Who knows what you want to see at SXSW better than you? Now's your chance to have a say during SXSW PanelPicker® Community Voting. The polls are still open but not for long! Voting closes on Sunday, August 20 at 11:59pm PT.

All session proposals received during the PanelPicker entry period are eligible for your vote to help shape the 2024 Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.

How to Vote

Ready, set, vote! To participate in the voting process from August 8-20, visit panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote and sign in or create an account.

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

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

Cast Your Votes

Inside the PanelPicker Process

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

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

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

Promote Your Idea

During Community Voting, it’s important for anyone who submitted a proposal to rally online support for your idea and encourage voting.

For more information about the Community Voting process, read the PanelPicker FAQ and visit the SXSW PanelPicker page.

Get your votes in before the final deadline on August 20 at 11:59pm PT.

Go To PanelPicker

See You in 2024

Join us for the 2024 SXSW Conference & Festivals in Austin, TX from March 8-16. Register to attend early and book your hotel through SXSW Housing & Travel for the best Austin rates and locations.

Stay tuned for more event updates and programming announcements throughout the season.

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

Photo (top): Futuring Food Systems: A Seat at the Chef's Table – SXSW 2023 – Photo by Chelcie Parry
Teaser photo: Periods on Tiktok: Using Content to Crush Stigmas – SXSW 2023 – Photo by Keira Lindgren

The post SXSW PanelPicker® Community Voting Closes August 20 appeared first on SXSW.

Field trip! Learning goes beyond the classroom at SXSW and positions you in front of potential future employers, mentors, and creative collaborators.

SXSW is offering students a special registration rate for the 2024 SXSW Conference & Festivals from March 8-16 in Austin, TX. If you are currently enrolled as a college undergraduate, postgraduate, or in high school grades 9-12, read on!

Find inspiration in powerful presentations by diverse visionaries at the Conference. Featuring a variety of programming tracks and session formats, the Conference explores what’s next in the worlds of film, culture, music, and technology.

Lay the groundwork for your career with expert advice and one-on-one coaching by professionals at Mentor Sessions. Connect with other students and the larger creative community moving the conversation forward across a wide range of industries, interests, and groups during Meet Ups and other networking opportunities throughout the event.

Discover what's next – from buzz-worthy film and tv screenings and tech startup competitions to future-focused exhibitors and global emerging artists. Whether you're looking to find what career is right for you or to connect with creatives from around the world, SXSW programming is aimed at fostering creative and professional growth.

Check out our event timeline for a daily snapshot of programming. In the Fall, stay tuned for the SXSW Schedule.

Explore the latest announcements, programming highlights, and event updates on the SXSW News feed. Stay tuned for more big announcements throughout the season including RSVPs for Mentor Sessions, Workshops, and more professional development opportunities.

Currently enrolled students may apply today to join us March 10-19, 2023 at a special rate. Check our the current student rates for Interactive, Film & TV, and Music Badges, while supplies last.

Complete the SXSW Student Discount Application form and attach a valid copy of your official transcript from your registrar's office. After we receive and verify proof of enrollment, you will be sent an email with a registration coupon. When you are registering, please note the Company Name that is printed on the badge will be the school you are affiliated with.

Don't miss the opportunity to join us from March 8-16, 2024 at an exclusive student rate!

Apply Now

More Ways to Attend

Bringing a group of 10 or more? Learn more about our Group Registration deals. If you haven’t decided who will be attending yet, you can still purchase registrations using placeholder names.

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

Photo by Tico Mendoza

The post Exclusive SXSW Badge Discount for Enrolled Students appeared first on SXSW.

Join us for SXSW 2024 from March 8-16 in Austin, TX to experience Conference sessions, Film & TV Festival screenings, Music Festival showcases, world-class Exhibitions, tech competitions, Awards ceremonies, and much more. Plus, vast networking and learning opportunities, inspiring programming, a wonderland of tacos, and more unexpected discoveries. Register and book your hotel today for the best savings of the season!

Badge Access

The Platinum Badge is your key to everything SXSW has to offer with primary access to all events.

Each of the other SXSW Badges – Interactive, Film & TV, and Music – grant you primary access to the respective Conference tracks and events of your badge type as well as entry into Exhibitions and Comedy Showcases.

You'll also have secondary access to other tracks and events outside of your badge type for the opportunity to experience programming and connect with creatives across the many industries that SX serves. All registrants receive access to SXSW's online programming.

Check out the SXSW Timeline for a snapshot of daily programming from March 8-16 including Conference tracks, Festivals, and Exhibitions. Stay tuned for programming announcements throughout the season including the launch of the SXSW Schedule in Fall 2023.

New for 2024, you can buy now and pay later with PayPal. Just use the PayPal option when checking out in the SXSW Cart.

Exclusive Savings

Bringing a team of 10 or more? Explore our exclusive group rates. Connect your team with the latest professional development tools and new collaborators amid endless networking opportunities at SXSW.

Learning goes beyond the classroom at SXSW with student badge discounts. Currently enrolled students – college undergraduate, postgraduate, or high school grades 9-12 – may apply for this special offer while supplies last.

Book Your Hotel

After you're registered, book your Austin stay! SXSW hotel rooms and rates are available exclusively to registered attendees through SXSW Housing & Travel. Explore the Hotel Availability page to see all available hotels from a wide selection of downtown Austin options at the lowest rates.

The post SXSW 2024 Registration and Housing Now Open appeared first on SXSW.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PanelPicker Community Voting

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

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

Music Festival

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

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

Music Festival Deadlines:

• Early Entry Deadline: Friday, August 25

• Final Deadline: Friday October 27

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT.

Apply Now

Film & TV Festival

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

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

Film & TV Festival Deadlines:

• First Deadline: Tuesday, August 29

• Second Deadline: Tuesday, September 19

• Final Deadline: Tuesday, October 3

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT.

Apply Now

SXSW Pitch

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

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

SXSW Pitch Deadlines:

• Early Entry Deadline: Sunday, September 10

• Final Deadline: Sunday, November 12

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT.

Apply Now

Innovation Awards

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

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

Innovation Awards Deadlines:

• Early Entry Deadline: Sunday, September 10

• Final Deadline: Sunday, November 12

All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT.

Apply Now

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

Save the Date

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

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

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

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

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

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

PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform developed to encourage the community to pitch their proposals for our Conference programming for SXSW 2024 from March 8-16. This easy, two-step process allows the SXSW community to have a voice in what creative and thought-provoking programming is selected. Visit panelpicker.sxsw.com to login or create a new profile and then begin your proposal. All ideas received will be posted online for Community Voting..

Review the resources and tips below to get started on your PanelPicker proposal and enter by July 23, 2023 at 11:59pm PT.

Tips for PanelPicker Success

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

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

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

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

• Diversity matters. All panels (3-4 person sessions) must include diversity in gender, race, location and employment of speakers, and diversity in thought and opinion.

