February 16, 2018

We Heart SX: Mercedes-Benz at SXSW 2018

Mercedes-Benz is looking forward to their involvement at SXSW 2018. Jens Thiemer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, provides insight to the value of collaborating with SXSW.

With the me Convention, SXSW and Mercedes-Benz developed a new convention format last year. How did this idea come about?

The idea took concrete shape last year when our CEO Dieter Zetsche visited SXSW in Austin. Together with SXSW, we launched the very first me Convention under the motto #createthenew during the IAA (International Motor Show) in Frankfurt in September 2017. For us, the me Convention has emerged as the platform for discourse on topics of the future, with focus on dialogue, interaction, networking and entertainment. The event combines elements of a conference with elements of a festival, with parallels to the future strategy of our company:connected, autonomous, shared and services, and electric (CASE). To sum it up, the me Convention has been a platform far beyond the automotive horizon that people expected.

The first me Convention took place in September 2017 during the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. What are the features of the new convention format, and what sets them apart from the SXSW?

The me Convention has been SXSW’s first collaboration outside North America, and we feel very honored to be part of unique experience. Together we succeeded in organizing an inspiring mix of workshops, speeches, panels, concerts, and parties across three event days. smart invited 12 national and international startups to compete against each other in the smart urban pioneers idea contest. The carefully curated program on future topics led to an inspiring dialogue platform for all participants, while the intimate atmosphere provided an excellent environment for intensive networking between speakers and guests. Every single attendee enriched the convention with exciting conversations, creative ideas, networking, and a lot of fun. Our plan to transform the traditional car exhibition platform into an inspiring community venue worked perfectly, with the help of our new friends at SXSW.

Were you satisfied with the event? Why did the convention take place during the IAA motor show?

For Mercedes-Benz, the me Convention serves as a best-practice example for our approach to provide unique brand experiences. Our goal was to completely rethink our traditional trade fair appearance in Frankfurt, so we decided to open up new dimensions in brand perception with a completely new format. We brought 150 experts and thought leaders from 28 countries to Frankfurt to speak to 2,700 additional participants from around the world on five main topics: New Creation, New Urbanism, New Leadership, New Realities and New Velocity. These future topics were explored in 16 workshops and 52 talks, interviews, panels, and keynotes. We attracted a lot of people who would normally avoid attending car shows at all. In addition, 220 media outlets from 18 countries joined us to cover the event. On social media alone we had more than one million interactions, two million views, and around 850 posts. These figures prove that we have captured the zeitgeist with our new format.

The me Convention will take part in SXSW for the first time this March. Will a convention be needed during the convention? What exactly are you planning?

The automotive industry is in the midst of profound disruption. Likewise, our company is currently undergoing a process of transformation from an automaker to a holistic mobility services provider for the society of tomorrow. In order to understand future customer needs, we have to discuss future relevant topics with them. With the me Convention’s participation at SXSW in March, we want to establish a new talk format to enable even deeper conversations about the future — in this spirit, the Mystery Talks by me Convention will bring together the day’s most exciting speakers for a discussion on a surprise topic, announced only at the last minute.

Furthermore, the me Convention will co-host the SXSW-programmed Intelligent Future Track, March 9-15 at the Fairmont Hotel. Our main hub, however, will be at the iconic Palm Park. Excellent hospitality in a stylish environment will provide the ideal setting for networking, meetings, and an atmosphere for open discussions. Whether you want to dive in or just lean back and relax, you can experience the spirit of the me Convention right here in Austin with live streams, speakers, food courts, and yoga sessions and seminars in a festival setting. Additionally, smart, our smallest car brand, will be providing SXSW visitors with a spot for urban innovation and relaxation with focus on electric mobility and a startup program aiming to make city life easier.

Content and photo provided by Mercedes-Benz

The post We Heart SX: Mercedes-Benz at SXSW 2018 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

February 15, 2018

25 Years of SXSW Film Festival – David Kaplan, Joshua Astrachan, and Daniel Junge

To commemorate the 25th edition of the SXSW Film Festival, we continue our weekly alumni spotlight on careers launched, artists discovered, powerful performances, and more with producers David Kaplan, Joshua Astrachan, and filmmaker Daniel Junge.

