SXSWeek 2009: March 13-22
Interactive: March 13-17
Film: March 13-21
Music: March 18-22
Interactive: March 13-17
Film: March 13-21
Music: March 18-22
Welcome to South by Southwest 2009
Introducing our Festivals and Conferences...
The SXSW MUSIC AND MEDIA CONFERENCE features a legendary festival showcasing more than 1,800 musical acts of all genres from around the globe on over eighty stages in downtown Austin. By day, the Austin Convention Center comes alive with conference registrants doing business in the Trade Show and partaking of a full agenda of informative, provocative panel discussions featuring hundreds of speakers of international stature. In its 23rd year, SXSW remains an essential event on the music industry calendar.
The SXSW FILM CONFERENCE AND FESTIVAL explores all aspects of the art and business of independent filmmaking. The Conference hosts a five-day adventure in the latest filmmaking trends and new technology, featuring distinguished speakers and mentors. The internationally-acclaimed, nine-day Festival boasts some of the most wideranging programming of any US event of its kind, from provocative documentaries to subversive Hollywood comedies, with a special focus on emerging talents.
The SXSW INTERACTIVE FESTIVAL celebrates the creativity and passion behind the coolest new media technologies. In addition to panel sessions that cover everything from web design to bootstrapping to social networks, attendees make new business connections at the three-day Trade Show & Exhibition. The newest element of the event is ScreenBurn at SXSW, which adds specific gaming industry programming as well as a three-day Arcade to the mix.
SXSW News »
9 More Reasons to Attend SXSW Music 2009
SXSW Music is pleased to announce the following artists for the 2009 Festival. From ukuleles to violins and guitars to turntables, SXSW Music Festival has it covered. Expect to see showcase and speaker announcements regularly over the next few months.
And a Special Thanks Goes to our Co-Sponsors...
Every year, SXSW is lucky enough to have a network of Alternative News Weeklies from across the U.S. and Canada that help us in our grass roots approach to really connecting with those communities that our Co-Sponsors serve. With the help of over 40 regional alt weeklies, SXSW is able to stand by its commitment to regional, independent and emerging talent. So a big thanks is in order for our Co-Sponsors, who support SXSW in being the best stepping stone it can be for all of the brilliant indie talent out there waiting to be discovered. Find out more about these fine publications and which of them serve you and your area with news, culture, entertainment, local happenings and so much more.
Mobile Mania: More SXSW Interactive Panel Content Announced
Check out the panel page to see the most current lineup of programming content for SXSW 2009. Additions to the mix on November 19 include several sessions related to wireless issues, including "Sketching the Mobile User Experience" and "Location-Based Wireless Social Networking". In addition to these new panels, we have also added some new titles to the core conversation page. Is this the final lineup? Not yet. More 2009 programming announced shortly after Thanksgiving!
Another One Rides the Bus
You asked, we listened! This year the SXSW Film Festival is introducing a complimentary shuttle bus service for Film, Gold & Platinum registrants. This shuttle will provide transportation to outlying film venues from Friday, March 13-Tuesday, March 17 until 2 a.m. each day. If you're interested in having your brand seen by thousands, SXSW registrants and non-festival attendees, with this high-profile sponsorship or other sponsorship opportunities, please contact Hiliary Kerby. Don't miss the bus!
SXSW Spotlight - Indaba Music
After meeting some of the Indaba folks at CMJ in 2007, we convinced them to join us for SXSW 2008. And surprise! They had a great time and we happy to announce that they will be back again for '09. So make sure to visit them in the Music Trade Show or say 'hi' if see them on the streets. They promise they will be walking around in Indaba T-shirts. Wow, these guys are so on top of it, they already have their outfits planned...
1) Briefly, what is Indaba?
Indaba Music is a social network for musicians and a web application that enables artists to make music online with people all over the world. Using Indaba, musicians can combine, mix, and edit tracks recorded in different places, whether it's for hire, for experimentation, or just for fun.
2) Any new and exciting developments folks should know about?
We just launched an exciting program with K-OS, an incredibly innovative artist managed by Nettwerk Music Group in Canada. K-OS is releasing two new albums in the spring, each created from the same component audio stems, but one that he recorded and mixed and one that he crowd-sourced through contests on Indaba. If you visit Indaba Music, you can enter all 11 K-OS contests, download all the stems to mix yourself (or use our in-browser mixing console), and compete not only for $11,000 but for 11 spots on the actual album, which is being distributed by Universal. This is a huge opportunity for artists all over the world to get noticed and get tremendous exposure as part of a major label release.