• Include a video with your proposal. Your speaking abilities matter and we’d like to see them. No fancy production required – recording from your webcam or phone works just fine.

• Proofread, proofread, proofread. Did we mention proofread? Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are extremely important. Once you have completed your draft idea and clicked “Enter My Proposal,” you will NOT be able to edit your idea. Be sure you have reviewed your proposal carefully.

• Meet the deadline. The final deadline to enter your application is Sunday, July 23 at 11:59pm PT.

Enter Your Idea

Mark your calendars – registration and housing for SXSW 2024 open on August 1, 2023.

The post Speak at SXSW 2024: PanelPicker® Applications Open Through July 23 appeared first on SXSW.

Reddit's Chief Operating Officer Jen Wong explores the evolving expectations of digital interactions, the demand for more meaningful online experiences, the growing influence of online communities, and the opportunities this presents for brands.

Presenting this year's Design in Tech Report, Vice President of Design & AI at Microsoft, John Maeda, takes us on a captivating journey into the realm of artificial intelligence and sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of design.

Trend curator and author Rohit Bhargava helps us get ready for the future by identifying and exploring non-obvious trends that anticipate what's going to become the new normal.

Simran Jeet Singh, Executive Director of the Religion & Society Program at the Aspen Institute and acclaimed author of a national bestseller, provides profound insights into discovering hope amidst despair by sharing personal experiences and principles of Sikh philosophy.

Explore more sessions from the SXSW Conference archive as we honor AAPI creatives from the worlds of tech, film, music, government, healthcare, and beyond.

The post Celebrating AAPI Creatives at SXSW appeared first on SXSW.

SXSW is heading southwest – about 8,464 miles in fact – to Sydney, Australia. From October 15-22, 2023, get ready to discover more unexpected ideas and diverse discussions at SXSW Sydney. This new expansion of our event family is specifically dedicated to innovation and creativity in the Asia-Pacific region with a series of conferences, festivals, an expo, and networking events.

Earlier this year, SXSW Sydney announced their initial program with Conference speakers, Music Festival acts, a Games Festival component, and participation opportunities. Today, SXSW Sydney unveiled their first Session Select submissions, a new Conference Featured Speaker Chris Lee aka Lee Sung-Soo, and lineup of local artists for the Music Festival portion.

Similar to SXSW's PanelPicker® intake process for community-sourced session ideas, SXSW Sydney’s inaugural Session Select program is made up of local and global talent, exploring and reshaping the very near and distant futures, answering tomorrow’s issues today. Newly-announced sessions include It’s 2050 and The Robots are Among Us; Thriving in the Future (of Work); Our Moonshots to Net Zero by 2030; Rage with The Machine: Harnessing AI creativity in Music and Songwriting; and many more. Explore the first round of SXSW Sydney Session Select proposals.

“We’ve received an unbelievable number of incredible sessions shortlisting them down to 300 for the conference is proving tough but what a great problem to have. The sessions presented today are just a taste of some of the incredible conversations at SXSW Sydney that will shape our future,” said Colin Daniels, SXSW Sydney Managing Director.

Sydney Session Select Announcement

Appearing as part of the event’s Music Industry Conference track, Chris Lee aka Lee Sung-soo is a South Korean music production director and CEO of SM Entertainment USA. As an A&R executive, Lee is credited with popularizing many K-pop stars, including Girls’ Generation, Shinee, Exo, Red Velvet, and more. Lee joins an already stellar lineup of SXSW Sydney Conference speakers.

The SXSW Sydney Music Festival also announced local artists including a dance project from Maxwell Byrne, 1tbsp; alt-pop collective Alter Boy; R&B and pop from western Sydney via New Jersey’s Ashli; Brisbane-born singer and songwriter Dean Brady; Perth alt-rock artist DICE; Darumbal Murri and Tongan vocalist Mi-Kaisha; alt-pop acoustic wonder Phoebe Go; punk-pop Adelaide two-piece Teenage Joans; London’s Nuha Ruby Ra; and more. Dr. Martens Presents and House of Vans will also join the Music Festival footprint in Sydney with respective performance hubs.

Want to take the Sydney stage? SXSW Sydney Music Festival applications are open through May 14 to musicians across the globe.

Also running through May 14, SXSW Sydney Screen Festival applications are open to all filmmakers and screen creatives.

Explore all confirmed programming at sxswsydney.com. Stay tuned for more announcements for SXSW Sydney 2023 throughout the year.

Join Us at SXSW Sydney 2023

Don't miss this special inaugural event from October 15-22, 2023 in Sydney, Australia! A SXSW Sydney badge provides access to the week-long conference, expo, festivals, and networking sessions, with each badge type granting varying levels of access. Platinum and Industry badges provide core access to more than 1,000 ground-breaking events and networking sessions with some of the world’s leading thinkers, performers, and industry professionals.

Learn more about SXSW Sydney and buy your badge today at sxswsydney.com.

SXSW Sydney is a collaboration with TEG, The NSW Government & Destination NSW, and will be the official annual Asia Pacific installment of SXSW.

Explore SXSW Sydney

The post SXSW Sydney 2023 Announces First Round of Session Select Proposals & More appeared first on SXSW.

We want to give a Texas-sized THANK YOU to all of the registrants, staff, crew, volunteers, artists, speakers, filmmakers, innovators, disrupters, dreamers, two Captain Kirks, one Baba Yaga, and our wonderful Austin community.

SXSW 2023 was one for the books! For 10 days in Austin, global creatives stepped into different worlds across tech, film, and music to discover new inspiration, create cross-industry connections, and imagine what could be for our shared future.

The Conference highlighted some of the most inspired thinkers and industry leaders across 25 tracks and SXSW community-curated sessions. At the crux of each day’s programming were powerful presentations by Keynotes including actor and best-selling author Priyanka Chopra Jonas; humanitarian, culinary innovator, and founder of World Central Kitchen José Andrés; Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert; Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton; pioneering Manchester band New Order; multi-hyphenate Hollywood icon and award-winning actor William Shatner; and Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Margo Price. Plus, a Keynote from NASA where they revealed a never-before-seen image from space via the James Webb Space Telescope.

Among the Featured Speakers were OpenAI Co-founder Greg Brockman; co-creators of Blindspotting Rafael Casal and Daveed Digg; the Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff; comedian Chelsea Handler; Academy Award-nominated actor and producer Robert Downey Jr.; human rights activist Martin Luther King III; renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel; and many more.