David Kaplan

Kaplan is one of the co-founders of New York City-based production company Animal Kingdom. He served as an executive producer of SXSW Narrative Grand Jury Award and Audience Award Winner Short Term 12 in 2013, Joe Swanberg‘s Drinking Buddies, and Obvious Child in 2014. At SXSW 2016, he participated in a panel titled “Enter the Void” with fellow producers Dan Janvey (Beasts of the Southern Wild) and Alicia Van Couvering (Tiny Furniture) for a spirited exchange of ideas on the state of the independent film industry. Kaplan will also serve as a 2018 Film Round Table participant.

“I love SXSW because the film programming has remained unshakably true to its roots – ambitious, uncompromising and above all else, decidedly weird.”

Joshua Astrachan

Astrachan is also a co-founder of Animal Kingdom and served as one of the producers of A Prairie Home Companion (2006, North American Premiere) and the 2013 award-winning feature Short Term 12. Astrachan has produced many acclaimed films like It Follows and Patterson.

“I love SXSW because the festival welcomed Short Term 12 in 2013 in what has to be one of the sweetest instances of film-meeting-world imaginable — indescribably great — all made possible because of the specific gravity of your sublime and singular festival!

The gang of absurdly talented people that created our film (beginning with Destin Daniel Cretton and Brie Larson, but going up and down through that gorgeous cast and crew, an amazing number of whom came to Austin for the film’s premiere) were welcomed by the festival — and the festival’s wonderful audience — with an openness and depth of feeling that is at once unique — and entirely native — to SXSW.

I can’t imagine a better way for this film to have found its first audience. That this was Animal Kingdom’s first film only made our experience at SXSW all the richer — even if it created a very, very hard act to follow.”

Daniel Junge

Junge made his SXSW Film Festival debut in 2008 with the feature They Killed Sister Dorothy which won the Grand Jury Award and Audience Award for Documentary Feature. At SXSW 2015, he presented the Festival Favorite selection, Being Evel, in addition to producing Rolling Papers from Mitch Dickman. Junge has been nominated for two Academy Awards for his documentaries, he won in 2012 for the short Saving Face, co-directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

“I’ll never forget when our film They Killed Sister Dorothy won the Jury and Audience Awards at SXSW in 2008. It went on to get Emmy nominated and short-listed for an Oscar but NONE of that would have been possible if SXSW hadn’t launched the film — thank you!”

See you March!

Take a look at our 2018 SXSW Film Festival Lineup. During the nine days of SXSW, 132 Features will be shown. The full lineup will include 44 films from first-time filmmakers, 86 World Premieres, 11 North American Premieres, and 5 U.S. Premieres.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, announcements, and updates.

See you in March!

Short Term 12 Cast and Crew – Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for SXSW
They Killed Sister Dorothy – Photo by Rich Merritt

The post 25 Years of SXSW Film Festival – David Kaplan, Joshua Astrachan, and Daniel Junge appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

February 15, 2018

Blockchain, Cannabis Tech, and Globalization: Startup & Tech Sectors Track Sessions for SXSW 2018

Join us this March at SXSW for the Startup & Tech Sectors Track and learn from entrepreneurs, founders, and funders, as well as established businesses, from all over the world.

Hear from speakers in industries ranging from blockchain and venture capital to mobility and security. During the Startup & Tech Sectors Track don’t miss Director of Digital Currencies at MIT Neha Narula, speak on the possibility of a new financial system and the cutting edge research being done at MIT to build the future of money in the session Cryptocurrencies: A New Future for Money. Learn about the shared economy from Airbnb’s Global Head of Trust & Risk Management Nick Shapiro, and get inspired by the life-changing work Apple’s Director of Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives Sarah Herrlinger is doing to improve accessibility in tech for the disabled.

According to SXSW Programmer Dhinuka Perera, “This year’s programming within the Startup & Tech Sectors Track really showcases how a number of industries are continuing to change rapidly and we need to all pay attention to the ramifications. From impact investing to game-changing services that breakdown traditional models, these sessions and speakers are looking towards the future with a human-centered lens.”