3) This being your sophomore year to participate at SXSW, any advice for rookie exhibitors and participants?
We've learned so much: Try to go to Music AND Interactive. The more sharing techies and artists can do the better it will be for everyone! Also, say hi to everyone. People are here to meet people they don't know, so don't be afraid to introduce yourself to anyone and everyone.
4) Who was your favorite band or artist that you during SXSW 08?
Well, across all Indabans I think the most exciting show was N*E*R*D. There were only a few hundred people, they went on around 2:30/3:00am, and were incredible. They aren't exactly a "new to us" or "independent" band, though, which is what we really love to explore at SXSW, so some indie highlights include: Black Moth Super Rainbow, Deer Tick, and Crystal Castles.
5) When you aren't busy changing the way people go about making and sharing music, what are you most likely doing?
Playing with our newest team member Bayo, he's a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy, and we named him after a Nigerian Indaba member who took part in the first international collaboration on the site soon after it launched. Aside from that we see a lot of shows in NYC, play music together and fight over who controls the office music.
Long-Time Registrant Wins Hotel Giveaway
Hats off to Ken Weinstein, President of Big Hassle Media in New York, the lucky winner of five free nights of lodging during SXSW.
Ken is no stranger to our town—he's been a regular at SXSW Music since 1993. Congrats, Ken!
SXSW 101: SXSW Game Design Competition
Running a little late, the instructor rushes into the classroom to find the students already there and huddled together at the back of the room.
"I know I'm late, but that's no reason to mutiny."
One student pokes her head above the group. "Oh hi! You gotta see this. I got this great idea for a video game!"
"Oh? Well you know what you should do with it, don't you?"
"No, what?"
"Enter it into the ScreenBurn at SXSW Game Design Competition. It provides a great opportunity for emerging designers like yourself to pitch their concept to a jury of established professionals. It's new for 2009. All you need to enter is a description of your game concept that excites the imagination. Descriptions must be 200 words or less, and should demonstrate tight organization. The semi-finalists announced in mid January will then construct a PowerPoint presentation that graphically illustrates their concept. From those, finalists will be chosen to present at the event, with a grand prize awarded in each category. You can do that, right?"
"You bet I can!"
"Well you better hurry, the deadline for entry is Friday, December 5th. You don't want to be late like me today."
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Many of you have already received your November issue of SXSWorld, but there are still some out there that don't know about our magazine. Our publication team produces 5 issues a year, covering topics in the film, interactive and music industries. The issues always include a piece on our company's Green efforts and of course, important and exciting updates regarding the SXSW conferences. The magazine is distributed worldwide with a readership of over 15,000 SXSW registrants. Our review issue included success stories from our 2008 SXSW participants, a musical spotlight on the great city of Memphis, the evolution of film distribution, and a report on Tony Heish of the ultra successful Zappos.com.
If you have already registered for the conference, you should be signed up to receive the magazine. If not, hurry and register so that you can be sure to receive the February Preview issue! You can also view previous copies of SXSWorld online. Curious about how to get your ads in the magazine? There is still time to take advantage of a special offer: Until Jan. 2, 2009 buy advertising in the February, one March, and May issue and receive the second March issue for $500! Go here for more information, or simply send an email to sales@sxsw.com.
Nov 14 Registration Deadline: Big Savings + Free Hotel Stay!
Come on -- you know you want to attend SXSW and you know you want to save money. So sign up today today to take advantage of significant savings. Whether you are registering for a Film, Interactive, Music, Gold or Platinum badge, you will save a ton on walkup prices if you make your purchase today. Need even more incentive to buy your badge on November 14? If you register before 6:00 pm Central Standard Time, then your name will be entered in a pool to win five free nights of lodging at the Residence Inn Downtown. If you win, you can redeem your five night complimentary stay anytime between March 12 and March 23. Winner will be announced on the SXSW website on Monday, November 17.
Sonicbids wants you to open for KOL!
On January 24th, 2009, Kings of Leon will headline the Dare 2 Dream benefit event at the House of Blues Chicago to raise funding and major awareness for pediatric cancer research and treatment. Platform One Entertainment and Sonicbids is giving one artist an incredible opportunity to open for Kings of Leon and receive $1,000 for travel and hotel accommodations! Visit www.platform-1.com and www.sonicbids.com/kingsofleon to learn more. Deadline is December 5th, 2008