The Film & TV Festival rolled out the red carpet with provocative dramas, documentaries, TV pilots, shorts, and genre standouts. World Premieres included Opening Night film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, directed and co-written by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, as well as Janine Nabers and Donald Glover's Swarm as the Opening Night TV Premiere. Plus, Lee Cronin's Evil Dead Rise; Jake Johnson's Self Reliance; Adele Lim's Joy Ride; Eva Longoria's Flamin' Hot; Emma Seligman's Bottoms; David E. Kelley's Love & Death; Julio Torres' Problemista; and a special screening of John Wick: Chapter 4; to name only a smattering of the high-caliber films and television that hit the SX screens. After nine days, the grand finale featured Lee Sung Jin’s Beef as the Closing Night TV Premiere and the surprise debut of Ben Affleck's AIR as the Closing Night Film.

At the Film & TV Awards, we celebrated the collaboration between filmmakers and designers honoring the winners of the 2023 Jury and Special Awards including Narrative Feature Raging Grace directed by Paris Zarcilla; Documentary Feature Angel Applicant directed by Ken August Meyer; TV Pilot Grown directed by Jocko Sims; and more. Plus, audience votes were counted from screenings all week long to reveal the 2023 Audience Awards Winners.

Our hearts were extra full following the Academy Awards on Sunday where the 2022 SXSW Opening Night Film, Everything Everywhere All At Once won seven Oscar Awards, including Best Picture. (Cue a round of hotdog fingers applause.)

Taking the stage at the Music Festival, we turned up the sound with new, developing, and established Showcasing Artists across all genres from local to international acts. This year's audible feast included Manchester legends New Order; Japanese punks Otoboke Beaver; Swiss Latin instrumentalists Hermanos Gutiérrez; South Korean rapper Beenzino; Colombia’s Paraísos; singer-songwriter from Derry, Northern Ireland SOAK; French-Korean singer/songwriter spill tab; NYC rock trio Sunflower Bean; pop sibling duo The Lemon Twigs; and hundreds more. We rocked out to Presenter-curated showcases from Atomic Music Group, Billboard, British Music Embassy, Don Giovanni Records, Fire Records, FOCUS Wales, Gorilla vs Bear, Jazz re:freshed Outernational, Pop Montreal, M for Montreal, Music From Ireland, New West Records, Rolling Stone, and beyond.

The Music Festival wrapped up with the announcement of the 2023 Grulke Prize winners – Developing U.S. Act: Blondshell; Developing Non-U.S. Act: Balming Tiger; and Career Act: The Zombies.

The Comedy Festival brought us a week full of laughs as we celebrated the next wave of groundbreaking comedic talent and applauded established greats. From stand-up and sketch to improv and podcast recordings, participants included Eric André, Anthony Atamanuik, Todd Barry, Matt Besser, Katherine Blanford, Abbi Jacobson, Sam Jay, Bob Odenkirk, Patton Oswalt, Nick Thune, Reggie Watts, and (you guessed it) more.

Hundreds of exhibitors from around the world gave us a glimpse of the future with cutting-edge technology at the SXSW Creative Industries Exhibition as well as numerous other world-class Exhibitions. We also celebrated the winners of the many prestigious Awards categories including SXSW Pitch, Innovation Awards, and the Community Service Awards.

SXSW 2023 was filled with ample opportunity to explore, learn, discover, cut a rug, and leave inspired. We hope you enjoyed each exciting moment IRL, URL, and even in XR. Take a look back at 10 days of SXSW magic through our Photo Galleries.

Now begins the preparation for 2024 (after a marathon of sleep and some tacos to refuel). We look forward to seeing you again March 8-16, 2024 in Austin, TX for the 2024 SXSW Conference & Festivals.

Applications for SXSW 2024 participation opportunities open later this summer beginning with SXSW PanelPicker®. Stay tuned for more event updates and 2024 registration information throughout the year.

On behalf of all of us at SXSW, thanks for joining us for another groundbreaking event. We can't wait to see you next year!

Watch SXSW On Demand

Rewind SXSW 2023 and relive exciting events over and over on our YouTube channel. Get cozy in your SXSW Merch and dive into Daily Highlights, exclusive interviews from the SXSW Studio, and more Conference clips from SXSW 2023.

Stay tuned to SXSW News for more full-length videos and continued event recaps from speakers, red carpet premieres, and performances.

Subscribe to SXSW Event Updates and explore SXSW News to stay up to date on all things SX. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Paramount Marquee for SXSW 2024 – Photo by Tico Mendoza

The post See You Next Year: SXSW 2024 Dates Announced appeared first on SXSW.

You watched the films, you ate all the popcorn (judgement-free zone here), you watched some more, and then you voted on your favorites from March 10-18. Now presenting the Audience Awards winners for the 2023 SXSW Film & TV Festival!

Over the course of nine days the 2023 Film & TV program includes 110 features including 75 World Premieres, 3 International Premieres, 9 North American Premieres, 6 U.S. Premieres, 16 Texas Premieres + 63 Short films, 20 Music Videos, 12 TV Premieres, 3 TV Spotlight, 7 Independent TV Pilots, and 35 XR Experience projects.

Films in the SXSW 2023 lineup screened in the following categories: Headliners; Narrative Feature Competition presented by Panavision; Documentary Feature Competition presented by ACE91; Narrative Spotlight; Documentary Spotlight; Visions; Midnighters; Global presented by MUBI; 24 Beats Per Second; and Festival Favorites. The Episodic program consisted of TV Premieres, TV Spotlight and the Independent TV Pilot Competition. The SXSW 2023 Shorts Film Program presented by IMDbPro featured six competitive sections: Narrative Shorts; Documentary Shorts; Animated Shorts; Midnight Shorts; Texas Shorts; and Music Videos. Our XR Experience Competition, Spotlight and Special Events programming were held in-person with a selection of works held virtually. All categories were eligible for section-specific Audience Awards.

The Audience Awards follow the previously-announced 2023 Jury and Special Awards. Audience Award Winners were certified by Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP.

Cheers to all the incredible Film & TV projects that screened at SXSW 2023. Many thanks to our amazing SX audience for watching and voting – see y'all next year!