Dive deeper into the Startup & Tech Sectors Track at the Hilton from March 9-15 during SXSW Convergence programming. SXSW Convergence programming features a range of topics that straddle the cultural and technological intersection at the heart of SXSW with primary access granted to all SXSW Badges.

Startup & Tech Sectors Session Highlights

ICO Alternative Financing for Startups

Speakers: Emmie Chang (Superbloom)

Initial coin offerings, also known as token sales, are crowd sales that are raising hundreds of millions of dollars for new technology startups. How does this mechanism serve as a new and alternative form of financing to startups to angel investing and venture and what are the ramifications? In this session, we will review some basic mechanisms of token sales companies, best practices to consider this type of financing, and answer questions for anyone interested in investing or launching an ICO.

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How to Build a Company Where the Best Ideas Win Out

Speakers: Ray Dalio (Bridgewater Associates)

Ray Dalio, the bestselling author of Principles and one of the most successful investors and entrepreneurs of our time, discusses the unique principles that helped him build his company (Bridgewater Associates) from his two bedroom apartment to the fifth most important private company in the U.S. and made him one of the 100 richest people in the world. Hear him describe “a believability-weighted idea meritocracy” in which people strive for “meaningful work and meaningful relationships through radical truth and radical transparency.” He’ll also explain the innovative technologies his firm uses to make sure that the best ideas win out.

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Swim with a Shark: Rise & Grind to Maximize Your Day

Speakers: Daymond John (The Shark Group)

Daymond John is excited to return to the SXSW stage to share the habits, routines, and winning secrets of some of today’s most successful individuals. In what began as a personal journey for self-improvement, Daymond realized that we all get the same 1440 minutes in every day. What matters is how we use them.

Daymond will reveal how people like music rock legend Carlos Santana, Oscar and Tony Award Winning actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones, mixed martial arts champion Kyle Maynard, and a dozen others get the most out of their 24-7. And he’ll talk about how his own rise and grind mindset helped him overcome the obstacles he has faced in life – and ultimately fueled his success.

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No Legacy Software Here: The Cannabis Tech Stack

Speakers: Nicholas Cooper (Triglow Systems Inc), Joel Milton (Baker Technologies), Morgan Paxhia (Poseidon Asset Management), and Cy Scott (Headset)

Prohibition has hindered technological innovation in the cannabis industry over the last century. Now that prohibition is ending on an international scale, startups are fueling rapid growth and innovation. Most industries are hampered down by legacy technology and outdated ideas, but the cannabis industry is starting with a clean slate. In this discussion, we will cover how tech startups are at the forefront of this rapidly changing industry.

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Browse All Startup & Tech Sectors Sessions

Crossover Track Recommendations

Explore topics outside of your focus area and learn from SXSW sessions across all 24 Tracks of Conference programming. These recommended sessions are outside of the Startup & Tech Sectors Track but will interest any SXSW attendee.

• Standing at the Crossroads of Fashion’s Future
  – Liz Bacelar (TheCurrent), and Jose Neves (Farfetch)
  Track: Style

• Meet the Kitchen of the Future: Trends in Food Tech
  – Cat Cora, Jared Costa (Miele), Jane Francisco (Good Housekeeping), and Carley Knobloch (HGTV)
  Track: Food

• #Resist Tech & What Influences Congress
  – Teresa Acuña (Harvard – Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation), Yuri Beckelman (Office of Congressman Mark Takano), and Travis Moore (TechCongress)
  Track: Government

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Purchase your SXSW Badge and reserve your hotel today to experience these sessions along with 10 days of screenings, showcases, exhibitions, networking, and more this March 9-18 in Austin, TX. Take the Tracks Quiz to discover which badge will suit your needs.

Already have your badge? Learn how to upgrade to Platinum for primary access to all of SXSW and then begin building your 2018 SXSW Schedule.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, announcements, and updates.

Teaser Photo by Akash Kataria

The post Blockchain, Cannabis Tech, and Globalization: Startup & Tech Sectors Track Sessions for SXSW 2018 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film