keynote Speakers for the 2nd edition of its annual Conference.  Celebrating the convergence of ideas, technology, innovation, games, music, and film, SXSW Sydney will take centre stage from October 14–20 in the mecca for creativity, Sydney, Australia.

The first Keynote speaker revealed for the 2024 program is New York Times best-selling author of Magic Pill and Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention, Johann Hari.  Collectively, Johann’s TED Talks “Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong” and “This Could Be Why You Are Depressed or Anxious” have been viewed more than 93 million times and his books have been translated into 40 languages.  Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention was named as a Book of the Year by The Financial Times, The New York Post, and The Spectator and won multiple awards.

SXSW Sydney is equally thrilled to announce prominent human rights lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, as our second Keynote Speaker.  Robinson is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers in London specialising in international law, media law and human rights. She has acted in key human rights and climate cases in domestic, regional and international courts, and has been a long-standing member of the legal team defending Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.  Her recent book, How Many More Women?, exposes how the law silences women and explores the legal backlash to the MeToo movement.

SXSW Sydney Managing Director, Colin Daniels said: “Our first two keynote speakers reflect our commitment to fostering challenging conversations. Discussing human rights and our wellbeing,  intersecting with the rapidly evolving landscape of technology is more critical than ever. Our keynote speakers will ignite discussions that are not only timely but necessary, as we navigate the complexities of our modern world.”

Other headlining speakers announced today are Co-Founder & CEO of Razer, the world leading brand for Gamers Min-Liang Tan, sharing how a two-person startup became a billion-dollar company that kickstarted a whole industry, and Amy Gallo, best-selling author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the Harvard Business Review Guide to Dealing with Conflict. In addition, renowned musician and mindfulness advocate Chad Lawson, ABC radio presenter and host of This Working Life podcast Lisa Leong, CEO of Emergent Global and author of The Leading Edge Holly Ransom, Australian race car driver Molly Taylor, prominent media science researcher Karen Nelson-Field, Billboard Top Music Lawyer Priyanka Khimani, Senior Editor at Rolling Stone India Peony Hirwani, and many more.

Australian actor Luke Hemsworth will moderate a panel titled Better than a Hollywood Movie: The highs, lows, epic moments, and colossal steps forward in bringing back the Tasmanian Tiger,  featuring co-founder and CEO of Colossal and serial technology entrepreneur Ben Lamm, and Professor of Biosciences at University of Melbourne TIGRR Lab Andrew Pask. The Colossal team returns to SXSW Sydney to share the latest in their efforts to de-extinct the Thylacine and return the storied animal to Tasmania.

Newly-announced SXSW Sydney 2024 Keynote Speakers:

• Johann Hari – New York Times best-selling author of Magic Pill and Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention
• Jennifer Robinson – Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers in London specialising in international law, media law and human rights

Newly-announced SXSW Sydney 2024 Speakers:

• Min-Liang Tan – Co-Founder & CEO of Razer, the world leading brand for Gamers
• Amy Gallo – best-selling author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the Harvard Business Review Guide to Dealing with Conflict.
• Chad Lawson –  world-renowned, multi-award-winning Pianist, Composer, Podcaster and certified Breathwork Coach and Yogi
• Priyanka Khimani – leading global expert in entertainment and music rights, especially for India and the South Asian diaspora.
• Peony Hirwani – Senior Editor at Rolling Stone India 
• Molly Taylor – Australian race car driver and winner of the Australian Rally Championship, European Ladies Championship and Peter Brock Medal, and first woman to drive the gruelling 14-day Dakar Rally race
• Karen Nelson-Field – CEO of Amplified Intelligence and author of best-sellers “Viral Marketing” and “The Attention Economy, How Media Works”
• Andrew Batey – entertainment & technology entrepreneur and Founder and Co-CEO of Beatdapp 

Newly-announced SXSW Sydney 2024 Featured Sessions:

• Better Than a Hollywood Movie: The Highs, Lows, Epic Moments, and Colossal Steps Forward in Bringing Back the Tasmanian Tiger | Hosted by actor Luke Hemsworth, Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal Biosciences and Dr. Andrew Pask, Colossal Advisor and Head of the Thylacine Integrated Genomic Restoration Research (TIGRR) Laboratory at the School of BioSciences in the University of Melbourne will discuss their efforts to de-extinct the Thylacine and return the storied animal to Tasmania.  Ben Lamm is a serial technology entrepreneur driven to solve the most complex challenges facing our planet. For over a decade, he has built disruptive businesses that future-proof our world.  Professor Andrew Pask’s research uses comparative mammalian genetics to define regions of the genome targeted by evolution to drive diversity and adaptation. His genetics work has led to the sequencing of several marsupial genomes, including that of the extinct Tasmanian Tiger.  Luke Hemsworth is well known from his run starring as ‘Ashley Stubbs’ in the fan-favourite HBO series Westworld and has also appeared on Young Rock from executive producer Dwayne Johnson. 
• How to Seize Control of Your Workday | In a conversation explaining how maximising your cognitive and emotional energy will help you to seize control of your workday, Global Director of Wellbeing at Xero Lucas Finch, organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber and broadcaster, author and facilitator Lisa Leong discuss how both employees and entrepreneurs can avoid the tyranny of shallow work, conduct effective meetings, and ultimately design a workday that maximises efficiency while combating burnout.
• Redefining Success: Beyond the 1% | Session Overview: In a world obsessed with the 1%, our panel challenges the traditional notions of success and asks: Have we got the right 1%? Through a dynamic exchange of ideas and personal anecdotes, we’ll explore the dichotomy of the 1% in leadership, sports, and life. From redefining success to prioritising well-being and meaningful connections, our panellists will inspire attendees to reconsider their own definitions of achievement. Featuring CEO of Emergent Global and author of The Leading Edge Holly Ransom, 7X World Champion and Mental Wellness Champion Layne Beachley AO, CEO of Awake Academy Tess Brouwer, and global leader in Positive Psychology, Neuroscience, and Emotional Intelligence & CEO of the Langley Group Sue Langley.

Find out more and view the full list of sessions and events revealed so far at schedule.sxswsydney.com where you can start favouriting your top picks.  Stay tuned for further announcements over the coming months.

The second iteration of SXSW Sydney is shaping up to be something truly special, with today’s announcement of thought-provoking topics and inspiring speakers joining the likes of Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Global Head of Business Marketing at TikTok Sofia Hernandez, trend curator and Founder of Non-Obvious Rohit Bhargava, venture capitalist Reed Jobs, Google DeepMind researcher Claire Bycroft, and many more.

SXSW Sydney is also excited to announce the first round of partners for the 2024 event. Returning for their second year are: Super Sponsor CommBank, Strategic Sponsors NSW Government & Destination NSW, alongside UTS, Accenture, VentureCrowd, INVNT, Suntory -196, Clear Hayes, WPP, DEPT®, Canada House, Too Far Media, Screen NSW, and Remote. 

SXSW Sydney is also thrilled to welcome new partners for 2024 including CyberCX, Procore, Aussie Broadband, B Lab, Alternaleaf, Papa Salt, Acer x Intel, Amplify, American Apparel, and RAC Arena. Find out more at our website.

SXSW Sydney 2024 Badges are now on sale at the second release rate, secure yours before prices rise on August 30. Learn more and buy your badge today at sxswsydney.com

SXSW Sydney is an annual gathering of visionaries, thought leaders and emerging talents from the Asia-Pacific region. The week-long program is stacked with more than 1,000 events and networking sessions across the key pillars of Tech & Innovation, Games, Music and Screen. The Event seamlessly integrates art and entrepreneurship, cutting-edge advancements and fostering a collaborative ecosystem where ideas are exchanged and partnerships are forged. SXSW Sydney 2024 will take place on 14–20 October, on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

SXSW Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Plan your SXSW Sydney 2024 trip now, visit sydney.com

SXSW SYDNEY
14 – 20 OCTOBER 2024
NSW, AUSTRALIA

SXSW Sydney has today announced more than 500 new speakers, workshops, artists, screenings, games and experiences for this year’s Event, taking place October 14–20.  This is only the beginning, with more than two-thirds of the program still to be revealed.

SXSW Sydney Chair and TEG Group CEO Geoff Jones said, “SXSW Sydney’s uniqueness lies in the breadth of content, topics and experiences on offer, and this October we are excited to welcome a diverse group of speakers and talent from a range of industries to the SXSW Sydney stage.”

Following a phenomenal response to Session Select, which calls on the global community to submit their ideas to be part of the 2024 program, SXSW Sydney Conference is thrilled to release its latest round of panels, talks and workshops.  Leading the charge of international thought leaders appearing is Reed Jobs, Founder of venture capital firm Yosemite, which has raised more than $200 million to finance innovation in cancer care.  Badge holders will also hear from Google DeepMind AI researcher Clare Bycroft, Managing Director of Bunnings Mike Schneider, Founder of BuildClub Annie Liao, Deputy Associate Dean Education, UTS Business Dr Amanda White OAM, Founder and Lead of the first National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) Professor Christopher Lawrence, CEO of Andromeda Robotics Grace Brown, and many more.

Newly added Sessions:

• The Genomic Transformation of Medicine | The field of medicine is undergoing explosive change, driven by exponential advances in three fields: genomics, which generates high-resolution data on the human body; data science, which uses that data to understand disease; and therapeutics, which enables increasingly precise molecular changes to prevent or cure disease. This panel discussion involves world-leading experts in each of these three fields, chaired by genomic medicine and child health advocate Sarah Murdoch, genomics expert Daniel MacArthur, DeepMind AI researcher Clare Bycroft, and stem cell therapeutics developer Enzo Porrello.  The panel will discuss the current state and future opportunities for these transformative technologies, and grapple with the impending challenges of cost, data privacy, and equity in the genomic era.
• Betting Big on Bio — Why the Future of the World Will Be Defined By Biotech | Technology and AI are changing the way we live our lives, but there’s also a lot of big problems remaining — disease, ageing, climate change, biodiversity, food security… that tech alone can’t solve. Or can it? In this session, Reed Jobs, Emily Casey and a panel of biomedical experts examine how and why the future of the world, and business, rests on the shoulders of biotechnology.
• The Plausible Future of Trust | A discussion with Managing Director of Bunnings Mike Schneider, interviewed by Nadine Parkington from Think Nimble. As the leader of one of Australia’s most trusted brands,  how is Mike thinking about the future of trust? How do you approach building on earned trust in a time of fast evolving technology and social changes? And for those trying to win back or start from scratch — what are the core principles and learnings that stand the test of change that we can draw upon?
• Move Fast and Fix Things: Tech Driving Thoughtful Social Impact | Australia’s most successful founders and tech businesses are consciously — and with urgency — using their resources for maximum social impact. Hear how the tech community’s thoughtful donation of time, profit, equity, and product is transforming the lives of people experiencing disadvantage and the planet. Moderated by Antonia Ruffell (StartGiving), along with impact experts including Tash Keuneman, (Keuneman Foundation).
• Democracy Under Fire: The Threat of Deepfakes, Disinformation and Fake News on a Global Scale | Hear from leading experts as they take you through the social, political and economic implications of deepfakes, disinformation and fake news, and the impact they’ll have in 2024’s record-breaking year for global elections. Featuring Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, National Security expert Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, Associate Professor Marian-Andrei Rizoiu and Sophie Farthing.
• How Changing Your Clothes Can Change Your Life | How we dress has the power to change the course of our life. Join Fashion Profiler and multi-Emmy Award-nominated TV journalist, Kathryn Eisman, and celebrated journalist, television presenter, and fellow fearless fashion lover, Jessica Rowe, as they discuss the fascinating truth about our clothing choices and their profound influence on our subconscious mind.
• Pioneers and Prodigies: The Next Generation of Venture Capital | Join Co-founder of Blackbird Niki Scevak, Founder of BuildClub Annie Liao, alongside Paul Naphtali, and Mitchell Hughes in understanding the future of venture capital and what role different generations of investors play. This panel will uncover the dynamics between experienced investors and newcomers, discussing their coexistence in the art of investing into startups, and the question: should young investors should even have a seat at the table to begin with?
• X Marks The Spot: Incentives Fuelling Innovation | The XPRIZE initiative has driven some of the fundamental changes we have seen in the world such as the creation of the commercial space industry and the commercial lunar landing capability. This session moderated  by Prof Catherine Ball will discuss technologies that map the ocean floor, creating a tricorder, and how robots are becoming our avatars. Current problems being tackled include fighting wildfires, reversing ageing, creating freshwater for the world, and promoting new quantum computing applications.
• Astral Oddities: Exploring the Universe’s Worst Vacation Spots |  From planets that smell like flatulence to stars attempting to destroy their planets’ atmospheres, audience members might leave this un-travelogue of cosmic locations, not on anyone’s vacation bucket list, with a newfound appreciation of our habitable Earth. Go on a galactic journey with astronomers Dr Benjamin Montet, Professor Melissa Ness, Associate Professor Sarah Martell & Dr Sven Buder. 
• Abi: Your Best Friend out of the Box | Join Grace Brown, CEO of Andromeda Robotics, as she introduces Abi, the humanoid companion robot ready to be your best friend straight out of the box. Learn about the innovative technology behind Abi and how she's transforming companionship in our modern world. This session will delve into Abi's development, features, and real-world impact.
• Will Generative AI empower education? Exploring the impact on student learning, assessment and wellbeing | Hear from Associate Professor Dr Amanda White OAM (Deputy Associate Dean Education, UTS Business), Professor Cath Ellis (Academic Director, University of Sydney), Professor Danny Liu (Cogniti AI), Kane Murdoch (Macquarie University) as they discuss the impact of generative AI on student learning, the usefulness (or uselessness) of various approaches to assessment, what is misconduct in a GenAI age and how might we detect it, and how we could use GenAI to provide care and support. 
• Beyond the Buzz: Navigating the New Frontiers of Trend Analysis | The terms cultural strategy and trends have become tropes as of late with conflicting hot takes. Moderated by Brandwatch and with perspectives from social researchers at Meta, Google and Reddit, this will be an exclusive opportunity to hear leaders from such distinct companies discuss how they personally study human behaviour at scale, make sense of social change, and how trends (should and should not) inform strategy.

View the full list at schedule.sxswsydney.com where you can start building your schedule.  Stay tuned for more announcements.

Other Sessions announced today include Milk, The World’s Most Controversial Superfood, Renowned Chef & Farmer Matthew Evans explores the unbelievable story behind this ubiquitous liquid; Love, Sex, and Intimacy In the Age of AI , an examination of how technology is reshaping the very fabric of human connection with the world’s leading authority on sextech, Bryony Cole; Of Beauty Rich and Not so Rare: Stepping Up on Smart Places, a discussion on creating smart cities; Indigenous Futures in STEM, Professor Chris Lawrence reveals how Indigenous peoples and their ways of knowing, being and doing are not separate to STEM – but strongly intertwined; Pictures of You: How You’re Being Watched Everywhere From Your Couch To Your Car, an exploration into the cost of convenience with political economist Jathan Sadowski, consumer advocate, Kate Bower, and security director Jacqui Kernot; Where is my Mind? The Coming Wave of Neurotechnology and What it Means for Humans, hear from experts Lorraine Finlay, Kate Bower and Kiley Seymour on the science and delve into the human rights issues presented by neurotechnology; Māori Knowledge & Education Through Video Games, 4Phase Games delve into the captivating realm of Indigenous futurism and Māori storytelling; Signals in the Noise — Why is Cyber and Data so Hard with Victor Dominello, Michelle Price, Lesley Seebeck and Paul Rush; and more.

Newly added Workshops include From Idea to Reality: Building a No-Code Augmented Reality Prototype in 30 Minutes or Less with award-winning XR designer Sarah Tan, The Power of Scent in Immersive Experiences with experience designer Tammy Burnstock and perfumer Jocelyn Fullerton, and Competitive advantage and intellectual property – protecting your investment with Lisa Cohen & Julie Wheway from IP Australia.

SXSW Sydney Music Festival

Today, SXSW Sydney® Music Festival has revealed over 60 new additions for the stacked 2024 artist lineup. Artists announced so far hail from Australia, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and the UK.  Curated by the SXSW Sydney programming team Reg Harris and Ruby Miles from 1200+ submissions, highlights from this announcement include: the first Indonesian band to ever play Glastonbury, Voice of Baceprot; Tāmaki Makaurau all-stars Phoebe Rings; Taiwan-based experimental pop group I’mdifficult; indie darling of the Philippines Clara Benin; dynamic surf-rock band The Grogans, Obongjayar-cosigned East London rapper JESHI; NSW indie favourites, The Buoys; underground dance music hero, Mincy; Hatchie bandmate and cult shoegaze talent, RINSE; Central desert rockers and KISS tourmates, Mulga Bore Hard Rock; 16-year-old bedroom pop artist ixaras and four-piece Bangkok post-rock outfit Death of Heather.  View the full list sxswsydney.com where you can start building your schedule.