2023 Audience Award Winners

HEADLINERS

Audience Award Winner: Flamin’ Hot
Director: Eva Longoria, Producer: DeVon Franklin, Screenwriters: Linda Yvette Chávez, Lewis Colick

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION presented by Panavision

Audience Award Winner: Mustache
Director/Screenwriter: Imran J. Khan, Producers: Christina Won, Jessica Sittig, Christopher Storer, Tyson Bidner

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION presented by ACE91

Audience Award Winner: Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a Life
Director/Producer: Dan Covert, Screenwriters: Erik Auli, Dan Covert, Amy Dempsey, Tara Rose Stromberg

NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT

Audience Award Winner: The Long Game
Director: Julio Quintana, Producers: Javier Chapa, Ben Howard, Marla Quintana, Dennis Quaid, Laura Quaid, Screenwriters: Julio Quintana, Jennifer C. Stetson, Paco Farias

DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT

Audience Award Winner: The Herricanes
Director: Olivia Kuan, Producers: James Lee Hernandez, Brian Lazarte, Lisa France, James Short, Olivia Kuan, Justin Baldoni, Andrew Calof

VISIONS

Audience Award Winner: Tobacco Barns
Director/Screenwriter: Rocío Mesa, Producers: Olmo Figueredo González-Quevedo, Jana Díaz-Juhl, Pau Brunet, Belén Sánchez

MIDNIGHTERS

Audience Award Winner: It Lives Inside
Director: Bishal Dutta, Producers: Raymond Mansfield, Sean McKittrick, Screenwriters: Bishal Dutta, Ashish Mehta

GLOBAL presented by MUBI

Audience Award Winner: Ek Jagah Apni
Directors: Ektara Collective, Producers: Ektara Collective, Lotus Visual Productions, Screenwriters: Rinchin, Maheen Mirza

24 BEATS PER SECOND

Audience Award Winner: Louder Than You Think
Director: Jed I. Rosenberg, Producers: Jeffrey Lewis Clark, Brian Thalken, Kelly Thomas, Screenwriters: Jed I. Rosenberg, Greg King

FESTIVAL FAVORITES

Audience Award Winner: No Ordinary Campaign
Director: Christopher Burke, Producer: Tim Rummel, Christopher Burke

Shorts Film Program presented by IMDbPro

NARRATIVE SHORTS COMPETITION

Audience Award Winner: Closing Dynasty
Director/Screenwriter: Lloyd Lee Choi, Producers: Jon Hsu, Lloyd Lee Choi

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS COMPETITION

Audience Award Winner: Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó (Grandma & Grandma)
Director: Sean Wang, Producers: Sean Wang, Sam Davis

ANIMATED SHORTS COMPETITION

Audience Award Winner: Sandwich Cat
Director/Screenwriter: David Fidalgo, Producers: Daniel Rodriguez, Laura Doval, Gonzalo E. Veloso

MIDNIGHT SHORTS COMPETITION

Audience Award Winner: Dead Enders
Directors: Fidel Ruiz-Healy, Tyler Walker, Screenwriters: Fidel Ruiz-Healy, Tyler Walker, Jordan Michael Blake, Conor Murphy, Producers: Raven Jensen, Amanda Crown, Gregory Barnes, Conor Murphy, Nico Alvo, Jordan Michael Blake, Eduardo Ruiz-Healy

TEXAS SHORTS COMPETITION

Audience Award Winner: Breaking Silence
Directors: Amy Bench, Annie Silverstein, Producers: Monique Walton, Amy Bench

MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION

Audience Award Winner: Drew Ashby - 'HER'
Directors: Chris Scholar, Bevin Brown, Producer: Bevin Brown

TV Program

TV PREMIERES

Audience Award Winner: The Luckiest Guy in the World
Director: Steve James, Producers: Zak Piper, Steve James

TV SPOTLIGHT

Audience Award Winner: Blindspotting Season 2 Premiere
Showrunner: Rafael Casal, Directors: Rafael Casel, Jess Wu Calder, Producers: Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs, Jess Wu Calder, Keith Calder, Emily Gerson Saines, Ken Lee, Tim Palen

INDEPENDENT TV PILOT COMPETITION

Audience Award Winner: Notarize Me
Director: Erika Rankin, Screenwriters/Producers: Erika Rankin, Brigitte Valdez

XR Experience

XR EXPERIENCE COMPETITION

Audience Award Winner: JFK Memento
Director: Chloé Rochereuil, Producer: Victor Agulhon

XR EXPERIENCE SPOTLIGHT

Audience Award Winner: MLK: Now is the Time
Director: Limbert Fabian, Producers: Matthew O’Rourke, Sulivan Parker, Screenwriter: Andrina Wekontash Smith

XR EXPERIENCE SPECIAL EVENTS

Audience Award Winners (three-way tie):

Neo-Wulin: The Era of Black Ark
Director/Screenwriter: Guanyu, Producers: Chenchenchen, Bingbing Wang

Ristband
Directors: Anne McKinnon, Roman Rappak

Soundwaves: A Metaverse Music Concert
Directors: YOOM, Active Theory

View All 2023 Film & TV Awards Winners

Watch SXSW On Demand

Watch Conference Keynotes and select Featured Sessions on our official YouTube. Go beyond sessions, showcases, and screenings during exclusive interviews at the SXSW Studio with Host Wajahat Ali.

Select SXSW 2023 event content is available to registrants on the SXSW Online Schedule and SXSW TV app. Learn more about SXSW Online access. Explore the full list of available on demand content and stay tuned for more event recaps.

See You Next Year

Calling all SX early birds – buy next year’s badge at this year’s lowest rate and get early access to hotels this summer! Now through Friday, March 31, purchase a 2024 SXSW Badge at the lowest 2023 rate.

Teaser Photos:"Flamin' Hot" World Premiere by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for SXSW; "Flamin' Hot" World Premiere Red Carpet by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

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Dolby Laboratories, a leader in immersive entertainment experiences, and Macklemore, the multi-diamond certified, GRAMMY®-winning hip-hop artist, are teaming up to showcase the future of music through a surprise performance in Dolby Atmos, one-night only at SXSW 2023. This will be Macklemore’s first live concert in Dolby Atmos and will take place at ACL Live at the Moody Theater on Friday, March 17.

“One of the best parts of releasing a new album is getting to perform it live, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to do my first ever performance in Dolby Atmos,” said Ben Haggerty, (Macklemore). “I can’t wait to be back at SXSW to share this moment with my fans and the City of Austin.”

“We are excited to bring the Dolby Atmos live music experience to SXSW with a performance by Macklemore,” said Todd Pendleton, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby Atmos is the future of music and on Friday, fans will be able to experience Macklemore’s hits and new songs like they have never heard before”.

During his performance, Macklemore will take guests on an immersive journey in Dolby Atmos, performing fan favorites and songs off his new album, BEN. The new studio album is his third and features a powerful line up of singles including “MANIAC” (feat. Windser), “NO BAD DAYS” (feat. Collett), and “HEROES” (feat. DJ Premier), which fans can also stream in Dolby Atmos (where available).

The concert at ACL Live at the Moody Theater will be open to all SXSW Badges – Music, Platinum, Film & TV, and Interactive – as well as Music and Artist Wristbands. Those without a SXSW credential may attend for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is not guaranteed. SXSW Badge and Wristband Holders receive priority admission. 

For those unable to secure tickets, Dolby is celebrating the end of SXSW by hosting a creator and industry event from 9:30pm – 12:00am, Friday, March 17 at Dolby House. The free event is open to SXSW guests and Austin locals, and it will feature free food, drinks, and live DJs. This is a 21+ event and a RSVP is required for entry. RSVP here.

Free to the public and SXSW attendees, Dolby House – which is Dolby’s first SXSW experiential take over – features a variety of installations highlighting Dolby innovations across music, movies and streaming, gaming, sports, and podcasts. The space will host 20+ panels, events, and industry + creator meet-ups throughout the week and free food and drinks daily, including food truck appearances from Waffle Love – a local Austin favorite. Guests will also have a chance to experience one of Dolby’s latest innovations, Dolby Atmos for cars, in a top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class sedan and get a “first listen” of Era 300, Sonos’ newest Dolby Atmos-enabled smart speaker, which was announced last week.

Dolby House is located at Brazos Hall, 204 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78701 and is open daily from 9:00am – 9:00pm CT starting Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 19.

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Howdy and welcome to the 2023 SXSW Conference & Festivals, y'all!

This year marks another epic reunion of global creatives, dreamers, innovators, and storytellers from the world's of tech, film, music, and beyond. We've got a suite of attendee resources to help you on your SX way this March 10-19.

Deep in the heart of SXSW, the 2023 event is packed with Conference sessions, Film & TV Festival screenings, early morning tacos, Music Festival showcases, world-class Exhibitions, late night tacos, tech competitions, Awards ceremonies, vast networking and learning opportunities, and much more.

Ready, Set, SXSW

Pick up your badge at Registration located in the Austin Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 1. Before you go, make sure you have your government-issued ID and check registration hours here.

Open throughout the event, the Registrant Lounge (99 Trinity St.) is a convenient and relaxing meeting point for SXSW attendees. Stop by each day for one of our several SX networking events and a complimentary drink from our sponsors.

There's still time to join us! Visit the SXSW Cart or purchase in-person. Can't attend IRL? The SXSW Online Pass grants you complete URL access to our digital event experience with 100+ Conference Keynotes, Featured Sessions, and more.

Explore our quick attendee guide below including event access, navigation, and ways to connect to SXSW. For a complete list of event tools and tips for the adventure ahead, visit the Attendee Services Hub.

Programming Snapshot

SXSW Conference programming includes daily Keynote presentations and Featured Speakers sessions. Plus, hundreds of sessions spotlighting industry leaders across our 25 Tracks and various Formats.

Rolling out the red carpet, the Film & TV Festival spans March 10-18. Explore the entire 2023 Film Lineup across all screening categories including Headliners, Narrative Feature Competition, Documentary Feature Competition, Global, TV Premieres, Shorts, Midnighters, XR Experience Competition, and more.

From March 12-14, journey into fantastical virtual worlds and experience a wide array of XR Experience programming during SXSW 2023.

Discover industry disruptors, creative innovators, technological masterpieces and more at the SXSW Creative Industries Expo from March 12-15, 9am-4pm.

Featuring a variety of new, developing, and established Showcasing Artists, the Music Festival brings together artists and industry professionals from around the globe. Catch live performances across downtown Austin from March 13-18.

Explore the SXSW Schedule for all announced programming including Comedy Festival showcases, Exhibitions, Awards, Creative Industries Expo, lounges and parties, networking and beyond.

SXSW Schedule

Watch SXSW Live

Watch the daily live stream on our official YouTube channel including Keynotes and Featured Sessions during the SXSW Conference. Go beyond sessions, showcases, and screenings during exclusive interviews at the SXSW Studio with Host Wajahat Ali.

Live Schedule

SXSW Online

Open to all registrants, SXSW Online is your key to experiencing Conference Keynotes and Featured Sessions, as well as select Film & TV Festival Red Carpets and studio interviews from your hotel room or on the go. Download Official Mobile & TV Apps to begin. Learn more about SXSW Online access.

SXSW Online

Event Navigation

Download SXSW GO to get event recommendations, view maps, network with other attendees, and build your schedule. The more Favorites the merrier – it's always good to have a backup plan.

Event Status makes it easy for you to check the current status of a room or a venue’s remaining capacity. A Green-Yellow-Red system appears on the SXSW GO app, the SXSW Schedule, and on the digital Event Status Boards located around the Austin Convention Center and other venues.

Secure your spot at must-see SXSW events and jump to the front of the line with SXXpress (South by Express) Passes. Learn more about the digital pass that's open to all SXSW Badges.

Take note of Event Access information including special venue bag requirements for Film & TV and the Music Festival.

Browse our transportation services to make getting around Austin to your next session, meet up, film, or showcase easy. The SXSW Shuttle is a free circulating shuttle that runs between the Austin Convention Center and most SXSW festival venues.

Attendee Services Hub

Wear Comfy Shoes

Experienced registrants know that SXSW is a marathon, not a sprint. Plan to walk a lot, be weather ready, stay hydrated, and expect the unexpected discoveries that make SXSW unique!

Catch the free SXSW Shuttles which run from 9:00am – 2:30am.

The Family Room is open: 9:00am – 6:00pm in Room 1 at the ACC for parents and families needing a place to care for children, change diapers, or have a quiet space to get away.

Tip: Read more attendee tips here. #tips

SXSW Closing Barbecue and Softball Tournament

The annual SXSW Closing Barbecue and Softball Tournament is the traditional closing social event of SXSW. On Sunday, March 19 from 12-4pm, wrap up your SXSW with a friendly game and some delicious bites! This event is free to all SXSW Platinum and Music Badges. The general public are welcome to attend and BBQ tickets are available for purchase. Learn more about access, player registration (deadline March 17 at 5pm), and more attendee information.

Follow Along

Stay in the SX know! Follow us for daily event updates and exclusive coverage from March 10-19 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Have a great SXSW 2023, y'all!

2024 Pre-Sale

Hey early birds – buy next year’s badge at this year’s lowest rate and get early access to hotels this summer! Now through Friday, March 31, purchase a 2024 SXSW Badge at the lowest 2023 rate.

Teasers: Photo by Shannon Johnston; Photo by Nick Piacente; and Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for SXSW

The post 2023 SXSW Conference & Festivals Event Guide appeared first on SXSW.

Announcing the 2023 Jury and Special Award winners of the 30th SXSW Film & TV Festival!

The Awards follow the 2022 Opening Night Film Everything Everywhere All At Once winning seven Oscar Awards on Sunday, including Best Picture. Feature films receiving Jury Awards were selected from the Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature Competition categories. SXSW also announced all other juried sections, including Shorts, Design and XR Experience Awards. Special Awards announced included: Louis Black “Lone Star” Award, Adobe Editing Award, Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award, Hope Award, Thunderbird Rising Award, ZEISS Cinematography Award, and new this year in honor of Janet Pierson, Director Emeritus, the Janet Pierson Champion Award.

All 2023 film categories will be eligible for category-specific Audience Awards that will be certified by the accounting firm of Maxwell Locke & Ritter. Audience Award Voting will conclude on Sunday, March 19. Winners will be announced via sxsw.com that week.