SXSW Sydney Screen Festival

The SXSW Sydney Screen Festival has announced a selection of exciting additions to the music stream of its program. Feature Films just added include The Most Australian Band Ever!, documenting the rise of 80s Aussie punk band the Hard-Ons, S/He Is Still Her/e: The Official Genesis P-Orridge from trans activist and AGAINST ME! Singer, LAURA JANE GRACE, Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara, capturing a band on the edge of greatness in this touching coming-of-age-portrait from debut filmmaker Kent Belcher, and Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts, A contemporary portrait of America, told through a collection of stories observed within the walls of former Pizza Hut buildings across the country.  With a focus on trailblazing Aussie artists, 24 music videos will also be showcased, including ‘Stay Blessed’ from Genesis Owusu, 'U Should Not Be Doing That' from Amyl and the Sniffers, 'See You Tomorrow' from BAD // DREEMS, and 'Settle Petal' from The Buoys.  Finally, Wellington-based animation studio Floating Rock will conduct a live Commentary Session on Kyoryu, the viral trailer which garnered 1 million views within 10 days, with creator and animator Benjamin Mulot.  View the full list at schedule.sxswsydney.com where you can start building your schedule.

SXSW Sydney Games Festival

SXSW Sydney 2024 has revealed the first half of the 2024 Games Festival Showcase, with studios hailing from 16 different countries. The lineup includes HORSES, Wild Bastards, and Fishbowl, and is filled with dozens of other singular games that challenge the boundaries of genre and narrative.  Driven by its mission to empower creative communities, SXSW Sydney is thrilled to again welcome developers and investors to the Games Investment Forum. Offering matchmade pitch sessions, networking events, workshops, and mentoring sessions, it’s the best possible platform for developers and studios to take the next step.  Publishers and funding bodies in attendance include Raw Fury, Null Games, Team17, Whitethorn Games, Playside Publishing, Critical Reflex, Astra Logical Games, Landfall Games, PQube, Headup Games, UltraPlayers, Fellow Traveller and WINGS Interactive, with more to be announced.  Exclusive to Platinum and Games Badge Holders, this event will take place on Thursday October 17 and Friday October 18.  View the full list at schedule.sxswsydney.com where you can start building your schedule.

SXSW Sydney 2024 Badges are now on sale at the second release rate, secure yours before EOFY. Learn more and buy your badge today at sxswsydney.com.

SXSW Sydney is an annual gathering of visionaries, thought leaders and emerging talents from the Asia-Pacific region. The week-long program is stacked with more than 1,000 events and networking sessions across the key pillars of Tech & Innovation, Games, Music and Screen. The event seamlessly integrates art and entrepreneurship, cutting-edge advancements and fostering a collaborative ecosystem where ideas are exchanged, and partnerships are forged.

SXSW Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Plan your SXSW Sydney 2024 trip now, visit sydney.com.

SXSW SYDNEY
14 – 20 OCTOBER 2024
NSW, AUSTRALIA

SXSW SYDNEY MAKES FIRST ROUND OF ANNOUNCEMENTS ACROSS CONFERENCE, MUSIC, SCREEN AND GAMES FOR 2024

Featuring Rohit Bhargava, Sofia Hernandez, David Warner, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Ryan Patel, Courtney Act, Nakkiah Lui, Simon McQuoid, Esther Nguyen, and with speakers from Atlassian, IBM, The Iconic, The AI Leadership Institute, Balarinji, and many more.

Early Bird Badges Available Until May 16

South by Southwest Sydney® (SXSW Sydney) has today revealed the first round of announcements for its 2024 Conference as well as Music, Games and Screen Festivals, as anticipation builds for the 2nd edition of the annual event.

SXSW Sydney Chair and TEG Group CEO, Geoff Jones said: “After the success of the inaugural SXSW Sydney in 2023,  we are once again inspired by the overwhelming response from the creator communities to participate in the 2024 program.  This is the first of many announcements as we roll out the extensive and diverse range of visionaries & creative thinkers from around the globe that make up the SXSW Sydney 2024 conference lineup”

“SXSW Sydney is about discovery and an opportunity to be surrounded by the best and brightest minds from Tech & Innovation, Games, Music, Screen and Culture. This year’s SXSW promises to be as inspiring as ever.”

A centrepiece for global thought leaders, emerging talent, and Hollywood luminaries, last year’s inaugural event saw a long list of heavy hitters descend on Sydney, the global centre point for creativity in Asia Pacific, for a week-long celebration of Tech & Innovation, Gaming, Screen, and Music, with notable standout sessions from Chance the Rapper (celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop), Nicole Kidman, Black Mirror creator Charlie Booker and futurist and AI expert Amy Webb.

Building on this success, 2024 is set to step things up with an inspiring first round of Featured Speakers just announced for the SXSW Sydney Conference:

• Australian astronaut at the Australian Space Agency, Katherine Bennell-Pegg
• World-renowned futurist and authority on global business, politics and corporate governance, Ryan Patel 
• Global Head of Business Marketing at TikTok, Sofia Hernandez
• Trend curator and founder of Non-Obvious, Rohit Bhargava returning after his popular session in 2023
• Australia’s eSafety Commissioner,  Julie Inman Grant
• Award-winning Australian filmmaker and director of Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat 2, Simon McQuoid
• Gomeroi and Torres Strait Islander writer, actor, director and publisher, Nakkiah Lui
• Boy, Girl, Artist, Advocate, global queer icon, Australian entertainer and television personality, Courtney Act
• Founder of POPS Worldwide, revolutionising Vietnam’s digital music landscape, Esther Nguyen
• Vice President of Product - AI Platform at IBM, Armand Ruiz
• Australian human rights lawyer and barrister, Jennifer Robinson
• Tennis Australia CEO and Director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley
• Vice-Chancellor and President of the Australian National University, Professor Genevieve Bell AO
• CEO and Founder of multi-million dollar production studio Spawnpoint Media, Jordan Barclay (AKA EYstreem)
• Group CEO of leading Singapore-based creative agency, The Secret Little Agency, Eunice Tan
• Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, Professor Mark Scott AO
• Co-Founder of Metaphysic.ai and Codec.ai, Martin D. Adams
• Founder and Chief AI Officer at the AI Leadership Institute, Noelle Russell
• Filmmaker, 2019 Australian of the Year, and Lieutenant Governor of South Australia, Dr Richard Harris SC OAM
• Founder and CEO of Silicon Quantum Computing, Professor Michelle Simmons
• Host of the hit podcast, The Psychology of your 20s, Jemma Sbeg
• Ass. Dean Indigenous, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Professor Christopher Lawrence
• Co-Founder, Andromeda Robotics, Grace Brown
• Resident architect-councilor, HY William Chan
• Mathematician, comedian, raconteur, and conversationalist, Adam Spencer

The first round of Sessions to be announced provide a taste of the thought-provoking discussions to come:

• 36 Months: Raising the Threshold for Social Media Citizenship (Hamish Blake, parenting specialist Maggie Dent, Michael "Wippa" Wipfli, Nova, and Felicity McVay, former Global Head of Entertainment at TikTok)
• A New Playing Field: Opportunities to Monetise Athlete IP and Expand Sport Globally (Australian Cricketer David Warner, sports advisor David Gallop, Olympian Tillie Kearns, and Nicholas Saady, Pryor Cashman)
• AI and You: What You Need to Know Next (Dr Sandra Peter and Professor Kai Riemer, University of Sydney)
• Designing with Country: Cultural Design as Driver of Extraordinary Contemporary Places (Ros Moriarty, MD, Co-Founder and Creative Executive, and Ngunnawal man Johnny Bridges, Indigenous Creative Lead, Balarinji)
• Beyond the Big Screen: Film Tech in the Real World (Aaron Corera of XM2, Filmmaker Gregory Read, Duncan Jones, CEO of Myriad Studios)
• For News Media, Digital Transformation Isn’t a Process – It’s a State (Lucy Blakiston, founder of Shit You Should Care About; Duncan Greive, founder of The Spinoff; Gaven Morris, Bastion Transform, Lee Lowndes, CEO Daylight)
• The Digital Fashion Experience: In Conversation with Jere Calmes, CEO, The Iconic (Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO of the Australian Fashion Council)
• Meet: Nature – Your Actual CFO. How Nature Impacts Every Organisation and Will Dictate Your Future (Moderated by Atlassian’s work futurist Dom Price, with climate and ecological experts Chris Ewing of Taronga Conservation, Guy Williams of Pollination, Dr Rachel Marshall of Accounting for Nature, and Cr Bradley Widders, National Parks Wildlife Service)

The SXSW Sydney Conference is organised into 23 programming tracks presented in a variety of session formats.  This year, Conference tracks include 2050; Advertising & Marketing; AI & Robotics; Culture, Society & Media; Design; Energy, Climate & Sustainability; Future of Work; Games Industry; Health & MedTech; Money, Markets & FinTech; Music Industry; Screen Industry; Sports Industry; Startups; Technology; Transport & Smart Cities; Travel & Leisure, and XR & Metaverse, as well as new tracks Creator Economy; Cyber & Your Data; Education & Skills; Fashion, Lifestyle & Beauty; and Food. 

More information on the 2024 Conference program can be found here. 

The SXSW Sydney Music Festival has also released the initial music acts for its 2024 lineup, with an electric list of new and emerging talent forming a solid foundation for the program.  First up are magnetic multi-hyphenate artist and Heartbreak High star, Ayesha Madon, boundary-pushing triple j Unearthed alumnus, Nick Ward; dreamy Colombian psych-rock trio, BALTHVS; Eora/Sydney artist, singer, songwriter and Queer heartthrob, Total Tommy;  21-year-old vocal prince and first Australian artist to sign with Def Jam, SAHXL; Rising Marranunggu rapper brothers, J-MILLA & Yung Milla; evocative, genre-defying instrumentalist,  Joel Sunny; Manila-based Japanese-Filipino electronic-pop artist, Ena Mori; Indie-rock four-piece hailing from Boorloo/Perth, Smol fish; UK-based duo who have toured with the likes of CHVRCHES and Sam Fender, HighSchool; rising Sydney R&B sensation, Maina Doe; and electronic artist-on-the-rise hailing from Seoul, Korea, 404. More information on the Music Festival can be found in the appendix below and at sxswsydney.com/news. 

The first round of games have been selected for the SXSW Sydney Games Festival Showcase taking place 17–20 October 2024.   Games announced today include Blood Reaver (Hell Byte Games, Australia), Curiosmos (Céline and the Darlings, Belgium), Demon Spore (DinoBoss, UK), DICEOMANCER (Ultra Piggy Studio, China), FRUITBUS (Krillbite Studio, Norway), Hyper Light Breaker (Heart Machine, USA), Mystiques (Lemonade Games, Australia), No Case Should Remain Unsolved (Somi, South Korea), Rose and Locket (Whistling Wizard, New Zealand), and Window Garden (CLOVER-FI Games, Philippines). See addendum. More information on the Games Festival can be found in the appendix below and at sxswsydney.com/news. 

The SXSW Sydney Screen Festival has made its initial selection of short films to premiere at the event, including Fish Tank (Wendi Tang, China/USA), Meat Puppet (Eros V, UK), Vivie (Hweiling Ow, New Zealand), and Make Me a Pizza (Talia Shea Levin, USA). More information on the Screen Festival can be found in the appendix below and at sxswsydney.com/news. 

Today’s unveiling of SXSW Sydney’s 2024 initial lineup is the first of many announcements within the program.  

SXSW Sydney 2024 Badges are now on sale at a special Early Bird rate (prices rise May 16) with new inclusions for Platinum Badge holders. Learn more and buy your badge today at sxswsydney.com.

South by Southwest® (SXSW) Sydney is an annual gathering of visionaries, thought leaders and emerging talents from the Asia-Pacific region. The week-long program is stacked with more than 1,000 events and networking sessions across the key pillars of Tech & Innovation, Games, Music and Screen. The event seamlessly integrates art and entrepreneurship, cutting-edge advancements and fostering a collaborative ecosystem where ideas are exchanged, and partnerships are forged. SXSW Sydney 2024 will take place on 14-20 October, on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

SXSW Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Plan your SXSW Sydney 2024 trip now, visit sydney.com 

SXSW SYDNEY
14 – 20 OCTOBER 2024
NSW, AUSTRALIA

SXSW SYDNEY® 2024 NOW ON SALE  
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ACCESS BADGES HERE
 

SXSW SYDNEY 2024 CONFERENCE SESSION SELECT  
PUBLIC VOTING BEGINS  
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PUBLIC VOTING HERE 

Sydney, NSW – TUESDAY APRIL 9TH 2024: Badges to attend SXSW Sydney 2024 are now on sale, along with a first look at potential conference speakers as Session Select public voting begins.  

South by Southwest Sydney® arrives for one week every October, filled with discussions and festivals that bring together different people to inspire unexpected discoveries. Our inaugural year featured 1,178 sessions and events, with over 287,000 people in attendance and participants from 41 countries.  Numbers aside, it was the unexpected encounters, professional growth and dynamic generation of ideas that proved SXSW Sydney is the place for anyone with a desire for discovery.  

SXSW Sydney once again promises to be a global gathering of creativity, inspiration, connection and great times. Whether you’re an industry veteran, a budding entrepreneur or creative leader, we hope to see you there.
 

FIRST CHANCE TO SECURE A LIMITED SXSW SYDNEY 2024 PLATINUM BADGE  

SXSW Sydney 2024 Platinum Badge holders will enjoy new inclusions this year, along with the same primary access to all SXSW Sydney events, across conference, games, music and screen festivals.  In addition to limiting the number of Platinum Badges available, valuable benefits have been added: 

An invitation to the exclusive SXSW Sydney Opening Night Party  

A dedicated SXSW Sydney co-working space   

Exclusive access all week to the new Platinum Lounge   

Exclusive Xpress passes to help secure seats for in demand Conference sessions*  

Primary access to an extended program of curated daily Meet Ups and Networking Events  

Early Bird pricing for SXSW Sydney 2024 Platinum Badges is available until May 16 at $1395 each (until the allocation is exhausted). American Express Cardholders can access an exclusive additional 10% discount (saving up to $139) until April 23rd when purchasing a Badge with their AMEX card.

EARLY BIRD PRICING FOR ALL OTHER SXSW SYDNEY 2024 BADGES  

Tech & Innovation Badges and Music, Screen and Game Festival Badges are also now on sale.  
These different types of Badge holders enjoy primary access to events presented for the selected Festival (Music, or Games or Screen) along with access to the Conference, Activations and Experiences. These Badges allow secondary access to all other Festival events, activations, and experiences. Early Bird pricing for these Badges is available until May 16 at $895. American Express Cardholders can access an exclusive additional 10% discount on these badges until April 23rd when purchasing a Badge with their AMEX card. 

NEW 25 AND UNDER BADGES for 2024  

To better enable emerging leaders and creatives to attend, registrants aged 25 and under will be able to purchase a Tech & Innovation Under 25 Badge or a Music, Screen and Game Festival Under 25 Badge at a 40% discount (only $537 until May 16, saving $358). Recipients must be able to show proof of their age when they collect their Badge at SXSW Sydney 2024 (October 14 to 20). 

Group Discounts (for 10 or more Badges) are available through the SXSW Sydney VIP Sales team. 

Festival Wristbands and Tech & Innovation Expo tickets will be available later in the year.  

SESSION SELECT PUBLIC VOTING BEGINS

A major contribution to SXSW Sydney’s Conference programming comes via Session Select, which enables individuals and groups to submit proposals to be voted on by the broader SXSW Sydney community.  Over 1,000 thought-leaders have registered for Session Select, from 35 countries and organisations like Google, Meta, Leonardo.ai, Canva, Xero, Linktree, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Atlassian, Reddit, Tourism Australia, McKinsey, Culture Amp, TikTok, Accenture, Amazon Web Services, Tenmile, Coinbase, WPP, Dentsu, DDB Sydney, Intrepid Travel, PWC, KPMG, Deloitte, Getty Images, and institutions like UTS, The University of Sydney, QUT, UNSW, UQ, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Monash, Western Sydney University, Swinburne, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Australian Human Rights Commission.  

The SXSW Sydney 2024 Conference tracks have been extended to include streams that are swiftly evolving and contributing to wider conversations. While AI’s influence will be discussed across most of this year’s 23 tracks, some subjects deserve more focus. The Creator Economy, Cyber & Your Data, Education & Skills, Fashion, Lifestyle & Beauty, and Food are new tracks, and updates have been made to the Future of Work, and Energy, Climate & Sustainability tracks. After public voting and programmer review, speakers will be announced from April.  
 