"What an extraordinary week of film and TV premieres here at SXSW, and there is more to come through Saturday. Our theaters have been brimming with enthusiastic audiences celebrating the exceptional and diverse work in our lineup, and we’re so excited to celebrate this year’s jury and special award winners! Our hearts are also bursting with joy for DANIELS who first brought their work to SXSW 11 years ago and won our Music Video Competition. It’s indescribable that we were also able to celebrate last year’s Opening Night Film Everything Everywhere All at Once and their seven Academy Awards. We know that another SXSW filmmaker in the Paramount Theater tonight will go on to fulfill their own creative dreams and achieve success beyond what they can imagine now!” – Claudette Godfrey, VP, Film & TV

The 2023 Film & TV program includes 110 features including 75 World Premieres, 3 International Premieres, 9 North American Premieres, 6 U.S. Premieres, 16 Texas Premieres + 63 Short films, 20 Music Videos, 12 TV Premieres, 3 TV Spotlight, 7 Independent TV Pilots, and 35 XR Experience projects.

Explore our list of this year's esteemed Jurors and Film & TV Awards winners below. Stay tuned for more from the 2023 Film & TV Festival throughout the week with the Closing Night Film, AIR on Saturday, March 18.

Thank you to our jurors and congratulations to all of the winners!

2023 SXSW Film & TV Festival Awards

Feature Film Grand Jury Awards

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION Presented by Panavision

Winner: Raging Grace

Director/Screenwriter: Paris Zarcilla, Producer: Chi Thai

“Raging Grace's heady blend of horror, history, and midnight humor announces the arrival of an exciting new filmmaking talent in writer-director Paris Zarcilla. The story of a Filipina house cleaner and her young daughter confronting Britain's racial and class divides, Raging Grace is both frank and elusive, a film that subverts expectations on its way to a stirring conclusion. In cleverly employing genre tropes to explore vast socio-political matters, Zarcilla has crafted a resonant, urgent work about labor, legacy, and diaspora.”

Special Jury Award for Performance: Courtney Eaton

“Courtney Eaton's fearless portrayal of Riley, a young woman struggling to manage her addictions, ensured that Parachute succeeded as a nuanced take on what holds us back and what lets us fly. The actress is at points hopeful and devastated, quiet and vicious, delivering a remarkable performance.”

Special Jury Award for Cinematography: Eric Branco, Story Ave

“Through an exacting lens both intimate and powerful, DP Eric Branco helps define the vibrant visual language of Story Ave, honoring a slice of New York City with the warmth and specificity that it deserves. His richly layered, studiously cinematic compositions and fluency with the streets of NYC both deepen and enrich the viewing experience. We are thrilled to award Eric Branco with a SXSW Special Jury Recognition for Cinematography.”

A big thanks to our Narrative Feature Competition presenting sponsor Panavision, the global provider of optics, cameras, and end-to-end services that power the creative vision of filmmakers. We would also like to thank our supporting sponsor Variety. Variety is the number one entertainment business news brand with over 32MM uniques per month. Featuring award-winning breaking news reporting, insightful award-season coverage, must-read feature spotlights and intelligent analysis of the industry’s most prominent players, Variety is the trusted source for the business of global entertainment.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION Presented by ACE91

Winner: Angel Applicant

Director/Screenwriter: Ken August Meyer, Producers: Ken A. Meyer, Jason Roark

“Written, directed, edited, and narrated by Kenneth August Meyer, Angel Applicant is a revelation. It is a film that lives dual lives: a gripping, autobiographical story about illness and an incisive work of art history. Angel Applicant illustrates both Meyer's and artist Paul Klee's experiences with scleroderma in intimate, thoughtful, highly considered detail—engrossingly so for a viewer unfamiliar with either the creators or the disease. The result is a yearslong undertaking that is stunning, powerful, and unforgettable.”

Special Jury Award for Innovation in Storytelling: Another Body

Directors: Sophie Compton, Reuben Hamlyn, Producers: Elizabeth Woodward, Sophie Compton, Reuben Hamlyn, Screenwriters: Sophie Compton, Reuben Hamlyn, Isabel Freeman

“Another Body is a powerful film that is timely, unsettling, and innovative in its storytelling. The use of deep fake technology is on the rise, and directors Sophie Compton and Reuben Hamlyn cleverly and thoughtfully employ it — by deep faking the subjects of the film to protect their identities — to simultaneously convey what it’s capable of as well as its dangers. This creative and powerful technique underscores the film’s message, and will leave you feeling shock and awe.”

Thank you to our category sponsor, ACE91, a content and media company committed to creating films that inspire audiences to engage in positive change. And thank you to our jury award sponsor, The Hollywood Reporter, entertainment’s #1 news source that champions Hollywood’s world-class and world-changing documentaries and filmmakers through journalism.

SHORT FILM GRAND JURY AWARDS
Presented by IMDbPro

NARRATIVE SHORT COMPETITION

Winner: It Turns Blue

Director/Screenwriter: Shadi Karamroudi, Producers: Shadi Karamroudi, Mehran Noori, Mina Dreki, Theodora Valentis

“For its impeccable performances, its provocative complexity, and its deeply moving story, the jury recognizes It Turns Blue as the Jury Award winner. This film's impact was both immediately forceful and relentlessly lasting. By not shying away from the complexities of human life and its darkest reaches, this film is both challenging, transportative, and effective.”

Special Jury Award: Flores del Otro Patio 

Director: Jorge Cadena, Screenwriters: Jorge Cadena, Li Aparicio Candama, Producers: Yan Decoppet, Gabriela Bussmann

“For its radical vision, its amplification of an activist story through its visual language, and for its rich and tender performances, the jury recognizes Flores del Otro Patio as the Special Jury Award winner. This bold and distinctive approach to nonlinear narrative, queer intimacy, and indigenous power is an emotionally resonant and politically salient achievement.”

DOCUMENTARY SHORT COMPETITION

Winner: Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó (Grandma & Grandma)

Director: Sean Wang, Producers: Sean Wang, Sam Davis

“Through Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó (Grandma & Grandma), director Sean Wang has captured the intimacy, history, and warmth of two youthful spirits. It’s sort of a respite from the World’s madness. And much like one of those delicious and familiar home-cooked meals, this film fills you up, and makes your soul smile. It’s a call-your-Grandma kind of film!”

Special Jury Award: Suddenly TV

Director/Producer: Roopa Gogineni

“Roopa Gogineni’s Suddenly TV took us into the heart of Sudan’s youth-led movement where creativity finds a way to flourish as a form of resistance. Gogineni’s embedded filmmaking offers an intimate perspective on the relationship between power and storytelling and what happens when the people start to tell their own story.”