SXSW Sydney’s Managing Director Colin Daniels said, "Our creative community has exceeded even my most optimistic expectations - the quality of the submissions we have received is outstanding. Thanks to all the dreamers, doers and innovators out there.  The inquiring minds and provocative thinkers SXSW Sydney attract are what makes this event so exhilarating and satisfying. Our programming team has its work cut out!”  
______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Don’t miss out on your chance to purchase a badge for SXSW Sydney 2024 at early bird pricing, or to vote for your favourite Session Select conference submissions. Visit https://sxswsydney.com/ for more details.

SXSW Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Plan your SXSW Sydney 2024 trip now, visit https://www.sydney.com/    
 

SXSW SYDNEY  
14 – 20 OCTOBER 2024  
NSW, AUSTRALIA

ARE YOU READY TO LEAD THE CONVERSATION AND SHARE YOUR IDEAS WITH THE WORLD?  

SXSW SYDNEY® 2024 SESSION SELECT IS OPEN
FOR PANEL & SPEAKER SUBMISSIONS

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL HERE FROM 10AM TODAY
 

ARE YOU LOOKING TO TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT STAGE (OR SCREEN)?  

SXSW SYDNEY® 2024 GAMES, MUSIC & SCREEN FESTIVALS ARE NOW ACCEPTING SHOWCASE APPLICATIONS

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY HERE FROM 10AM TODAY

Sydney, NSW – Tuesday 13 February 2024: Consider this our open invitation to you; the creators, thought-provokers and innovators who have something to say and are damn good at saying it. 

Our inaugural year featured a remarkable 1,178 sessions and events, welcoming over 287,000 attendees and participants from 41 countries. Numbers aside, it was the countless serendipitous encounters, professional goals kicked and ideas sparked that stole the show. 

Sydney proudly stands as the only city outside of Austin, Texas, to host SXSW, cementing its status as the global centre point for creativity in the Asia-Pacific region. Year after year, Sydney showcases everything from international sporting events, Australian premieres of blockbuster musicals and a calendar bursting with cultural events including Mardi Gras, Sydney Festival and Vivid Sydney, delivering more than $1 billion into the local economy. 

Now is your chance to bring something incredible to the SXSW Sydney 2024 program.  

SESSION SELECT

Do you have a panel, presentation, workshop, meet up or podcast that’s going to inspire real change? Submit your ideas to SXSW Sydney’s Session Select and our community — along with a team of Conference advisors — will choose who features at this year’s event.   

In 2024, we have 23 Conference tracks to choose from, including a few brand-new ones. You spoke, we listened and now SXSW Sydney has included tracks for the Creator Economy, Cyber & Your Data, Education & Skills, Fashion, Lifestyle & Beauty, and Food.   

SXSW Sydney’s Session Select process underscores our belief in the enduring power of an engaged community, to foster collaboration and creative exchange on a global scale. As Rohit Bhargava said at last year's event, "I believe that the only future we can make is the one that we can imagine.”

SXSW Sydney’s Managing Director Colin Daniels said, “Session Select is the spark for the SXSW Sydney Conference. It is how our brilliant creative community sets the agenda with their ideas for the conversations and stimulating content that shapes the conference. I am so excited to see and hear what our global thought leaders come up with for the second SXSW Sydney.” 

GAMES, MUSIC & SCREEN SHOWCASES

Submissions are also open for our Games, Music and Screen Festivals. We're looking for your innovative, abstract, genre-defying feature films, shorts, games, bands, solo projects, music videos and episodic works. We are also now accepting applications for fiction and non-fiction projects that use virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). 

Are you ready to share your work with thousands of industry colleagues, media and fans? Apply now and connect with investors, movers, shakers and fellow creators from across the Asia-Pacific at our 2024 festival showcases. 

SXSW Sydney’s Managing Director Colin Daniels said, “For artists and creatives in the Music, Screen and Games industries their submission to be a part of the SXSW Sydney Festivals showcase and screenings line-up is the first step to having their work revealed and announced to the wider international world of early discoverers, tastemakers and industry champions that flock to SXSW Sydney. Don’t hesitate to make that submission and be on the path to achieving your global artistic and creative goals."

SXSW Sydney once again promises to be a global gathering of creativity, inspiration, connection and great times. Whether you’re an industry veteran, a budding entrepreneur or a passionate creative, we can't wait to hear from you. 

Don’t miss out on your chance to submit an application for SXSW Sydney 2024. Visit https://sxswsydney.com/ for more details.

SXSW Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Plan your SXSW Sydney 2024 trip now, visit https://www.sydney.com/ 

SXSW SYDNEY
14 – 20 OCTOBER 2024
NSW, AUSTRALIA

Today, futurist conference and festival, SXSW Sydney® reflects on its inaugural 2023 event and looks forward to shining a global spotlight on our region’s creative community again in 2024.

SXSW SYDNEY® 2024
MONDAY 14 - SUNDAY 20, OCTOBER

Geoff Jones, SXSW Sydney Chair said: “To say SXSW Sydney left a mark on the city in its inaugural year is an understatement. The team pulled together a remarkable grand-scale event that brought together APAC’s creative communities in a way the region had never seen before.

“We are thrilled to announce the dates for SXSW Sydney 2024 in partnership with the NSW Government and look forward to opening more doors for innovators across the Tech & Innovation, Music, Screen, Games and creative industries.”

SXSW SYDNEY 2023 AT-A-GLANCE
The inaugural SXSW Sydney was held from Darling Harbour to Chippendale, on Gadigal Land from 15-22 October 2023. It brought together inspired thinkers, creators and innovators from across the world for the iconic festival of festivals”; a conference, music screen and games festivals, a tech & innovation expo and parties that enlivened APAC’s creative industries.

XSW Sydney attendance: 287,014

Unique attendees: 97,462

Total tickets (badges, wristbands, tickets, expo passes; excluding affiliate events): 34,975

Sessions and events: 1,178

Media/Press attendance: 758

Countries represented by attendees: 41

You can now watch the full keynote interview from Futurist and CEO of the Future Today Institute, Amy Webb. Hosted by author and broadcaster Adam Spencer, the wide-ranging conversation covers emerging tech trends and innovations that will shift paradigms, challenge conventions and shape everything from business, to government and everyday life.

Watch the full video of Amy Webb’s 2023 keynote interview HERE. Stills available HERE.

Following the incredible success of SXSW Sydney 2023, applications for our 2024 Session Select and Music, Screen and Games showcases will be live in the new year. This will be an open invitation to our community to get involved and champion the ideas that will shape our futures.

Badges will also go on sale in the new year.

Watch the full wrap from the event, featuring unmissable moments with thousands of SXSW Sydney 2023 attendees, Chance The Rapper, Nicole Kidman, Charlie Brooker, Naomi Watts and many more.

Video and stills HERE.

SXSW has long been on our bucket lists - so the moment the festival announced its first iteration outside of the US was to be held in Sydney, we knew we had to be there. Since its birth in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW has long been an epicentre of music, screen, tech and innovation - where artists are recognised, and ideas are brought to life. Held 15-22 October, the festival was a showcase of both local and international talent, with its first run in Sydney seeing the festival held in the city's event precinct; primarily within the impressive ICC, as well as spanning across venues throughout Darling Harbour, Ultimo, Haymarket, Chippendale, and more. 

As real sufferers of FOMO, our team at MEL Live stayed out day and night for a full week to bring you the highlights and everything on offer. It's impossible to see and do everything (that's what makes it so special), but we gave it a red hot go anyway. From stumbling onto a new favourite band, to seeing a film that will change how you see the world, SXSW Sydney was an incredible festival from start to finish. From the main conference, to the streams of Tech and Innovation, Screen, Music, Games, and expos, SXSW Sydney had all bases covered and delivered on an incredible experience from start to finish. As confirmed during a keynote session by SXSW Sydney managing director Colin Daniels, the man responsible for bringing the festival to Australia, we're already keen to see what the next five years of SXSW look like in Sydney.

OUR CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Keynotes and Featured Sessions 

• Keynote: Charlie Brooker in Conversation with Julia Zemiro - the incredible mind behind Black Mirror opened up about his creative process, his favourite all-time favourite episodes, and about possibly being a psychic. Capturing the audience with stories of giving the one and only Jodie Foster editorial notes, the effects of AI on the industry, and how Apple's photo memories can sometimes come back to haunt you, the enigma that is Charlie Brooker quickly became a festival highlight for many.
• Held at an absolutely packed-out Darling Harbour Theatre, Keynote presentation 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop feat Chance the Rapper saw the influential artist in conversation with Rolling Stone AU/NZ Editor In Chief Poppy Reid. The born and bred Chicago rapper shared his inspiring journey on navigating the industry as an independent artist, and how the genre evolved over the years since its inception. Leaving no stone unturned, Chance used his platform to discuss today's political matters at hand, his non-profit SocialWorks and how we can all act as a movement together.
• Coachella Co-Founder Paul Tollett and AEG's Michael Harrison sat down for a session on the festival's history; from its first year of extreme losses to the world's most popular festival it has become over the past 24 years. Giving us all an insight into the industry, Paul and Michael kept it casual as they took us through their shared years of promoting - with Paul's Coachella numerous spinoffs, and Michael's past work with industry icon Michael Gudinski. 
• There was a packed house for the featured session with Nicole Kidman and Per Saari, as they talked to Nine Network Journalist (and Kidman's childhood friend) Peter Overton about their company Blossom Films. Respectfully conducted in line with the restrictions based on the present strikes, their conversation talked about their production company, their focus on finding new filmmakers, and the differences of being on the other side for Nicole as both a producer and actor. From discussing where they find content for their films, to the details of their processes, an audience of over 2,500 people took it all in as part of the Screen Festival program. 
• Colossal CEO Ben Lamm and and Head of the Thylacine Integrated Genomic Restoration Research (TIGRR) Lab, Professor Andrew Pask, sat down with Macquarie University Wildlife Scientist Vanessa Pirotta for featured session Dodo de-extinction and other lost animals, to discuss the incredible work they are doing to bring back the Tasmanian Tiger. Explaining the incredibly painstaking process they are working on to de-extinct the Thylacine, wooly mammoth, as well as other species on the verge of extinction, Ben and Andrew spared no details on how their ground-breaking methods will be used to save and repair delicate ecosystems.

Sessions and Workshops 

• AI Fluency: What's Coming For My Job? with Rae Johnston (Queens of the Drone Age Journalist), Kellie Nuttall (Deloitte Australia AI Institute Leader & Straegy and Business Design Leader), Sandra Peter (University of Sydney Business School Director of Sydney Executive Plus) and Kai Riemer (University of Sydney Business School Professor of Information Technology & Organisation). Covering off how AI first began; from its humble beginnings of learning from pictures of cats, to today's human face and voice generators, a panel of experts delve into how far we've come in the science of AI over the years. The reality is that AI isn't coming for your job - someone who knows how to use it properly is.
• Hosted by Rove McManus, Hello 2050, what's on the menu? explored the future of food and our need for a massive increase of protein production in the next couple decades. From regenerative farming, to plant-based alternatives, the panel consisting of CSIRO's Michelle Colgrave and Sinéad Golley, and Lime Cordiale's (and farmer) Oli Leimbach discussed what changes we need to make in order to support the earth's next huge population boom.
• An interesting session on the Workplace of the Future was hosted by Tyro Payments Non Exec Director Aliza Knox, while supported by a panel of Koala Group's Culture Officer Netta Efron, McKinsey and Company's Helen Mayhew, and Bates Smart Architect and Director Kellie Payne. This session covered off the workplaces of the past and where things are heading with in-person attendance, remote working and the architecture spaces we spend our time in for our 9-5. With the average workplace turned on its head due to the pandemic, this was an interesting panel that discussed the change of control from employers post-covid, productivity drivers and how you can get the most out of your space. 
• Finance session How Young Australians Can Retire Early in an Uncertain Future provided info on the methods we can take to ensure financial independence in a world of inflation and uncertainty. Hosted by Pearler co-founder Nick Nicolaides, Get Rich Slow Club's Ana Kresina, Tash Invests' Natasha Etschmann and New Money's Brandon van der Kolk, the session touched on life-changing investment and sought to normalise conversations about finance.
• AWS Innovation House's session on Little Ripper Drones saving lives with AI was an incredible look into the work behind the lifesaving drones, Sharkspotter AI systems, and the ever-evolving use of the game-changing drones. Presented by Little Ripper Drones CEO Colin Frew and University of Technology Sydney professor Nabin Sharma, the possibilities for their technology are truly endless in the scope of natural disasters, agri industries, and ecological research.

OUR MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS

Just over 300 local and international artists were at SXSW Sydney - of these, we were able to catch 33 artists across the week, in over 16 different venues. From standard concert venues, to intimate shows played in corner pubs and even the local church, each artist gave their all at the festival. Here are some of our highlights.

International artists

• Austin natives and Gen Z siblings form the absolutely wild We Don't Ride Llamas, who put on an absolute beast of a show which had the entire Pumphouse up and moving.
• Global girl group XG played their first ever Australian show at Hordern Pavilion for an exclusive, one-night-only concert, supported by Lil Cherry & GOLDBUDDA. Needless to say, the crowd brought a whole new level of energy not seen elsewhere. 
• English singer-songwriter Connie Constance was the only artist we managed to catch twice - and for good reason. Her brutally honest lyrics and catchy melodies were on point, and her energetic performance was one not to be missed.
• South Korean indie-pop outfit Adoy opened the Korea Spotlight Presented by KOCCA, to a packed venue at the Kyiv Social. Their dreamy sound had us swaying along to each song, and got us pumped for a big night ahead.
• Kyoto's own Otoboke Beaver put on an insane show at The Soda Factory, playing to a crammed room that couldn't get enough of the punk-rock four-piece. Complete with moshpits and the audience yelling along with their middle fingers up, the set was a raw show of energy, with everyone in just the best mood.
• Hailing from New Zealand, Korean indie-pop singer hanbee showcased her dream-like, bubblegum-sweet music, which was hard not to love. Her take on the genre has earned her a decent following online, so we're excited to see what her upcoming 2024 debut album has in store.
• Sarah Kinsley brought her alt-pop to the stage at Barney's Church; performing tracks from her latest EP Ascension. The American singer-songwriter's track The King went viral on TikTok back in 2021, so seeing the artist in action was a great way to kick off the night at such a cool venue.
• As the solo side project of Baskara Putra, Hindia brought in huge crowds at Tumbalong Park, who couldn't get enough of the Indonesian artist's huge set. Backed by his talented band, Hindia ran through his deeply personal songs; all the while encouraging the audience to get up and dance with him. 
• Indie band Sorry from North London played their signature shoegaze blends to a packed audience; switching up their genre throughout the set. Taking their time to work through tracks from their two albums, 925 and Anywhere but Here, it was clear to see how they've gained such a big following worldwide.
• LA native Wallice played her catchy-as-anything indie pop to a packed crowd who bopped along to every word. Having caught Wallice in Melbourne last week, we couldn't wait to catch her one last time before she heads back to the US.
• No stranger to SXSW, Auckland's Will Swinton played a series of shows across the festival, including a particularly intimate show at Mulan Music Restaurant and Bar. The up-and-coming artist's set went down an absolute treat, with hit single Wasted You being a particular highlight.

Local artists

• Our faves Middle Kids dropped by Barney's Church to perform songs from their upcoming album, as well as some crowd favourites. Earlier in the day we managed to catch the band's touring guitarist's solo set under the name Milku, who performed to a big crowd at The Chippo Hotel. 
• We'd been meaning to see Cat & Calmell and Charley for some time, so seeing both acts showed why they are some of the biggest names in breakthrough artists this past year. We can't recommend checking them out for yourselves enough. 
• The wildest mosh title of the festival belongs validly to These New South Whales, while some of the most electric performances came from Newcastle duo RAAVE TAPES at Mulan Music Restaurant and Bar, as well as Trophie and SUPEREGO, who both performed at the incredible Powerhouse Museum. 
• Other favourite sets at the festival included the party atmosphere brought from ASTON at the TikTok Presents Australian Artists to (re)Discover, and pop-supergroup Blusher. Our final recommendations include Melbourne's own Radio Free Alice, and the rapidly rising Mia Wray. 