MIDNIGHT SHORTS

Winner: The Flute

Director: Nick Roney, Screenwriters: Nick Roney, Ed Leer, Producers: Brendan Garrett, Ryland Burns

“A perfect midnight blend of humor, horror and gross-out special effects, The Flute serenaded us with an orchestra of male toxicity and reminded us how not cool it is to keep naked pictures of your ex. Nick Roney’s playful camera work, razor-sharp aesthetic and mastery of tone leave us in rapt anticipation of what sights he has to show us next.”

Special Jury Award: Pennies from Heaven

Director: Sandy Honig, Screenwriters: Sandy Honig, Annabel Meschke, Sabina Meschke, Producer: Jake Honig

“Their joyful commitment to their roles as the defiantly stupid sisters Cher and Jacobson-Schmidt kept us glued to the screen. As co-writers of the film (along with director Sandy Honig), they treated us to a uniquely demented world we hope will be expanded into a twinematic universe.”

ANIMATED SHORTS

Winner:The Debutante

Director/Screenwriter: Elizabeth Hobbs, Producer: Abigail Addison

“In a unique and unapologetic blast of mixed media animation, this bold, bizarre fairy tale is at once hilarious and casually brutal. It affects deeply with a gestural approach to image and sound, and the layered artistry begs for multiple viewings.”

Special Jury Award for Animation Directing: Tom CJ Brown, Christopher at Sea. This film plays like an artfully executed diary entry. In dreamy and dark ways, it beautifully depicts longing in an unexpected setting for romance. It's intensely intimate, masterfully designed cinema.”

MUSIC VIDEOS 

Winner: Amanda Sum - 'Different Than Before'

Director/Screenwriter: Mayumi Yoshida

“We were particularly moved by this story of an Asian father’s journey to action when faced with racist hecklers in front of his family. The video creates a brilliant stop Asian hate narrative that accomplishes the near impossible feat of evoking not just tears, but laughter – all in just a few minutes. It’s a rare music video imbued with the power to make viewers smile and weep while learning about racism in America.”

Special Jury Award:  Residente - 'This is Not America ft. Ibeyi'

Director: Grégory Ohrel

“Our special jury winner is a striking, visceral and timely representation of the struggles people face in Latin America today. It’s a piece worthy of attention from US audiences, as well as Latin. We also felt it incorporates some of the most symbolically rich – and creative – shots we’ve seen recently in music videos.”

TEXAS SHORTS 

Winner: Breaking Silence

Directors: Amy Bench, Annie Silverstein, Producers: Monique Walton, Amy Bench

“Centered around the relationship between a formerly incarcerated daughter and her deaf father, Breaking Silence is a beautiful snapshot and thought provoking documentary that provides a glimpse into a story we don’t often see. Through this duo’s experience facing the lack of services available to the deaf incarcerated community, the father begins a journey of creating new pathways for advocacy. This intimate and personal look at a father’s desire to bring about positive change sheds light on the many challenges the deaf and incarcerated face.”

Special Jury Award: When You Left Me On That Boulevard 

Director/Screenwriter: Kayla Abuda Galang, Producers: Alifya Ali, Kayla Abuda Galang, David Oconer, Udoy Rahim, Samantha Skinner

“Hilarious, whimsical, and fantastical, Kayla Abuda Galang’s When You Left Me On That Boulevard offers a new take on a coming of age story centered around a community we rarely get to see on screen. Much like a home video, the audience is invited for a chaotic but intimate look at what goes on behind the scenes of a seemingly typical family gathering. The performances stood out as authentic and rooted in genuine familial interrelationships.”

A big thanks to IMDbPro, the essential resource for entertainment industry professionals, for being the presenting sponsor of short films across six competitive sections. The membership-based IMDbPro service empowers entertainment professionals with information and tools designed to help them achieve success throughout their career and is a service of IMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for information on movies, TV shows and celebrities.

TV PILOT COMPETITION

Winner: Grown

Showrunner/Director/Screenwriter: Jocko Sims, Producers: Jocko Sims, Christopher Santiago, Chaz Hazlitt, Andrew Zolot

“The jury honors Grown, a coming-of-age story told with heart and visually realized with polish and verve. Focused on a teenage boy attempting to move forward after losing his father, Grown features an ensemble cast of actors authentically inhabiting their roles, an elegant directing style, and a capacity to surprise in ways that are believable even when they blindside the audience. While Grown’s protagonist Rogelio may still be trying to figure out exactly who he is, this pilot has a self-assured, firm sense of identity from minute one.”

Special Jury Award for Outstanding Performance: Josh Fadem, Harbor Island

“This surreal immersion into life on a barely inhabited island simply would not work if Josh Fadem hadn’t delivered such an anchored, memorable performance. As a comedian who spends his days and nights speaking stand-up into a tape recorder, Fadem brings a sense of humanity to this wonderfully odd setting, as well as a flair for selling both Steven Wright-esque non-sequiturs and bad dad jokes. Harbour Island conceptually grabs your attention. Fadem keeps you watching.”

POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION

Winner: Eyestring

Designer: Javier Devitt

“The mashed up image and the title for context strikes curiosity and begs the viewer to see Eyestring. The use of negative space made this poster stand out from a mile away. It also had the ability to evoke such strong emotions and an emotional response from the viewer from its graphic composition to the powerful photo. It was the most visually striking poster.”

Special Jury Award: Riders on the Storm

Designer: Casey Moore

Directors: Jason Motlagh, Mark Oltmanns

“Riders on the Storm" was another really great and well-designed poster. We were attracted to the bright green and red contrast of the poster design. The color palette for this poster was striking and very powerful.” 

XR EXPERIENCE COMPETITION

Winner: Consensus Gentium

Director/Screenwriter: Karen Palmer, Producers: Tom Millen, Thalia Mavros, Jackson Lapsley Scott, Tuyet Huynh

The XR Experience Jury award goes to an experience that shows how technologies meant for connection can also be used to disconnect and divide. Ultimately, the choice to accept or fight it is ours – and it's just a tap away.

Special Jury Award: Body of Mine

Director/Producer/Screenwriter: Cameron Kostopoulos

Our jury special award goes to a beautifully crafted virtual reality experience that shows how VR can provide a safe space for understanding, reflection, and connection when a safe space in the real world is hard to find.

SXSW Special Awards

Janet Pierson Champion Award presented by Indiewire

To honor Janet Pierson, Director Emeritus of the SXSW Film & TV Festival after 15 years of leadership, a prize was created in 2023 called the Janet Pierson Champion Award. As part of IndieWire’s dedication to elevating Film & TV creators, IndieWire is proud to present the Janet Pierson Champion Award rewarding innovation and excellence in the art of storytelling to TBD.