OUR FAVOURITE EXTRAS

• Wil Anderson and Jan Fran brought a live version of their latest ABC TV comedy show Question Everything to the Great Hall at UTS. With comedians Mel Buttle, Alex Lee and Nath Valvo on their panel, the comedians navigated through recent news headlines; taking them on with their own unique comedy flairs. No subject was safe - with the non-televised event providing a no-holds-barred approach to picking apart the latest news around Australia. Highlights of the show were when the cast realised that their assigned ASL Interpreter had to sign everything they said, leading to them not holding back in the slightest. 
• Young Henrys brought the Rock & Roll Circus to Tumbalong Park, complete with an absolute dynamo of Australian and international talent. Impossible to name everyone who participated; the house band featured members of The Preatures, The Delta Riggs and True Vibenation, who played a set of covers to the absolutely chockers park. Our favourites included Dan Sultan covering INXS, Annie Hamilton performing No Doubt, OG Wiggle Murray Cook performing The Rolling Stones, Tyne-James Organ nailing some Bowie, as well as Hayley Mary's cover of Summer Rain. The whole event had something for everyone, and was exactly what was needed to kick off the night of music. 
• The biggest Esports tournament in Australia returned to Sydney for the first time since 2019, for Intel Extreme Masters at the Aware Super Theatre. Battling it out for the championship over the course of three days, we were thankful to catch one of the quarter-final matches between the US' Complexity and Russia's Betboom teams.
• Gaming and music met at the Games Festival Opening Night Party, held at Fortress Sydney. Performing songs from Stray Gods was voice acting legends Troy Baker and Anjali Bhimani, supported by Aussie singer-songwriter Montaigne, who co-wrote the game's score.

Standout Brand Events and Activations

When our team were exploring all of Sydney, there was no shortage of places to visit and brand events across town. Sponsors pulled out all the stops for some of the most memorable stands and installations. Our favourite places of the festival included: 

• Spotify House at The Lansdowne Hotel; featuring up-and-coming artists and intriguing panels from industry experts.
• American Express X Universal Music House at Barney's Church, which included an insane line up of live acts, free SXSW-branded t-shirts, happy hours, and DJ sets to keep you dancing.
• A Laneway Festival SXSW Sydney Party held at the electric Mulan Music Restaurant & Bar. Ran by the legends behind one of Australia's best indie festivals, the party was chock-ful of local and international artists who are slated to blow up the airwaves.
• Doc Martens presents SXSW Sydney took over The Chippo Hotel, to showcase a diverse bill of artists who are unapologetically themselves. Taking place in the Chippo's basement, Doc Martens' lineup kept the good vibes going with the packed den full of energy.
• Suntory -196 cast a shadow over Tumbalong Park with its 12-metre-tall extreme vending machine. While its ground floor providing plenty of spots to soak up the sun, the first floor was home to the inner workings of the brand's Freeze Crush Infusion technology, as well as a resident DJ. Atop the vending machine was a rooftop bar that offered an incredible view of the festival, Tumbalong Park, and Darling Harbour.
• Amazon's Primeville took you on a journey through the worlds of Jack Reacher, Gen V, and The Summer I Turned Pretty. With plenty of photo ops, snack breaks, and chill vibes, Primeville was the perfect place for a bit of downtime.
• Porsche House fused creativity and innovation, playing host to a slew of experts across the creative industries. Whether it was testing out new camera techniques, getting a new tattoo, or exploring graphic design, Porsche House had you covered.
• AWS Innovation House hosted a series of inspiring talks and presentations on new developments and game-changing companies that are flipping their industries on their heads. 
• Snapchat House merged reality with their AR technology, as they invited visitors to try out filters, and then have them recreated with makeup.  

Expo

SXSW's Tech and Innovation Expo offered a glimpse into the future of business systems, entertainment, health, and education. Featuring developments from both established tech companies, start-ups and indie developers, the expo allowed for a hands-on experience, as well as the chance to tune into sponsored sessions. Our personal highlights included losing ourselves in some VR games, witnessing generative AI imaging in motion, and catching Salesforce's session on the AI revolution.

Screen

The SXSW Sydney Screen Festival celebrated visual storytelling, whether it was featured films, TV premieres, music videos or shorts. Numerous venues across Sydney, such as the ICC's Darling Theatre and Palace Central Cinemas, held screenings for new material in the traditional and non-traditional sense, including VR and mixed reality technologies.

• From screen galas including Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles (Sally Aitken, AU), to Saltburn (Emerald Fennell, UK), to a 40th anniversary restoration of Stop Making Sense (Jonathan Demme, US), there was easily something for everyone. 
• Faraway Downs, Baz Luhrmann's reimagined extended version of his 2008 film Australia, made its world premiere at Darling Harbour Theatre. Now told in six chapters, the premiere was followed by a discussion with Luhrmann, as well as a performance by artist Budjerah.
• A dedicated First Nations Screen Festival was curated by Pauline Clague, founder of Winda Film Festival, which highlighted First Nations storytelling from around the globe. 

Regardless of the conference track followed along at SXSW Sydney, there was always something to stumble upon at the next venue. Since its initial announcement, the festival lived up to the hype and absolutely delivered on bringing together artists, visionaries, futurists, and entrepreneurs from around the world to explore the forefront of emerging trends and ideas. 

From inspiring keynote speakers to cutting-edge showcases, SXSW Sydney proved to be an unmissable experience for those seeking to stay at the cutting edge of arts and technology. As the week drew to a close, we left with a renewed sense of inspiration and a wealth of insights that will undoubtedly shape the future. Until we meet again at SXSW Sydney 2024!

Photo Credit: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney

AUSTRALIANS IN FILM + SCREEN AUSTRALIA

BRING HOLLYWOOD LUMINARIES TO SXSW SYDNEY® 2023

NICOLE KIDMAN, JASON CLARKE, PHILLIP NOYCE

Feature in Two Stand Out Conference Sessions

Showcasing Australia’s top international screen talent.

Friday, 6 October - Sydney: Australians in Film (AiF), the Los Angeles based artist development organization, and their new presenting partner, Screen Australia, today announced they are adding two stand out conference sessions to the Festival line-up for SXSW Sydney 2023.

A SPOTLIGHT ON BLOSSOM FILMS, on Thursday 19th October, takes us inside the award-winning production company Blossom Films (Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing, Love and Death, and the upcoming Expats) with Australian screen icon and longtime supporter of AiF Nicole Kidman and her producing partner Per Saari.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD on Monday 16th October, brings together four of Australia’s greatest exports, the critically acclaimed actor Jason Clarke (Oppenheimer, Mudbound, Winning Time: The Rise of The Lakers Dynasty and Zero Dark Thirty) and legendary director Phillip Noyce (Salt, The Quiet American, Revenge, The Resident) with Hollywood trailblazer, actor Charmaine Bingwa (The Good Fight), who sits on the AiF Advisory Board and Hollywood breakout screenwriter Amy Wang (Crazy Rich Asians 2), who will share their insights into working in Hollywood, their trajectory to get there, and how that success can be returned to Australia.

These unmissable sessions are profiling some of the leading voices of the global screen industry as SXSW Sydney shines as a leading city for nurturing creative talent. Previously announced featured speakers in the screen industry have included; Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker, Australian screen legend Leah Purcell and Hollywood Producer Bruna Papandrea, alongside innovators in other forward-looking industries including Chance The Rapper, AI expert Amy Webb and Slack Co-Founder Cal Henderson.

Emma Cooper, Chair of Australians in Film said today; “Over the past 20 years, AiF has created a unique and supportive community of Australian screen talent in Los Angeles, from emerging actors and filmmakers through to our most revered screen icons. We are excited to have this opportunity to bring the spirit and energy of AiF and our Hollywood community to SXSW Sydney, together with our partner Screen Australia.”

Graeme Mason, CEO of Screen Australia said; "As SXSW Sydney approaches, we're thrilled to unveil two exciting Headline Speaker Sessions in partnership with AiF. These new sessions bring an incredibly unique opportunity for attendees to hear from leading international screen talent – up close and personal, and support our industry professionals to achieve their goals. Afterall, this is what SXSW is all about, and we’re delighted that we can play a role in this internationally renowned event.

Colin Daniels, Managing Director of SXSW Sydney said; “From the team at SXSW Sydney, I’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Australians in Film and Screen Australia for their ongoing support. We appreciate the time everyone is taking to travel and join us in our first year – our story will be about these visionaries, and about the diverse and compelling voices emerging alongside them.” 

AiF + Screen Australia Sessions

Spotlight on Blossom Films: an industry showcase with award-winning producers and founders Nicole Kidman and Per Saari, presented by Australians in Film and Screen Australia.

From their debut project, John Cameron Mitchell’s Rabbit Hole in 2010 to the Emmy award winning Big Little Lies, directed by the late Jean Marc Vallée, to the upcoming Lulu Wang series Expats, Blossom Films’ founders have always passionately championed cutting-edge filmmakers. 

In this exclusive conversation, Kidman and Saari discuss their approach to working with some of the world’s best visionary filmmakers, what they look for in creative partners, their future slate of Australian projects including the adaptation of Liane Moriarty's The Last Anniversary and the process of getting their most recent limited series Love and Death (HBO 2023) to the screen. 

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood: with Charmaine Bingwa, Jason Clarke, Phillip Noyce and Amy Wang.

An inside look at Hollywood with Australians starring in front of and behind the camera. Our panelists will share their Hollywood insights and what they have learned, their trajectory to get there, and how that success and knowledge can be brought back to Australia.

With actor Jason Clarke (Oppenheimer, Mudbound, Winning Time: The Rise of The Lakers Dynasty and Zero Dark Thirty) and legendary director Phillip Noyce (Salt, The Quiet American, Revenge, The Resident) alongside Hollywood trailblazer, actor Charmaine Bingwa (The Good Fight) and Hollywood breakout screenwriter Amy Wang (Crazy Rich Asians 2).

Accessing SXSW Sydney 2023 – Badges and Wristbands: 

Badges are your master key for SXSW Sydney – they open the doors to a stacked program over 1,000 events across the week-long event, from its Conference and Tech & Innovation Expo to its Music, Screen and Games Festivals.

Wristbands give access to SXSW Sydney’s Music, Screen or Games festivals, for performances, screenings and showcases.

As they are conference sessions, it is only possible to see the Spotlight on Blossom Films and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sessions with a SXSW Sydney 2023 badge.

Badges and Wristbands are now available at sxswsydney.com. 

SXSW Sydney® 2023 Screen Festival Program delivers a showcase of the best of Asia-Pacific and global screen innovation. 

In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW®

SXSW Sydney® 2023 Screen Festival Program delivers a showcase of the best of Asia-Pacific and global screen innovation

New screening announcements include: Saltburn, Stop Making Sense, Ryuichi Sakamoto|Opus and ONEFOUR: Against All Odds

Sydney, Australia – Thursday 21 September – The full program for the inaugural SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival, with Official Major Sponsor Telstra, has been revealed today. Heading to Sydney for the first time outside of Austin, Texas this October, the Screen arm of the famed futurist event includes trailblazing content from all corners of the globe, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific.

The robust program reveals the breadth of the festival and showcases Sydney as a global hub for the creative industries, with over 75 Feature Film and TV screenings. Announced today, a Bush Shorts package co-programmed with Winda Film Festival, joins the previously announced short films to total 40 Shorts, 20 Music Videos and 13 XR Projects, with more still to come.

Screen creatives from different specialities will present everything from traditional film and TV projects to hyper-real XR experiences and hybrid forms and genres to offer a peek at the next frontier of screen-based entertainment. The Screen Festival offer is supported by an unmissable Conference, profiling some of the leading voices of the global screen community as Sydney shines as a leading city for nurturing creative talent. Announced headline and featured speakers include: Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker, filmmakers Leah Purcell, Jub Clerc, Bruna Papandrea, and more.

“The first ever SXSW Sydney Screen Festival aims to platform the most exciting new voices, new forms and new ways of creating on screen. We hope to inspire our audiences and industry, by unwrapping the future of Screen innovation as it emerges,” said Head of Screen, Ghita Loebenstein.

“Like our Austin counterparts, our Festival presents global programming from leading creators, and our unique offer is this distinctive Asia Pacific lens. We also thematically lean into our sister pillars across Music, Games and Tech, celebrating where our forms and communities converge. Most of all, SXSW Sydney is a Festival which earnestly centres vision, irreverence and fun!”

Of the program, Telstra’s Principal of Media, Sponsorship & Awards, Genelle Sharples says: “SXSW is known around the world as the pinnacle festival that celebrates creativity and we look forward to celebrating and showcasing this creativity in film and screen content from Australia, the Asia Pacific, and across the globe. As the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival Sponsor we are excited for everyone to experience the talented storytelling on show.”

Joining previously announced opening night film the Australian Premiere of Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel, with Kitty Green and Hugo Weaving in attendance; and World premiere Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles, with director Sally Aitken and The Wiggles in attendance; the Festival welcomes further headlining Gala events: the Australian Premiere of summery, aristocratic thriller, Saltburn from acclaimed director Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), starring Australian Jacob Elordi; the World Premiere of music documentary ONEFOUR: Against All Odds, about the Western Sydney drill rap band, with director Gabriel Gasparinatos and producers Sarah Noonan, Erin Moy and Jennifer Peedom attending; the Australian Premiere of Ryuichi Sakamoto|Opus, the final recorded concert from the late, lauded Japanese composer; and a Special Presentation of the highly-anticipated 4K re-release of Talking Heads 1984 concert film, Stop Making Sense, directed by Jonathan Demme. All films at the Darling Harbour Theatre screen in Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham says: “SXSW Sydney will be a unique event that celebrates the ability to wander from place to place, a roving festival offering activations to enjoy along with other members of this creative community – it will be an experience that people are going to love. If you’re not on board by now, you’ve got a month to get on board to celebrate the incredible creative people and places we have here in Sydney.”

The announcement of SXSW Sydney’s 2023 Screen Festival Program builds on a stacked line-up of more than 1,000 ground-breaking events across Tech and Innovation, Games, Music, Screen and Culture, as Sydney becomes the global epicentre for the creative industries from 15-22 October.

Galas: Big names, big premieres. Gala film events with major and rising names in new cinema.

• Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles (AU), directed by Sally Aitken and Fraser Grut
• ONEFOUR: Against All Odds (AU), directed by Gabriel Gasparinatos
• Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus (Japan), directed by Neo Sora
• Saltburn (UK), directed by Emerald Fennell
• The Royal Hotel (AU), Opening Night Gala, directed by Kitty Green  

For the First Nations spotlight, founder and Artistic Director of Winda Film Festival, programmer Pauline Clague has curated a celebration of Blak and First Nations storytelling from across the world, including both features and shorts.

The program includes: Winner of the Calgary IFF 2022 Audience Choice Award for Music on Screen, Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On; the true story of incredible kindness, Don’t Bury Me Without Ivan; and the nuanced exploration of marginalisation in Fancy Dance, starring Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon).

Pauline Clague said: “The features and shorts in the Winda selection highlights diverse and important storytelling at SXSW Sydney, ensuring First Nations and Indigenous stories are at the forefront. From creatives globally, the selection spans five countries, showcasing the voices of tomorrow.”

First Nations program, co-presented by Winda Film Festival:

• Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On (US), directed by Madison Thomas
• Don’t Bury Me Without Ivan (Russia), directed by Lyubov Borisova
• Fancy Dance (US), directed by Erica Tremblay
• Rosie (Canada), directed by Gail Maurice
• Alanngut Killinganni (The Edge of the Shadows) (Greenland), directed by Malik Kleist

Shorts: Short, sharp, bright, bold. The next gen of screen creators. Four Shorts programs, previously announced here are now joined by a program of Bush Shorts co-presented by Winda Film Festival and programmed by Pauline Clague:

• Bangay Lore (AU), directed by Jahvis Loveday
• Black Time, White Time (AU), directed by Edoardo Crismani
• Marlu man (AU), directed by Gary Humanchi
• Tambo (AU), directed by Travis Akabar
• The Getaway (AU), directed by Adam Jenkins
• The Tale of Mr. Kimberly (AU), directed by Sam Lovell and Jack Blackburn
• Wanmari (AU), directed by Jake Duczynski

Visions is the Screen Festival’s main slate. Bold, emerging cinema across narrative, doc and hybrid forms. 

Highlights from the Visions section include: South Korea’s official entry for Best International Feature Film in the 2024 Academy Awards, the disaster epic Concrete Utopia; black comedy horror, Sleep, starring Lee Sun-kyun (Parasite) from first-time South Korean director Jason Yu (previously assistant to Bong Joon-ho); a rousing counter-argument to Barbiemania, Black Barbie; a heartwarming coming-of-age documentary about a John Farnham–themed musical, This Is Going to be Big; a playful subversion on traditional narrative from an exciting new voice in Japanese cinema, Yui Kiyohara, with Remembering Every Night; Indian-Australian queer story about cultural shame set in Western Sydney, Sahela; and Lab Rat, a groundbreaking interactive film about a neurological experiment, which invites the audience to participate in real time, as a community-game.

Visions: The Main Slate. Bold, emerging cinema across narrative, doc and hybrid forms.

• Agra (India), directed by Kanu Behl
• All Ears (China), directed by Jiayin Liu
• Andragogy (Indonesia), directed by Wregas Bhanuteja
• Asog (Canada/Philippines), directed by Seán Devlin
• Bassendream (AU), directed by Tim Barretto
• Black Barbie (US), directed by Lagueria Davis
• Concrete Utopia (South Korea), directed by Um Tae-hwa
• Deep Rising (US), directed by Matthieu Rytz
• Deep Sea (China), directed by Xiaopeng Tian
• Gagaland (China), directed by Yuhan Teng
• Knit’s Island (France), directed by Ekiem Barbier, Guilhem Causse and Quentin L'Helgouac'h
• Lab Rat (US), directed by Austin Smith, produced by Devo Harris
• La Lucha (AU/Bolivia), directed by Violeta Ayala
• Last Stop Larrimah (US/AU), directed by Thomas Tancred
• Like & Share (Indonesia), directed by Gina S. Noer
• Mars Express (France), directed by Jéréme Périn
• New Strains (US), directed by Prashanth Kamalakanthan and Artemis Shaw
• Nowhere Near (Philippines), directed by Miko Revereza
• Otto Baxter: Not A F***ing Horror Story (UK), directed by Bruce Fletcher, Otto Baxter and Peter Beard
• Paco (AU), directed by Tim Carlier
• Remembering Every Night (Japan), directed by Yui Kiyohara
• Residency (US), directed by Winnie Cheung
• River (Japan), directed Junta Yamaguchi
• Sahela (AU), directed by Raghuvir Joshi
• So Unreal (US), directed by Amanda Kramer
• Space: The Longest Goodbye (Israel), directed by Ido Mazrahy
• Stolen (India), directed by Karan Tejpal
• The Fantastic Golem Affairs (Spain), directed by Juan Gozález and Nando Martínez
• The Feeling That the Time For Doing Something Has Passed (US), directed by Joanna Arnow
• The Human Surge 3 (Argentina), directed by Eduardo Williams
• The Last Year of Darkness (US/China), directed by Ben Mullinkosson
• The New Americans: Gaming A Revolution (US), directed by Ondi Timoner
• The Rooster (AU), directed by Mark Leonard Winter
• This Is Going to be Big (AU), directed by Thomas Charles Hyland
• Time Bomb Y2K (US), directed by Brian Becker and Marley McDonald
• Tokyo Uber Blues (Japan), directed by Taku Aoyagi
• Uproar (NZ), directed by Hamish Bennett and Paul Middleditch
• Voices in Deep (AU), directed by Jason Raftopoulos

SXSW Sydney Midnighters are scary, funny, and culty films, for night owls and the genre-curious. Highlights from Midnighters include: a nostalgic kids-caper shot on 16mm, Riddle of Fire; unforgettable, lo-fi-sci-fi techno-tech thriller Divinity, produced by Steven Soderbergh with music composition by DJ Muggs; a queer, bloody, monster-infested road movie, Satranic Panic, from bold Australian talent-to-watch Alice Maio Mackay; and The People’s Joker, a parodic coming-of-age which emerges from the underground, stretching the limits of digital and queer storytelling.

Midnighters: Scary, funny, and culty films, for night owls and the genre-curious.  

• Divinity (US), directed by Eddie Alcazar
• In Flames (Pakistan/Canada), directed by Zarrar Kahn
• Loop Track (NZ), directed by Tom Sainsbury
• Monolith (AU), directed by Matt Vesely
• Riddle of Fire (US), directed by Weston Razooli
• Satranic Panic (AU), directed by Alice Maio Mackay
• Sleep (South Korea), directed by Jason Yu
• The Invisible Fight (Estonia), directed by Rainer Sarnet
• The People’s Joker (US), directed by Vera Drew
• You’ll Never Find Me (AU), directed by Josiah Allen and Indianna Bell

With SXSW Sydney’s natural affinity to all things sonic, the Screen Festival’s Music section celebrates the sounds, culture and influence of music and fandom on screen.

Highlights from Music include: a rich archival account of the devastating, infamous undoing of the former superstar pop duo in Milli Vanilli; an intimate documentary on America’s best-selling girl group, TLC Forever; never-before-seen footage chronicling Cyndi Lauper’s trailblazing journey as a musician and activist in Let the Canary Sing; and a career-spanning portrait of Ukrainian immigrant and punk legend Eugene Hütz in Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story.

• Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg (US), directed by Alexis Bloom and Svetlana Zill
• Cypher (US), directed by Chris Moukarbel
• Jamojaya (US/Indonesia), directed by Justin Chon
• Let the Canary Sing (US), directed by Alison Ellwood
• Milli Vanilli (US), directed by Luke Korem
• Peter Doherty: Stranger In My Own Skin (US), directed by Katia deVidas
• Plastic (Japan), directed by Daisuke Miyazaki
• Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story (US), directed by Nate Pommer and Eric Weinrib
• TLC Forever (US), directed by Matt Kay

The Screen Festival will also host several Special Presentations, including:

• Lake Mungo (AU), Joel Anderson’s feature debut from 2008 about strange events that occur after a girl is found drowned, is heralded by genre-enthusiasts as one of Australia’s best and scariest ghost films. This 4K remastered retrospective screening, presented in collaboration with Umbrella Entertainment, brings a true home-grown classic back from the dead.
• Stop Making Sense (US), This 4K restoration of the 1984 Talking Heads concert film, directed by Jonathan Demme, coincides with the film’s 40th anniversary. Considered by critics and fans to be the greatest concert film of all time, SXSW Sydney will screen the NSW Premiere in 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound.

TV Premieres feature premieres of prestige episodics and SXSW Sydney’s highlights include: SBS and Screen Australia’s latest Digital Originals series Korean/Australian horror anthology Night Bloomers, Korean romantic comedy Doona!, starring retired K-pop sensation Suzy Bae, Indian/Pakistani love triangle drama The Pink Shirt, and SBS’s Erotic Stories, an anthology of erotic and intimate stories told from fresh perspectives, an anthology of sexy, intimate and diverse stories penned by emerging Australian writers, with cast and crew in attendance. 

TV Premieres: Premieres of prestige episodics:

• Doona!  (South Korea), directed by Jung Hyo Lee
• Erotic Stories (AU), directed by Leticia Cáceres and Madeleine Gottlieb
• Night Bloomers (AU), directed by Andrew Undi Lee
• The Disposables (AU), directed by Renny Wijeyamohan and Sonia Whiteman
• The Pink Shirt (India/Pakistan), directed by Kashif Nisar

Music Videos showcase the breakout stars of APAC music video culture, and the SXSW Sydney Screen playlist includes: A world of magical realism in Isyana Sarasvati – "My Mystery;" diasporic Filipinx contemporary fantasy in BVT – "Lalaki;" Korean-Australian hip hop from Sydney with 1300 – "Rocksta;" and the joyously camp story of a “Ghetto Popstar,” Rodney Chrome – "To the Money".

• 1300 – "Rocksta" (AU), directed by Raghav Rampal
• ASHWARYA – "Up In My Head" (AU), directed by Charles Buxton-Leslie
• BABYMETAL – "METALI!! メタり！！" feat. Tom Morello (Japan)
• Black Cab – "Superfans!" (AU), directed by Darcy Conlan
• Bumpy – "Return Home" (AU), directed by Lewis Robert
• BVT – "Lalaki" (AU), directed by Steph Jowett
• Chela – "Hard 4 You" (AU), directed by Genevieve Gorman Deane
• Confidence Man – "Feels Like a Different Thing" (AU), directed by William Bleakley
• Ema I'u – "Flower of Life" (AU), directed by Francis Baker
• Genesis Owusu – "Leaving the Light" (AU), directed by Lisa Reihana
• Golden Features – "Vigil" (AU), directed by William Bleakley
• Isyana Sarasvati – "My Mystery" (Indonesia), directed by Habille Elgieano
• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – "Black Hot Soup" (DJ Shadow “My Own Reality” Re-Write) (AU), directed by John Angus Stewart
• Lastlings – "Noise" (AU), directed by Harrison Friend and Sam Stevenson
• Maie – "Kosmo" (AU/China), directed by Reggie Ba-Pe III and William Mok
• Phum Viphurit – "Welcome Change" (Thailand), directed by Kuttiya Kanchanasopawong
• Rodney Chrome – "To the Money" (US), directed by Zachary Dov Wiesel
• Sahara Beck – "Nothing Wrong With That" (AU), directed by Jack Rintoul
• Ta-ku – "SMILE" feat. Xavier Omär, DAISY WORLD & ROMderful (AU), directed by Regan Mathews (aka Ta-ku)
• The Dinosaur's Skin 恐龍的皮 – "In My Dreams (You're Not Extinct)" (Taiwan), directed by 郭佩萱 Pei-Hsuan Guo

The SXSW Sydney XR Showcase:  A spotlight on outstanding immersive projects using virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) technologies in narrative and non-fiction storytelling. These experiential works demonstrate new ways of amplifying how we perceive and interact with the world around us. The Showcase features:

• 444.2 (AU/SA), created by Nirma Madhoo. Australian Premiere.
  Experience a superposition of ancient African cultures of technology with the virtual geography of the Southern African Large Telescope [SALT], as a landmark of modern astrophysics.
• Antipsychotic (US), created by Matt McCorkle. Australian Premiere.
  This non-linear, interactive docu-music album aims to help destigmatise mental illness by allowing the user to journey through the mind of an individual with bipolar disorder.
• From the Main Square (Germany), created by Pedro Harres. Australian Premiere.
  A civilization blossoms, with all its contradictions, only to become a danger to itself in this interactive VR experience depicting the disturbingly resonant rise and fall of a divided society.
• Julaymba (AU), created by Joseph Purdam. World Premiere.
  A groundbreaking Mixed Reality experience that offers an immersive journey through the Daintree Rainforest, and learn about the Traditional Owners’ relationship with nature.
• Libertas Vanitas (AU), created by Shaun Gladwell. World Premiere.
  A meditation on the concept of ‘Liberty’ within and beyond the charter of liberal democracies, featuring soundtrack ‘Madwoman’s Vision’ (1988) by American composer Meredith Monk.
• Pedal Rebel VR (AU), created by Jonathan Kovarch. NSW Premiere.
  Pedal Rebel VR is an adrenaline-pumping cyberpunk motorcycle street racing game that transforms an exercise bike and VR headset into an immersive racing experience!
• Prison X (AU/Bolivia), created by Violeta Ayala and Daniel Fallshaw. Australian Premiere.
  Step into the surreal world of Prison X, an infamous Bolivian jail inside a Neo-Andean underworld filled with devils, saints, and corruption. Bolivian-Australian director Violeta Ayala's 2023 documentary La Lucha is also screening at SXSW Sydney.
• Reimagined Vol II: Mahal (US) created by Michaela Ternasky-Holland. Australian Premiere.
  Inspired by Philippine mythology (lead creator, Michaela is of Filipino descent), the experience focuses four mythic deities whose grief ripples through their universe.
• Square Circles (AU), Created by William Barton and Stephen King. NSW Premiere.
  An immersive journey through composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Kalkadunga man William Barton's ancestral song-line. Barton is widely recognised as one of Australia's leading didgeridoo players and composers. Features the Australian String Quartet.
• Stay Alive My Son (Parts 1 & 2) (Greece, UK) created by Victoria Bousis. Australian Premiere.
  Based on the internationally celebrated memoirs of Pin Yathay, Tu vivras, mon fils, this gamified documentary puts the player into the shoes of a Cambodian genocide survivor and father, transforming joy, grief, guilt, and empowerment in the virtual world to inspire change in the real.
• Through the Eyes of Our Ancestors (AU), created by Mod. World Premiere.
  A holographic experience featuring First Nations Traditional Owner, Nicholas Thompson-Wymarra, sharing stories from Gudang Yadhaykenu Country in Australia’s remote far north, the northern Cape York Peninsula.
• TOMO VR (NZ), created by Gabrielle Thomas and Ed Davis. Australian Premiere.
  Adapted from a stage show about the whakapapa of light and darkness, birth, life and death and the dream space. Gabrielle Thomas is a choreographer and dancer of Kāi Tahu and Te Atiawa ki te Tau Ihu descent.

Further SXSW Sydney 2023 XR Showcase projects to be announced.

Plus, a Special Presentation of Australian Artist and Filmmaker, Lynette Wallworth’s Awavena 2.0 (AU). In 2018, the original version of Awavena premiered at Sundance Film Festival exhibited at Venice Film Festival. This is the first time this Emmy award-winning experience has been deployed to mobile VR for untethered stand-alone viewing.

In Competition
Recognising APAC creatives at the leading edge of creativity, imagination and innovation, SXSW Sydney is pleased to announce the following Feature films are in competition at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival.

• All Ears (China), directed by Jiayin Liu
• Andragogy (Indonesia), directed by Wregas Bhanuteja
• Voices in Deep (AU), directed by Jason Raftopoulos
• Remembering Every Night (Japan), directed by Yui Kiyohara
• Gagaland (China), directed by Yuhan Teng
• Plastic (Japan), directed by Daisuke Miyazaki
• You’ll Never Find Me (AU), directed by Josiah Allen and Indianna Bell
• Nowhere Near (Philippines), directed by Miko Revereza
• The Last Year of Darkness (US/China), directed by Ben Mullinkosson
• Tokyo Uber Blues (Japan), directed by Taku Aoyagi

Recognising APAC creatives at the leading edge of creativity, imagination and innovation, SXSW Sydney is pleased to announce the following short films are in competition at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival.

• Architect A (South Korea), directed by Jonghoon Lee
• Hyperconnect (AU), directed by Jim Muntisov
• Basri & Salma in a Never-Ending Comedy (Indonesia), directed by Khozy Rizal
• On Film (AU), directed by Emma Hough Hobbs
• Eid Mubarak (Pakistan), directed by Mahnoor Euceph
• Rival Dealer (AU), directed by John Angus Stewart
• False as a Beach (AU), directed by Stephanie Jane Day
• Sugar Rag (US/AU), directed by Jai Love LaPan
• Sweet Juices (AU), directed by Sejon Im, Will Suen
• The Tale of Mr. Kimberley (AU), directed by Jake Blackburn and Sam Lovell

Recognising APAC creatives at the leading edge of creativity, imagination and innovation, SXSW Sydney is pleased to announce the following XR projects are in competition at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival.

• 444.2 (AU/SA), created by Nirma Madhoo - World Premiere.
• Julaymba (AU), created by Joseph Purdam - World Premiere.
• Libertas Vanitas (AU), created by Shaun Gladwell - World Premiere.
• Pedal Rebel VR (AU), created by Jonathan Kovarch - NSW Premiere.
• Prison X (AU/Bolivia), created by Violeta Ayala and Daniel Fallshaw - Australian Premiere.
• Square Circles (AU), Created by William Barton and Stephen King - NSW Premiere.
• Through the Eyes of Our Ancestors (AU), created by Mod - World Premiere.
• TOMO VR (NZ), created by Gabrielle Thomas and Ed Davis - Australian Premiere.

Free Outdoor Screenings at Tumbalong Park
The SXSW Sydney Screen Festival will host free outdoor screenings at Tumbalong Park as part of its public program across the festival week. The program is based on highlights from SXSW (Austin)’s own back-catalogue of crowd favourites, including:

• Taika Waititi's endlessly quotable vampire comedy What We Do In The Shadows (Premiered in Austin at SXSW 2014)
• Richard Linklater, the quintessential Austin Filmmaker’s coming age comedy Dazed & Confused (screened in 2003 as a celebration 10 years since the film’s release).
• The original much-loved anime Ghost in the Shell (1995) follows a cyber-enhanced police officer hunts down a rogue hacker, blurring the lines between humanity and artificial intelligence. (Premiered in Austin at SXSW 1996).

Plus more to be announced.

Adding to the previous announcement of The Royal Hotel as the opening night film, Melbourne producer Harvey Sutherland will DJ on the Tumbalong Stage at the opening night party following the screening. This forms part of the free program offering and is open to all, on Sunday 15 October at Tumbalong Park.

Venues: Darling Harbour Theatre at ICC Sydney and Palace Cinemas Central. The XR Showcase is housed within the Tech & Innovation Expo, Halls 6 & 7 at ICC Sydney. 

Further Galas and Screen programming to be announced soon.