Janet Pierson Champion Award

Winner: Lizzie Shapiro

Lizzie Shapiro is a producer based in Brooklyn, NY. She most recently produced Story Ave and Parachute in the 2023 SXSW Film & TV Festival. Previous credits include then feature films Shiva Baby (SXSW, TIFF) and Mickey and the Bear (SXSW, Cannes) that both premiered to critical acclaim and were distributed by Utopia Films. She has also produced several short films that have premiered at film festivals worldwide. Lizzie has participated in the Film Independent Producer’s Lab and IFP Week: No Borders. She is a founding member of the film collective Thick Media.

Louis Black "Lone Star" Award

To honor SXSW co-founder/director Louis Black, a jury prize was created in 2011 called the Louis Black “Lone Star” Award, presented to a feature film world premiering at SXSW that was shot primarily in Texas or directed by a current resident of Texas. (Opt-in Award)

Louis Black “Lone Star” Award 

Winner: The Lady Bird Diaries

Director: Dawn Porter, Producers: Kim Reynolds, Dawn Porter

“The Lady Bird Diaries celebrates an iconic Texan and exalts her Texanhood. Dawn Porter uses only archival treasures to craft a film of visual magnetism and narrative momentum — a real feat. And yet, her film is no hagiography. Through Porter’s savvy direction, viewers are encouraged to sit with the fascinating contradictions of Lady Bird’s politics, passions and place in time. Documentary examinations of the Johnson era are thick on the ground, but the first lady’s intimate confessions open up a rare bloom.”

Special Jury Award: The Herricanes

Director: Olivia Kuan, Producers: James Lee Hernandez, Brian Lazarte, Lisa France, James Short, Olivia Kuan, Justin Baldoni, Andrew Calof

“The Herricanes tackles a range of topics with passion, heart and verve, much like its subjects, who were members of the Houston team that was part of the first all female football tackle league in the US in the 1970s.”

Thunderbird Rising Award presented by Thunderbird Pictures

Born from a fusion of LA’s leading-edge artistry and Austin’s independent spirit, Thunderbird Pictures is a full-service Production and Distribution company committed to supporting the filmmaker's vision from concept through creative marketing and transparent profit participation. The Thunderbird Rising Award is presented to new directors whose original storytelling both inspires and delights.

Thunderbird Rising Award Winner: Paris Zarcilla, Raging Grace

“Thunderbird Pictures celebrates a first-time feature director who demonstrated a level of excellence in all aspects of cinematic storytelling. This juxtaposition of thrilling suspense and evocative social commentary on the modern immigrant struggle was both unique and profound. The Thunderbird Rising Award Goes To Director Paris Zarcilla for his film Raging Grace.”

Thunderbird Rising Special Award: Brittany Snow, Parachute 

Thunderbird Pictures acknowledges a first-time feature director and stellar ensemble cast for their brave exploration of a pressing modern issue. This lucid look at the heartbreak of body dysmorphia and its destructive impact on intimacy and connection was poignant and essential. The Thunderbird Rising Special Award Goes To Director Brittany Snow for her film Parachute.

The Hope Award presented by ACE91

ACE91 is honored to sponsor the Documentary Feature Competition category and the Hope Award. We celebrate these extraordinary films and the talented, compassionate, and diverse filmmakers who made them. Together we amplify the impact of their storytelling. The 2023 Hope Award is presented to a feature documentary that has inspired us to act for the betterment of our communities and the world.

The Hope Award Winner: Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie

Director: Davis Guggenheim, Producers: Davis Guggenheim, Annetta Marion, Jonathan King, Will Cohen

“This very intimate exploration of a beloved artist and his incredible journey from young struggling actor to movie star and then to essential leader of a movement to cure Parkinson’s Disease, gave us tremendous hope that there can be a cure for the disease, if not in this lifetime, then in the lifetime of Michael’s children. While the documentary took us deeply into Michael’s life story and exposed his inner thinking, Director Davis Guggenheim made us feel we were with Michael on the journey, not voyeurs watching him. The film was wonderfully crafted through exceptional editing and a creative and unique use of Michael’s body of narrative work. It was hugely inspirational, providing hope against all odds, and reminding us that no matter what hand we are dealt, we each have a part to play in the world. In the face of great success and then in the face of his own mortality, Michael’s perseverance, and incredible bravery, along with the support of his loving family, all deftly shared in the film, was moving and profound.”

The Hope Special Award: Confessions of a Good Samaritan

Director: Penny Lane, Producer: Gabriel Sedgwick

“Director and protagonist Penny Lane’s brave personal exploration of her experience as she donates a kidney to an anonymous person, is an incredibly raw and powerful portrayal of a rarely talked about but vital subject matter. From the initial decision to donate, to the emotional and physical ups and downs of her experience as she realizes her naïveté, to the successful outcome of her operation and donation, Penny’s openness in front of and behind-the-camera, and the style of her filmmaking gave us a powerful window into the various stages of her process and thinking. We went along with her for the ride and at the same time came away with an excellent and important awareness of the history of organ transplantation and the vital need to address this growing challenge. The film helps us realize that ordinary citizens can make a transformative life and death difference in other people’s lives. It was a powerful eye opener to the possibilities of live donor organ transplantation and how it can save lives.”

Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award

In honor of a filmmaker whose work strives to be wholly its own, without regard for norms or desire to conform. The Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award is presented to a filmmaker from our Visions screening category.

Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award

Presented to: Chronicles of a Wandering Saint

Director/Screenwriter: Tomas Gomez Bustillo, Producers: Gewan Brown, Amanda Freedman

ZEISS Cinematography Award

ZEISS Cine Lenses is honored to be returning this year to support the SXSW film community in the Cinematography category. We believe that by supporting the art within the frame, ZEISS helps filmmakers realize their creative vision. 

ZEISS Cinematography Award

Winner: Fancy Dance

Cinematographer: Carolina Costa, AMC

“We are honored to present this year's ZEISS Cinematography Award to Carolina Costa, AMC for her breathtaking work on Fancy Dance. The film creates an intense tone throughout as we are plunged into the gripping narrative of a young woman fighting to celebrate her culture while searching for a mother who may be lost to her forever. Carolina Costa, as Director of Photography for this film, masterfully creates a visual landscape for this emotional story to unfold with beautiful, naturalistic lighting and artful composition. Fancy Dance is a supreme example of cinematography that compliments and elevates the storytelling of a film.

SXSW is proud to be an official qualifying festival for the Academy Awards® Short Film competition. Winners of our Best Animated, Best Narrative and Best Documentary Short Film categories become eligible for Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards (Oscars). Any British Short Film or British Short Animation that screens at SXSW is eligible for BAFTA nomination. Films are also eligible for the Independent Spirit Awards, more information on eligibility here.

A special thank you to our incredible partners for the 2023 SXSW Film Awards: ACE91, IMDbPro, MUBI, Panavision, Adobe, Thunderbird Pictures, ZEISS Cine Lenses, Oscilloscope, and Final Draft.

Film & TV Awards

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