In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW®

Black Mirror Creator Charlie Brooker

joins SXSW Sydney 2023 as Headline Speaker

Sydney, Australia – Thursday 14 September - Creator of mind-bending Netflix anthology series Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker, joins SXSW Sydney as a headline speaker at the futurist event taking place for the first time outside of Austin, Texas in October. Revealing humanity’s worst traits, greatest innovations and the darkest side of our future, Black Mirror shocks audiences with every episode. Much like SXSW Sydney, Black Mirror provides commentary on our potential futures and how we can shape them.

Charlie joins a stacked program of over 1,000 ground-breaking events and sessions which draw inspiration from visionary thinkers worldwide across Tech and Innovation, Screen, Music, Games and Culture as Sydney becomes the worldwide epicentre for the creative industries.

Charlie Brooker says, “Having to quickly provide a personal quote for a press release about how excited I am to join the inaugural Sydney-flavoured SXSW event is exactly the sort of thing ChatGPT is for, but I’ve written this one myself because I still care about our species, dammit. Although I initially misspelt “inaugural” just then until I got corrected by a machine, so actually maybe we’re just rubbish. This tense love-hate relationship with technology is what Black Mirror is all about. That and stories about Prime Ministers and pigs. Anyway, I can’t wait to attend and get so cowed by all the creativity and innovation on display that I go home feeling depressed and inadequate. I’m genuinely looking forward to it.”

Colin Daniels, Managing Director, SXSW Sydney says: "SXSW Sydney seeks to offer unique perspectives of the future, making Charlie Brooker an ideal speaker for our event. Black Mirror consistently leads the cultural conversation on what we face in the now or may confront in our future, offering a chance for reflection and change. Charlie embodies what attendees can expect from SXSW Sydney; creativity and innovation."

As Sydney shines as a leading city for culture and creativity in the week-long festival of innovation and artistic expression, Charlie will appear alongside previously announced headline speakers including GRAMMY Award winner Chance The Rapper, Coachella festival CEO Paul Tollett, visionary Slack Co-Founder Cal Henderson, futurist and AI expert Amy Webb.

Over 700 world-leading speakers and industry leaders already announced including:

De-extinction entrepreneur Ben Lamm, Motion Picture Association CEO Charles Rivkin, advertising icon David Droga, Google Australia MD Mel Silva, Netflix ANZ Director of Content Que Minh Luu, broadcaster Osher Günsberg, World Surfing Champion Layne Beachley, tech entrepreneur Paul Bassat, Reddit CMO Roxy Young, artistic director Wesley Enoch, Expedia CTO Rathi Murthy and many more.

More than 300 panels and sessions to keep you at the forefront, covering topics including:

Brain-computer interfaces, the future of lab-grown meat, First Nations knowledge in design, ethical living with robots, AI fluency, Big Tech transparency, re-imagining news media, how recruitment will become more like online dating, venture capital in 2050, when music videos meet AI, the future of love and more. 

SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, with Official Major Sponsor Telstra, includes:

Red carpet premieres at the ICC’s Darling Harbour Theatre and cinemas across the inner city; an XR showcase, conference sessions, activations, parties, meet-ups and ‘Minimart’, a SXSW Sydney-flavoured Screen market for investors, buyers, producers and creatives. Films already announced include Opening Night Film and AUS Premiere of Aussie outback thriller The Royal Hotel, Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg(US), about the Rolling Stones muse; Jamojaya (US), about Indonesian rap star Brian Imanuel (Rich Brian); The Last Year of Darkness (US/CN), a bass-heavy and neon-coloured portrait of alternative Chinese youth, and the world premiere of Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles. The full Screen Festival program including over 75 features, five Shorts programs, TV premieres, music videos and an XR Showcase, will be announced on Thursday, 21 September.

Over 300 artist performances, including ones from 100 artists now announced:

Your new favourite artist is playing SXSW Sydney 2023. Check out a line-up of the best new faces from around the world featuring TikTok stars Flyana Boss, Indonesian triple threat Isyana Sarasvati, Japanese punks Otoboke Beaver, rising Blak hip-hop powerhouse Miss Kannina and NZ’s genre-bending Will Swinton.

Accessing SXSW Sydney – Badges and Wristbands:

Badges are your master key for SXSW Sydney – they open the doors to all activity across the week-long event, from its Conference and Tech & Innovation Expo to its Music, Screen and Games Festivals. As he is a conference speaker, it is only possible to see Charlie Brooker with a badge.

Wristbands give access to SXSW Sydney’s Music, Screen or Games festivals, for performances, screenings and showcases.

Music Festival: 300 performances in 25 venues over 4 nights.  

Screen Festival: unlimited screenings over one week.

Games Festival: 150 new indie games and parties over 6 nights. 

Badges and Wristbands are now available at sxswsydney.com.

Brands participating include:

Super Sponsors CommBank and Qantas, Major Sponsors Young Henrys and Telstra, Education Partner UTS, Accommodation Partner Accor, Event Partners Accenture, Amex and Universal Music Australia, Defender, Dr. Martens, Handsome Tours, Laneway Festival, Prime Video, Seven, The Orchard, Vans and YEG, International House Canada House, SXSW Sydney Pitch presenter VentureCrowd and Conference Track Sponsors CSIRO and Main Sequence, WPP, Culture Amp, Kingfisher and Remote.

In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW® 

Photo Credit: Michael Wharley

In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW®
 

Honouring 50 Years of Hip Hop
with Chance The Rapper
 

Sydney, Australia – Monday 11 September - This October, multiple GRAMMY Award winner Chance The Rapper will be speaking at South by Southwest Sydney® 2023, a week-long festival in the heart of Sydney. He joins a stacked program of over 1,000 ground-breaking events and sessions on Tech and Innovation, Games, Music, Screen and Culture as the city becomes the worldwide epicentre for the creative industries. 

Chance is joining a global community of artists raising their remarkable voices to celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop, reflecting on its indelible impact on both his beloved Chicago South Side and a world of fans. Once aptly described by President Barack Obama as “an outstanding role model,” the rapper, singer-songwriter, producer and humanitarian continues to pay his incredible success forward, empowering creative leaders for the next 50 years through his SocialWorks foundation and roving international Black Star Line Festival. 

Chance The Rapper says, “As we celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop in 2023, I'm reminded of the transformative power this culture has had, not just on the world stage, but on the streets of Chicago's South Side. Hip Hop has provided a rhythm to our stories and a canvas for our creativity. I’m really looking forward to joining SXSW Sydney as a speaker to expound upon Hip Hop’s transcendent legacy.” 

Colin Daniels, Managing Director, SXSW Sydney says: "Chance The Rapper is renowned for both his chart topping and community advocacy. There’s few out there like him, who take what they've made and use it to build the dreams of others. His genre-blurring sounds reverberate across generations, making him a powerful voice to reflect on the past 50 Years of Hip Hop. His unique perspective bridges the gap between the genre's rich history and its dynamic future." 

Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham says: “Chance The Rapper is another excellent addition to the list of creative industry voices at the inaugural SXSW Sydney. Hip hop is part of the creative fabric that makes up the music community here in NSW. We have some incredibly talented hip hop artists in our community. As the state’s first Minister for Music, I am excited to hear the conversation on the future of music and hip hop as we celebrate 50 years.” 

This October, Sydney will shine as a leading city for nurturing creative industries, hosting a week-long festival program that serves as a hotbed of innovation and artistic expression. Drawing inspiration from visionary thinkers worldwide, SXSW Sydney 2023 will feature an impressive line-up of over 1,000 groundbreaking events and networking sessions across the pillars of Tech & Innovation, Music, Screen, Games and Culture.  

Chance will be appearing alongside previously announced headline speakers making their way to Sydney, Asia-Pacific's creative industry capital, including Slack Co-Founder Cal Henderson, futurist and AI expert Amy Webb, Coachella festival CEO Paul Tollett and AEG Presents SVP Global Touring Michael Harrison, plus many more.  

Over 700 industry-leading speakers, including:  

De-extinction entrepreneur Ben Lamm, Motion Picture Association CEO Charles Rivkin, advertising icon David Droga, Google Australia MD Mel Silva, Netflix ANZ Director of Content Que Minh Luu, broadcaster Osher Günsberg, World Surfing Champion Layne Beachley, tech entrepreneur Paul Bassat, Reddit CMO Roxy Young, artistic director Wesley Enoch, Expedia CTO Rathi Murthy and many more.  

More than 300 panels and sessions to keep you at the forefront, covering topics including:  

Brain-computer interfaces, the future of lab-grown meat, First Nations knowledge in design, ethical living with robots, AI fluency, Big Tech transparency, re-imagining news media, how recruitment will become more like online dating, venture capital in 2050, when music videos meet AI, the future of love and more.  

Over 300 music performances: 

Your new favourite artist is playing SXSW Sydney 2023. Check out a line-up of the best new faces from around the world featuring TikTok stars Flyana Boss, Indonesian triple threat Isyana Sarasvati, Japanese punks Otoboke Beaver, rising Blak hip-hop powerhouse Miss Kannina and NZ’s genre-bending Will Swinton, presented by SXSW Sydney Official Music Partners Young Henrys. 

Brands participating include:  

Super Sponsors CommBank and Qantas, Major Sponsors Young Henrys and Telstra, Education Partner UTS, Accommodation Partner Accor, Event Partners Accenture, Amex and Universal Music Australia, Defender, Dr. Martens, Handsome Tours, Laneway Festival, Prime Video, Seven, The Orchard, Vans and YEG, International House Canada House, SXSW Sydney Pitch presenter VentureCrowd and Conference Track Sponsors CSIRO and Main Sequence, WPP, Culture Amp, Kingfisher and Remote. 

SXSW Sydney Screen Festival includes:  

Red carpet premieres at the ICC’s Darling Theatre and cinemas across the inner city; an XR showcase, conference sessions, activations, parties, meet-ups and ‘Minimart’, a SXSW Sydney-flavoured Screen market for investors, buyers, producers and creatives. Films include Opening Night Film (and AUS Premiere) of Aussie Outback thriller The Royal Hotel, Anita (US), about Rolling Stones Muse Anita Pallenberg; Jamojaya (US), Indonesian rap star Brian Imanuel (Rich Brian) stars as an up-and-coming musician; The Last Year of Darkness (US/CN) Bass-heavy and neon-coloured portrait of alternative Chinese youth. Finally, the festival will feature the world premiere of the Wiggles documentary, Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles.
 

Accessing SXSW Sydney – Badges and Wristbands: 

Badges are your master key for SXSW Sydney – they open the doors to all activity across the week-long event, from its Conference and Tech & Innovation Expo to its Music, Screen and Games Festivals. As he is a conference speaker, it is only possible to see Chance The Rapper with a badge.  

Wristbands give access to SXSW Sydney’s Music, Screen or Games festivals, for performances, screenings and showcases.  

• Music Festival: 300 performances in 25 venues over 4 nights.   
• Screen Festival: unlimited screenings over one week. 
• Games Festival: 150 new indie games and parties over 6 nights.  

Current pricing for both Badges and Wristbands is available until Midnight on Wednesday 13 September. For more information, head to sxswsydney.com.  

In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW®  

Photo Credit: Keeley Parenteau 

In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW®

33 short films announced as part of the Shorts Program at the SXSW Sydney® 2023 Screen Festival

Featured across four Shorts programs, highlighted voices include Comedians Diana Nguyen (Please Like Me) and Tommy Dassalo, Acclaimed Journalist Lee Lin Chin, Actors Adele Perovic (Total Control), Catherine Van-Davies (The Twelve), Cricket Arrison (The Mirror), Shirong Wu (Appetite), and Thom Green (Of An Age), Musician Amy Taylor (Amyl and the Sniffers), and Model Lily Nova.

Telstra also announced as the Official Major Sponsor of the SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival

Sydney, NSW – Tuesday, 5 September, 2023: The SXSW Sydney inaugural Screen Festival announced today 33 Shorts in four programs that will join the growing line-up of local and international screen content in a collision of creativity and culture at the week-long event in the Harbour city.

The four programs represent key festival themes and include:

Short Visions: Future Present Perfectly Wrong 

A mix of genres from hybrid documentary to creative animation, experimental work to psychedelic visual artistry. Through various subjects and filmmaking styles, this Shorts program re-evaluates the purpose and meaning of technology and how it shapes our future, for better or worse. 

Short Visions: Crazy Fun  

Filmmaking is taken to another level of creativity with this collection’s twists and turns. Free from boundaries and traditional storytelling expectations, it features films that are absurdly chaotic and hilariously bent. 

Short Visions: Tell Me A Story  

This program of story-first films covers intimate teenage relationships, a hybrid documentary about space objects and powerful queer animation. 

Short Nightmares 

Imagined from the other side of Midnight, this program moves between gruesome crime scenes, creepy thrillers, explosive secretions and a mysterious doll romance. This selection will keep your eyes wide open. 

Of the 33 films, 26 showcase the Asia-Pacific region, with 17 from Australia, 6 from First Nations creators and 5 directors identifying as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

An additional Bush Shorts program, curated by Pauline Clague, the founder of Winda Film Festival, will be announced in September.

This diverse showcase of short films form part of the first SXSW Sydney Screen Festival which aims to ignite the city through visual story and showcase the best screen talent of the APAC region.

From red carpet premieres, including The Royal Hotel and previously announced Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles, expect features, shorts, series, music videos and an XR showcase at the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, accessible with a SXSW Sydney Platinum or Screen, Games, Music and Tech badges, or Screen Festival wristband. The SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival offers a chance to catch unlimited screenings, including these short films, over six days and seven nights. 

The full Screen program will be announced later in September.

Discover your new favourite show, witness the breakout of the next generation of creators before anyone else and immerse yourself in groundbreaking XR experiences. Don't miss out on the Early Bird pricing of $240 for SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival wristbands, on sale now at SXSWSydney.com.

The 33 shorts premiering at SXSW Sydney’s Screen Festival include:

• Aikane (US), directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Dean Hamer, Daniel Sousa and Joe Wilson
• Architect A (South Korea), directed by Jonghoon Lee
• Bald Future (AU), directed by Reilly Archer-Whelan and Michael Whyntie
• Basri & Salma in a Never-Ending Comedy (Indonesia), directed by Khozy Rizal
• Clown (AU), directed by Aarushi Chowdhury
• Compound Eyes of Tropical 熱帶複眼 (Taiwan), directed by Zhan Zhang Xu
• Dark (Singapore), directed by Alistair Quak
• Development (AU), directed by Rebecca Metcalf
• Eating Late (AU), directed by Lewis Attey
• Eid Mubarak (Pakistan), directed by Mahnoor Euceph
• Epicenter (South Korea), directed by Hee-yoon Hahm
• Eyestring (US), directed by Javier Devitt
• F1ghting Looks Different 2 Me Now (US), directed by Fox Maxy
• False As A Beach (AU), directed by Stephanie Jane Day
• Fix Anything (Vietnam), directed by Lê Lâm Viên
• Fuck Me Richard (AU/US), directed by Lucy McKendrick
• Hyperconnect (AU), directed by Jim Muntisov
• I Have No Legs, and I Must Run (China), directed by Li Yue
• IMOAN (AU), directed by Catherine Kelleher
• Memorabilia (AU), directed by Ceridwen Dovey and Rowena Pott, voiced by Matilda Ridgway
• On Film (AU), directed by Emma Hough Hobbs
• Pairing (AU), directed by Matthew Burns
• Pasifika Drift (AU), directed by Alana Hicks
• Pixels of the Orient (Canada), directed by Warren Chan
• Record. Play. Stop. (India), directed by Neeraj Bhattacharjee
• Rival Dealer (AU), directed by John Angus Stewart, starring Amy Taylor of Amyl and the Sniffers
• Someday All This Will Be Yours (US), directed by and starring Cricket Arrison
• Sugarag (US/AU), directed by Jai Love LaPan
• Sweet Juices (AU), directed by Seion Im and Will Suen, starring Shirong Wu and Cat Văn-Davies
• The Krewd Party (AU), directed by Alice Taylor
• This Is Not Here (AU), directed by Charlotte Mungomery
• Tongue (Canada/Japan), directed by Yoshida Kaho
• We Used To Own Houses (AU), directed by David Robinson-Smith, starring Thom Green

Telstra as the Major Sponsor

Today, we are proud to announce that Telstra will join us as the Official Major Sponsor of SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival.

With a legacy rooted in fostering technological advancements and pushing boundaries, Telstra have shown an unwavering commitment to connecting Aussies with each other and the world. By bridging the gap between imagination and execution, Telstra emerges as the perfect partner for propelling the creative screen arts to new heights.

In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW®

Julia Garner and Jessica Henwick social thriller THE ROYAL HOTEL announced as the

Opening Night film of the inaugural SXSW Sydney® 2023 Screen Festival

Australian Writer and Director Kitty Green to attend Sydney Premiere of THE ROYAL HOTEL at Darling Harbour Theatre

Sydney, NSW – Thursday 24 August 2023: The highly anticipated thriller The Royal Hotel, directed by Kitty Green (The Assistant, Casting JonBenet), co-written by Green and Oscar Redding (Van Diemen's Land) and starring Julia Garner, Jessica Henwick, Hugo Weaving and Toby Wallace is SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival’s Opening Night film. Green will grace the Opening Night red carpet at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Sydney’s Darling Harbour Theatre on Sunday, 15 October 2023.

Searching for adventure and strapped for cash, US backpackers Hanna (Julia Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick) take jobs and accommodation at a remote outback pub, The Royal Hotel. Relentless heat, unglamorous booze in a box, and lack of wi-fi don’t paint the idyllic picture of an Aussie holiday the friends had envisioned, but the real threat grows increasingly intense and volatile as they become acquainted with the town’s primarily male residents.

The spectrum of menace is cast wide as they get to know the curt pub owner Billy (Hugo Weaving), playfully charming Matty (Toby Wallace) and frighteningly chilling Dolly (Daniel Henshall). Filmed in Australia, The Royal Hotel takes the familiar down under backpacker hair-raiser and flips it on its head, examining drinking culture, toxic masculinity and gender politics through a distinctively female lens.

“Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel is a deft reworking of the ‘Aussie outback thriller,’ reoriented with a female gaze and we could not be more thrilled to open the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival with Kitty in attendance. The film takes deliberate stabs at the more toxic shadows of the genre, and our culture, in sophisticated but ever entertaining ways. Kitty is a local luminary gaining international acclaim as a writer-director with a fearless vision for nuanced storytelling and this film is the perfect opener to the Screen Festival, which seeks to amplify and celebrate bold voices in film,” says Ghita Loebenstein, SXSW Sydney’s Head of Screen.

The Royal Hotel is produced by Emile Sherman and Iain Canning of See-Saw Films, the Academy and BAFTA Award winning team behind The Power of the Dog, Lion and The King’s Speech, together with Animal Kingdom and The King producer and See-Saw Films’ Head of Film and Television (Aus) Liz Watts, and Scarlett Pictures’ Kath Shelper. The Royal Hotel is a Transmission Films release.

The film joins the growing line-up with the first SXSW Sydney Screen Festival bringing an extensive collection of screen content, igniting the city through visual story and showcasing the best of the APAC region, connecting the global creative community to share an experience at the forefront of discovery, creativity and innovation.

From red carpet premieres, including The Royal Hotel and previously announced Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles, expect features, shorts, series, music videos and an XR showcase at the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, accessible with a SXSW Sydney Platinum or Screen, Games, Music and Tech badges, or a Screen Festival wristband. The SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival offers a chance to catch unlimited screenings over six days and seven nights.

Discover your new favourite show, witness the best films before anyone else and immerse yourself in groundbreaking XR experiences. Don't miss out on the Early Bird pricing of $240 for SXSW Sydney Screen Festival wristbands, which go on sale from Friday 25 August at https://sxswsydney.com/.

The Royal Hotel is a See-Saw Films production, with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the South Australian Film Corporation and additional support from Screen NSW.

In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW®

Key Information about the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival:

Wristbands: Secure your passage to the ultimate Screen experience with a SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival wristband that gives you access to all of the screen events around Sydney, including red carpet premieres at the ICC’s Darling Harbour Theatre and cinemas across the inner city and an XR showcase.

Wristbands Vs Badges: The difference between badges and wristbands? Platinum and Screen badges include, in addition to the Screen Festival access mentioned above, access to conference keynotes and panels, industry showcases, workshops, parties, launches, networking events, mentoring sessions and ‘Minimart’, a SXSW Sydney-flavoured Screen market for investors, buyers, producers, creatives and industry; a casual way to cut deals. Wristbands grant access to all the Screen Festival events. More info here.

First Nations Screen Festival: A special First Nations Screen Festival with programming by Pauline Clague, founder of Winda Film Festival, will form part of the SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival. Further programming to be announced. 

XR Showcase: Encompassing cutting edge technology, this is a celebration of VR, AR, Mixed Reality, SR, immersive experience and interactive AI all waiting to be experienced at the ICC.

Venues: The ICC’s Darling Harbour Theatre, Palace Cinemas Central and more to be announced.

Previously Announced:

The Seven Network has joined SXSW Sydney to host its 2024 Upfronts during the festival, including live crosses during the event, alongside Amazon Prime Video hosting an activation.

Recently announced slate of films screening at SXSW Sydney this October, aligning with the broader event’s themes of Music, Games and Tech & Innovation includes:

Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles (AU), the improbably story of The Wiggles

Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg (US), about Rolling Stones muse Anita Pallenberg

Cypher (US), a fictional pseudo- music documentary about the artist Tierra Whack

Gagaland (CN) A rags-to-riches, boy-meets-girl story, set against a viral Chinese dance craze flooding streets and social media feeds.

Jamojaya (US), Indonesian rap star Brian Imanuel (Rich Brian) stars as an up-and-coming musician.

Knit’s Island (FR) ‘DayZ’ is survivalist fiction in the form a videogame. Knit’s Island documents some of the 963 hours the directors spent in there in an at times unsettling blurring of the real and the virtual.

Plastic (JP), teenagers Juna and Ibuki set out to find the psychedelic rock band Exne Kedy.

The Last Year of Darkness (US/CN) Bass-heavy and neon-coloured portrait of alternative Chinese youth.

Tokyo Uber Blues (JP), an in-debt graduate Film Student turns to Uber driving to make ends meet. 

You’ll Never Find Me (AU) A lonely mobile home resident has an unexpected visitor on the night of a relentless thunderstorm.

SXSW Sydney Key Dates

15-22 Oct 2023: SXSW Sydney

15-21 Oct 2023: SXSW Sydney Screen Festival

15-21 Oct 2023: XR Showcase

16-19 Oct 2023: industry networking events and parties

16-21 Oct 2023: Conference

Pricing

Screen Wristband Early Bird Pricing: $240

Screen Badge Release 3 Pricing: $1,195

In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW®

Asia-Pacific Screen excellence highlighted at SXSW Sydney® 2023 Screen Festival

as public wristbands go on sale

World Premiere films revealed including HOT POTATO: THE STORY OF THE WIGGLES

Sydney, NSW - Monday 21 August 2023: Screen creatives of all stripes will gather for the inaugural SXSW Sydney® Screen Festival this October as a collection of compelling and next generation screen content from across the Asia-Pacific region is highlighted at the renowned festival.

The SXSW 2023 Sydney Screen festival will spotlight the best of the region, showcasing an extensive collection of screen content, bringing the global creative community to Sydney to deliver an experience at the forefront of discovery, creativity and innovation.

From red carpet premieres, including Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles, features, shots, series, music videos to an XR showcase, the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival has it all, accessible with a SXSW Sydney Screen Festival wristband.

The SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival wristband is your chance to catch unlimited screenings over six days and seven nights.

Discover your new favourite show, witness the best films before anyone else and immerse yourself in groundbreaking XR experiences. Don't miss out on the Early Bird pricing of just $240. Wristbands will be available for purchase starting Friday 25 August at SXSWSydney.com.

Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles

An Australian Amazon Original documentary, Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles will premiere as part of the line-up of the first ever SXSW Sydney Screen Festival. The global premiere will be supported by special appearances by The Wiggles, including Q&A sessions and performances. 

The film is the improbable story of The Wiggles, four friends who record a one-off album of children’s music in the early ‘90s and change the global music industry forever. Recognisable by their blue, red, yellow and purple skivvies, Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Greg Page and Jeff Fatt became an unlikely music phenomenon equipped with early childhood teaching fundamentals and a dose of self-belief. Surmounting numerous rejections from industry producers, The Wiggles took their career into their own hands and became the most successful children’s act of all time.  

Directed by Emmy® Award nominated director, Sally Aitken, Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles is a backstage pass to one of the world's greatest entertainment stories and features decades of personal archive and intimate access to their sell-out shows. It’s the story of a life of music, friendship, joy and the enduring power of the child in all of us. Produced by SAM Content, Augusto, and Frog Productions for Amazon Studios.

Accessible with a SXSW Sydney 2023 wristband, along with other red carpet premieres at the ICC’s Darling Theatre and cinemas across inner Sydney, the documentary will have its world premiere at the Screen Festival before it launches on Prime Video globally in more than 240 countries and territories. 

Key Information about the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival:

Wristbands: Secure your passage to the ultimate Screen experience with a SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival wristband that gives you access to all of the screen events around Sydney, including red carpet premieres at the ICC’s Darling Theatre and cinemas across the inner city and an XR showcase.

Wristbands Vs Badges: The difference between badges and wristbands? Platinum and Screen badges include, in addition to the Screen Festival access mentioned above, access to conference keynotes and panels, industry showcases, workshops, parties, launches, networking events, mentoring sessions and ‘Minimart’, a SXSW Sydney-flavoured Screen market for investors, buyers, producers, creatives and industry; a casual way to cut deals. Wristbands grant access to all the Screen Festival events. More info here.

First Nations Screen Festival: A special First Nations Screen Festival with programming by Pauline Clague, founder of Winda Film Festival, will form part of the SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival. Further programming to be announced. 

XR Showcase: Encompassing cutting edge technology, this is a celebration of VR, AR, Mixed Reality, SR, immersive experience and interactive AI all waiting to be experienced at the ICC.

Venues: The ICC’s Darling Theatre, Palace Cinemas Central and more to be announced.

Previously Announced:

The Seven Network has joined SXSW Sydney to host its 2024 Upfronts during the festival, including live crosses during the event, alongside Amazon Prime Video hosting an activation.

Recently announced slate of films screening at SXSW Sydney this October, aligning with the broader event’s themes of Music, Games and Tech & Innovation includes: 

Anita (US), about Rolling Stones Muse Anita Pallenberg

Cypher (US), a fictional pseudo- music documentary about the artist Tierra Whack

Gagaland (CN) A rags-to-riches, boy-meets-girl story, set against a viral Chinese dance craze flooding streets and social media feeds.

Jamojaya (US), Indonesian rap star Brian Imanuel (Rich Brian) stars as an up-and-coming musician.

Knit’s Island (FR) ‘DayZ’ is survivalist fiction in the form a videogame. Knit’s Island documents some of the 963 hours the directors spent in there in an at times unsettling blurring of the real and the virtual.

Plastic (JP), teenagers Juna and Ibuki set out to find the psychedelic rock band Exne Kedy.

The Last Year of Darkness (US/CN) Bass-heavy and neon-coloured portrait of alternative Chinese youth.

Tokyo Uber Blues (JP), an in-debt graduate Film Student turns to Uber driving to make ends meet.  

You’ll Never Find Me (AU) A lonely mobile home resident has an unexpected visitor on the night of a relentless thunderstorm.

SXSW Sydney Key Dates

15-22 Oct: SXSW Sydney

15-21 Oct: SXSW Sydney Screen Festival

15-21 Oct: XR Showcase

16-19 Oct: industry networking events and parties

16-21 Oct: Conference

Pricing

Screen Wristband Early Bird Pricing: $240

In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW®

Go backstage at Coachella

with CEO Paul Tollett.

Queer Eye your life

with fashion icon Tan France.

Build the next Slack

with Co-Founder Cal Henderson.

Finally figure out AI

with futurist Amy Webb.

Unmissable speakers coming to SXSW Sydney® this October, bringing you the insider knowledge you need to live your best future.

Coachella CEO Paul Tollett confirmed to head down under as one of four newly announced headline speakers at SXSW Sydney 2023, alongside Fab Five fashionista Tan France and Slack Co-Founder Cal Henderson, joining previously announced keynote, futurist and AI expert Amy Webb.

Sydney, NSW – Thursday 27 July: In its 37-year history Austin’s famed South by Southwest (SXSW®) has become the byword for cool and the launchpad for what’s next. The week-long ‘festival of festivals’ is a famed hotbed of creativity and innovation – Uber and Billie Eilish both emerged there and Everything Everywhere All At Once premiered.

It’s a city-wide music festival, futurist think tank, a showcase of the latest games, alongside film and TV world premieres, a next-gen technology expo and a line-up of world changing speakers.

SXSW in Austin, TX, is where the world’s best thinkers come together to trade ideas and party once a year.

Except that once a year is becoming TWICE, with the announcement last year that SXSW would add an additional annual event, bringing the creative platform to the Asia-Pacific, premiering this October in sunny Sydney, Australia.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham said: "South By Southwest (SXSW®) is known globally as a key incubator of bold and exciting ideas. A festival like this truly couldn't have come at a better time. The NSW Government is currently in conversation with the creative community to develop the state’s first arts, cultural and creative industries policy."

“The list of internationally renowned tech and creative industry leaders - visionaries in their fields - joining the inaugural SXSW Sydney program provides a fantastic opportunity to jump start the conversation on how we foster the development of these sectors in NSW."

The inaugural SXSW Sydney will comprise of 1000+ events, speakers and music acts, and has today revealed an unmissable line-up of headline speakers.

These speakers highlight the event’s foundational pillars: Music, with legendary festival CEO Paul Tollet; Tech, with visionary Slack Co-Founder Cal Henderson and Screen with beloved television star Tan France, as the true scope of the Australian event begins to unfold.

Over 700 world-leading speakers and industry leaders already announced including:

De-extinction entrepreneur Ben Lamm, Motion Picture Association CEO Charles Rivkin, advertising icon David Droga, Google Australia MD Mel Silva, Indonesian Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno, Netflix ANZ Director of Content Que Minh Luu, broadcaster Osher Günsberg, World Surfing Champion Layne Beachley, tech entrepreneur Paul Bassat, Reddit CMO Roxy Young, artistic director Wesley Enoch K-pop Chief A&R Officer at SM Entertainment, Chris Lee, Expedia CTO Rathi Murthy and many more.

More than 300 panels and sessions to keep you at the forefront, covering topics including:

Brain-computer interfaces, the future of lab-grown meat, ethical living with robots, AI fluency, Big Tech transparency, re-imagining news media, First Nations knowledge in design, how recruitment will become more like online dating, venture capital in 2050, when music videos meet AI, the future of love and more. 

Over 400 artist performances, including ones from 100 artists now announced:

Your new favourite artist is playing SXSW Sydney 2023. From USA’s Flyana Boss and almost monday, to Australian up-and-comers South Summit, Chanel Loren and Gut Health, UK’s SORRY, South Korea’s ADOY and Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA, NZ’s Daily J, MELODOWNZ and Molly Payton, Indonesia’s Isyana Sarasvati and Malaysia’s Lunadira.

Colin Daniels, Managing Director, SXSW Sydney says: “With just under three months to go, this is the first time we’ve been able to hint at the scope of the inaugural SXSW Sydney. Never before have this many entrepreneurs, artists, futurists, innovators and titans of every industry all been in Sydney at one time. As we pull together over 1,000 events and experiences, our team are still searching for a poster big enough to reveal it all.”

“After 19 visits to SXSW in Austin over the years, I can’t wait to see what we think of as ‘the United Nations of the creative industries’ here in Sydney,” added Daniels.

Brands participating include:

Accenture, Accor, International House Canada House, Defender and Seven join Super Sponsors CommBank and Qantas, Music Festival Major Sponsor Young Henrys, Education Partner UTS, Event Partners Dr. Martens, Handsome Tours, Laneway Festival, Prime Video, The Orchard and Vans, SXSW Sydney Pitch presenter VentureCrowd and Conference Track Sponsors CSIRO and Main Sequence, WPP, Culture Amp, Kingfisher and Remote.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR EVENT?

CHECK OUT OUR DETAILED EXPLAINERS BELOW… CLICK TO JUMP TO:

Tech & Innovation, Creative Industries (we’re looking at you AdLand), Music, Screen, Games, Session Select.

KEY INFORMATION: TECH & INNOVATION

Activity dates

- 15-19 Oct: industry networking events and parties

- 16-21 Oct: Conference

- 18-19 Oct: SXSW Sydney Pitch

 - 18-21 Oct: Tech & Innovation Expo, incl. Startup Village

Unmissable speakers and industry leaders, including

Adam Jacobs, Amy Webb, Andrew Pask, Ben Lamm, Bryony Cole, Cal Henderson, Dan Burgar, Dom Price, Genevieve Bell, George Peppou, Guy Kawasaki, Frances Haugen, Jack Reis, Jamila Gordon, Julie Inman Grant, Lenore Taylor, Mark Pesce, Noelle Russell, Paul and Andrew Bassat, Rathi Murthy, Rae Johnston, Robyn Denholm, Robyn Foyster, Roxy Young, Samantha Wong.

Panels and sessions to keep you at the forefront, covering topics including

AI fluency, Big Tech transparency, solutions to e-waste, female-led tech business, the future of lab-grown meat, ethical living with robots, using more First Nations knowledge in design, startup mythbusting, where NFTs are really at now, what venture capital might look like in 2050, the future of music tech, re-imagining news media, trademarking ideas in a rapidly changing world, the future of love and more.

SXSW Sydney Pitch

A money-can't-buy opportunity to pitch your startup to global innovators, including Judge (and Slack Co-Founder), Carl Henderson. Presented by VentureCrowd. Apply now.

KEY INFORMATION: CREATIVE INDUSTRIES (DESIGN, MARKETING, ADVERTISING, PR, etc)

Activity dates

- 16-21 Oct: industry networking events and parties

- 16-21 Oct: Conference

- 18-21 Oct: Tech & Innovation Expo, incl. XR showcases

Unmissable speakers and industry leaders, including

Adam Jacobs, Alex Tran, Alison Hurbert-Burns, Amy Webb, Annabelle Herd, Anika Molesworth, Riot Studios’ Andrei van Roon and Kjartan Arsaelsson, Ben Crowe, Ben Gillies, Brooke Boney, Bruna Papandrea, Bryony Cole, Cal Henderson, Chantelle Otten, Christian Juhl, Christian Wilkins, David Droga, Derrick Gee, Eunice Tan, Georgie Jeffreys, Guy Kawasaki, Heather Stern, Holly Rankin (aka Jack River) Jan Fran, Joff Bush (Bluey), Karen Appathurai Wiggins, Kirstin Ferguson, Kirsty Muddle, Kyas Hepworth, Layne Beachley, Larissa Behrendt, Leah Purcell, Lenore Taylor, Manal al-Sharif, Marina Go, Marc Fennell, Osher Günsberg, Que Minh Luu, Paul and Andrew Bassat, Pat Abboud, Paul Tollett, Rae Johnston, Robyn Denholm, Robyn Foyster, Rohit Bharagava, Ronald Akili, Ronni Kahn AO, Rose Herceg, Roxy Young, Russel Howcroft, Sam Koslowski, Minister Sandiaga Uno, Serwah Attafuah, Sheila Nguyen, Sung Eun Youn, Tan France, Thomas Kelly, Thomas Mayo, Tom Nash, Tom Verrilli, Wesley Enoch, Wil Anderson, Yiying Lu, Yoomin Yang, Zach Kitschke, Zara Seidler.

Panels and sessions to keep you at the forefront, covering topics including

AI fluency, Big Tech transparency, brain-computer interfaces, the future of lab-grown meat, ethical living with robots, startup mythbusting, where NFTs are really at now, the future of music tech, re-imagining news media, using more First Nations knowledge in design, the future of sports marketing, trademarking ideas in a rapidly changing world, what venture capital might look like in 2050, when music videos meet AI, the future of love and more.

Venues incl. brand partner takeovers

WPP taking over the Powerhouse Museum, where they’ll present the SXSW Sydney Marketing & Advertising conference track sessions.

KEY INFORMATION: MUSIC

Activity dates

- 16-21 Oct: Conference

- 18-21 Oct: SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival

 - 18-21 Oct: industry networking events and parties

Showcases and venue takeovers, presented by

APRA-AMCOS, BMI, Dr Martens, Handsome Tours, Laneway Festival, The Orchard, Vans, Virgin Music, Warner Music, YEG (Indonesia).

International Music Showcases including

British Music Embassy, Korea Spotlight Presented by KOCCA.

All supported by Music Festival sponsor, Young Henrys, who are putting 1 million SXSW Sydney Newtowner tinnies into market from this month!

Artists

Over 100 acts confirmed so far from over 2,500 applications, from NZ, UK, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Japan, Korea and Australia including:

From Australia: 1tbsp, Alex Mather, Alter Boy, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Ashli, Babitha, Baby Cool, BARKAA, bella amor, BESTIES, Big Words, Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys, Chanel Loren, Charley, Darlinghurst, Dean Brady, Death by Denim, DICE, dust, Dylan Atlantis, Elle Shimada, FRIDAY*, Girl and Girl, GO-JO, Grievous Bodily Calm, Gut Health, IJALE, Isaac Puerile, Kobie Dee, Mali Jo$e, Mia Wray, Mi-Kaisha, Mikayla Pasterfield, Milku, Miss Kaninna, Mitch Santiago, Nick Ward, PANIA, Phoebe Go, POOKIE, Rum Jungle, Shady Nasty, Skeleten, STUMPS, South Summit, SUPEREGO, Teenage Joans, Trophie, Tulliah, Ūla, Velvet Trip, Vv Pete, WILDFIRE MANWURRK

From New Zealand: 0800, 33 Below, ASHY, Daily J, Fazerdaze, Hanbee, Hans., JessB, Jujulipps, Mazbou Q, MELOWDOWNZ, Mim Jensen, Miss June, Molly Payton, Mousey, Paige, PARK RD, Proteins of Magic, RIIKI REID, Soaked Oats, There’s a Tuesday, WHOSHOTSCOTT

From South Korea: ADOY, Hypnosis Therapy, Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA

From Japan: Chameleon Lime Whoopiepie, Otoboke Beaver

From Indonesia: G.A.C., Grrrl Gang, Isyana Sarasvati

From Malaysia: Lunadira

From UK: Connie Constance, Los Bitchos, Nuha Ruby Ra, Sorry, SixSaidIt (also USA)

From USA: almost monday, Flyana Boss, redveil, Rett Smith, Wallice

From Canada: EKKSTACY, Hotel Mira

Buzz artists Flyana Boss (USA) and EKKSTACY (CAN) confirmed to play SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Music Festival Opening Party, presented by Accenture.

Unmissable speakers and industry leaders, including

Annabelle Herd, Ben Gillies (Silverchair), Brooke Boney, Chris Lee, Christian Wilkins, Corey ‘Nooky’ Webster, Derrick Gee, Holly Rankin (aka Jack River) Jan Fran, Marc Fennell, Mitch Tambo, Osher Günsberg, Paul Tollett, Per Sundin, Sean Miyashiro, Serwah Attafuah, Tan France, Wesley Enoch, Wil Anderson.

Panels and sessions to keep you at the forefront, covering topics including

New music trends across China, harnessing AI in songwriting, Big Tech transparency, brain-computer interfaces, the future of lab-grown meat, ethical living with robots, where NFTs are really at now, the future of music tech, the next generation of blak storytellers, when music videos meet AI, trademarking ideas in a rapidly changing world, the future of love and more.

KEY INFORMATION: SCREEN

Activity dates

- 15-21 Oct: SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival

 - 16-19 Oct: industry networking events and parties

- 16-21 Oct: Conference

- 18-21 Oct: Tech & Innovation Expo, incl. XR showcases

The SXSW Sydney Screen Festival offering

Film and TV Festival including red carpet premieres at the ICC’s Darling Theatre and cinemas across the inner city; an XR showcase, conference sessions, activations, parties and meet-ups, mentoring sessions and ‘Minimart’, a SXSW Sydney-flavoured Screen market for investors, buyers, producers, creatives and industry; a casual way to cut deals.

Get excited about

- Red carpet premieres, Features, Shorts, TV premieres, music videos and a competition.

- An XR showcase encompassing VR, AR, Mixed Reality, SR, immersive experiences and interactive AI.

- Free outdoor screenings and immersive experiences.

 - First Nations Screen Festival programming by Pauline Clague, in partnership with Winda Film Festival.

What makes SXSW Sydney’s Screen Festival unique:

With a spotlight on the Asia-Pacific region, but inclusive of all corners of the globe, the SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival brings together screen creatives to deliver an experience at the forefront of discovery, creativity and innovation.

SXSW Sydney will embrace the current democratisation of screen storytelling and moving-image creativity. Traditional screen venues and future-focused technology and platforms will converge, driven by a culturally rich, ideas-led curatorial vision.

Our aim is to platform, showcase and support the most exciting new voices, new forms and new ways of creating on Screen, as well as celebrate established creators who are challenging the form in the APAC region and beyond.

A first taste of films screening at SXSW Sydney this October, aligning with the broader event’s themes of Music, Games and Tech & Innovation:  

Anita (US), about Rolling Stones Muse Anita Pallenberg 

Cypher (US), a fictional pseudo- music documentary about the artist Tierra Whack 

Gagaland (CN) A rags-to-riches, boy-meets-girl story, set against a viral Chinese dance craze flooding streets and social media feeds. 

Jamojaya (US), Indonesian rap star Brian Imanuel (Rich Brian) stars as an up-and-coming musician. 

Plastic (JP), teenagers Juna and Ibuki set out to find the psychedelic rock band Exne Kedy. 

Knit’s Island (FR) ‘DayZ’ is survivalist fiction in the form a videogame. Knit’s Island documents some of the 963 hours the directors spent in there in an at times unsettling blurring of the real and the virtual. 

The Last Year of Darkness (US/CN) Bass-heavy and neon-coloured portrait of alternative Chinese youth. 

You’ll Never Find Me (AU) A lonely mobile home resident has an unexpected visitor on the night of a relentless thunderstorm. 

Tokyo Uber Blues (JP), an in-debt graduate Film Student turns to Uber driving to make ends meet. 

Unmissable speakers and industry leaders, including

Alana Hicks, Alison Hurbert-Burns, Amy Webb, Bec Smith, Brooke Boney, Bruna Papandrea, Charles Rivkin, Kyas Hepworth, Larissa Behrendt, Joff Bush (Bluey), Jub Clerc, Kodie Bedford, Leah Purcell, Lenore Taylor, Marc Fennell, Osher Günsberg, Paul Tollett, Que Minh Luu, Sung Eun Youn, Tan France, Yoomin Yang.

Panels and sessions to keep you at the forefront, covering topics including

The next generation of blak storytellers, when music videos meet AI, brain-computer interfaces, the future of lab-grown meat, ethical living with robots, where NFTs are really at now, trademarking ideas in a rapidly changing world, the future of love and more.

Brands participating in the Screen Festival include

Prime Video, Seven.

Venues for the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival include

The ICC’s Darling Theatre, Palace Cinemas Central.

KEY INFORMATION: GAMES

Activity dates

- 15-21 Oct: SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival

 - 16-19 Oct: industry networking events and parties

- 16-21 Oct: Conference

- 18-21 Oct: Tech & Innovation Expo, incl. XR showcases

Unmissable speakers and industry leaders, including

Amy Webb, Riot Studios’ Andrei van Roon and Kjartan Arsaelsson, Brent Koning, Hannah Kennedy, Michael Biercuk, Sam Barlow, Tom Verrilli.

Fortress Sydney will be the Games Festival’s anchor venue, hosting

Launches, parties, the Festival Stage, Awards Night and special programming e.g Midnighters

Games showcases

150 indie games from around the world. Submissions close 16 August, submit now, it’s free.

Showcasing games from countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.

Publishers and agencies to meet

Raw Fury, Kepler Interactive & Kowloon Nights, Team 17, Rocketride Games, Screen Australia, Screen QLD, VIC Screen, Invest South Australia.

Games Investment Meet

Matchmade investment sessions for investors (publishers, VCs, screen agencies) and developers.

Panels and sessions to keep you at the forefront, covering topics including

Death and dying in video games, brain-computer interfaces, ethical living with robots, game collecting in the National Archive, using more First Nations knowledge in design, the myth of the single user, trademarking ideas in a rapidly changing world and more.

Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) tickets sold out!

Only Platinum and Games Badges Holders will have access to the Intel Extreme Masters.

KEY INFORMATION: SXSW SYDNEY 2023 SPONSORS

New sponsors announced today

Event partners: Defender, Prime Video, Warner Music

Conference track sponsors: Accenture, Culture Amp, Kingfisher, Remote

Accommodation partner: Accor

Affiliate sponsor: Seven

International House: Canada House

Music Festival Opening Party Sponsor: Accenture

International Music Showcases: British Music Embassy, Korea Spotlight Presented by KOCCA

SXSW Sydney Pitch presenter: VentureCrowd

Joining current sponsors

Strategic sponsors: NSW Government, Destination NSW

Super sponsors: CommBank, Qantas

Major sponsor, Music Festival: Young Henrys

Education partner: UTS

Event partners: Dr Martens, Vans

Conference track sponsors: CSIRO and Main Sequence, WPP

KEY INFORMATION: SXSW SYDNEY 2023 SESSION SELECT

NEW SESSION SELECT SESSIONS, ANNOUNCED TODAY

Immersive audio - the future of entertainment

Hear from industry greats Marc Fennell, Chantelle Otten, Pat Abboud and Karen Appathurai Wiggins about crafting emotion-stirring narratives and educating listeners through the power of audio, moderated by Karen Appathurai Wiggins, VP & Head of Content, APAC, at Audible.

Hip-Hop: How A Generation Is Changing The World

When it comes to empowering minority groups, there's few musical forces out here doing it like hip-hop. The revolutionary cultural wave is sweeping our shores and there's no denying Australia has become a hotbed of global talent. The founder of We Are Warriors and host of triple j's Blak Out, Corey 'Nooky' Webster, is bringing together a panel of key figureheads, including Matthew Craig, Jannah Beth and Abraham Poni. Join them for a conversation on building community, boosting local voices and inspiring future generations.

Asian Creators Index: The Most Exciting Names You've Never Heard

Eunice Tan — Head of Strategy The Secret Little Agency, Anak and Mother Shanghai — is bringing together some of the best and brightest from a region where innovation meets ancient artistry. The panel will share their expertise on collaborating with Asia’s thriving creative community. Join them for a discussion on diversity, inclusivity and connecting with the diaspora of creators.

Question Everything LIVE

Noted truthers Jan Fran and Wil Anderson are bringing their popular ABC show Question Everything to the stage. A merry(ish) band of Aussie comedians will be on hand to help them give the audience a lesson in media literacy. This is a panel for anyone who has been lied to by the media or been tempted by the "information" sent through social feeds or the family WhatsApp. So, all of us.

Unleashing The Power of Storytelling to Ignite Indigenous Leadership

The traditional Western model of education is failing our young First Nations peoples. This session will explore how better career and educational outcomes can be achieved through stronger connection to culture, country and the arts — featuring the expertise of Wesley Enoch, Lillian Banks, Thomas E.S. Kelly and Kim Walker. Hear the stories of three impressive future leaders and how NAISDA (Australia’s National training institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) takes a radically different approach, by putting Indigenous culture at the core.

The Science of Sync: Music in Advertising

Music can bring joy, move people to tears and it can also sell you something. So, what's the science behind a good sync? Join this panel of ad execs and recording artists — including ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd, Russel Howcroft, and Holly Rankin (Jack River) — in a Gruen-style discussion. From selling products to launching careers, we'll uncover the impact of well-chosen music and explore how it resonates with audiences on a deeper level, and how the importance of music in ads has even led to a new ARIA Award for Best Use of Australian Music in Advertising.

Yarning Strong - Songlines: The Intersection of Music, Creativity and Culture

Music, spirituality, and creativity have been essential in guiding and supporting First Nations people, strengthening their ties to land, kin, and culture. Integrating these elements into the contemporary Australian music landscape has posed challenges. Join Mitch Tambo for an insightful panel with two accomplished First Nations music industry leaders, discussing their career experiences, lessons learned, and future plans. Gain unique insight into how they built their music careers, their lived experiences, celebrating triumphs, and overcoming challenges and barriers.

What's Next in Gaming Innovation?

Brent Koning, EVP, Global Gaming, will be delving deep into the latest trends and developments, sharing which new technology will transform the way we play. For this unique behind-the-scenes look into the gaming industry, attendees will get actionable insights to stay ahead of the incoming curve. Whether you're a developer, publisher, operator, or just a gaming enthusiast, this is a room you need to be in.

The New Playbook for Building Iconic Brands

The award-winning Icons in the Making podcast is coming to Sydney, courtesy of the pioneering creative consultancy, Lippincott. From Canva, the design startup that’s changing the way we create; to Uber, the ride-hailing giant that revolutionized the way we travel; to Telstra, the heritage brand connecting Australia for over a century — join today’s leading marketers for a dynamic discussion. Hear Heather Stern, Zach Kitschke and Brent Smart talk about what it takes to build and grow an iconic brand.

Notes to Editor

SXSW SYDNEY WEBSITE | LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

DESTINATION NSW WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |  TWITTER | TIK TOK

TEG WEBSITE | LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

About SXSW® 

SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2024 will take place March 8-16 in Austin.