June 25, 2018

Enter Your Session Idea into the 2019 SXSW PanelPicker

Help shape the 2019 SXSW Conference programming – Propose session ideas through PanelPicker® from Monday, June 25 through Friday, July 20.

PanelPicker is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform developed to encourage the community to pitch their proposals for our daytime conference programming. This easy, two-step online process allows the SXSW community to have a voice in what creative and thought-provoking programming is scheduled at the SXSW Conference, SXSW EDU, and SXSW Gaming.

The SXSW Conference provides an opportunity for global professionals at every level to participate, learn, and network. Explore what’s next in the worlds of entertainment, culture, and technology within 25 Tracks of programming.

The Application Process

Upload proposals related to music, film, and digital technologies in variety of session formats including panels, solo presentations, workshops, and more. The application process is simple: visit PanelPicker.sxsw.com, read the FAQ, and complete the online form by Friday, July 20 at 11:59pm PT.

Go to PanelPicker

All ideas received will be posted online for the PanelPicker Community Voting period. Community votes makeup 30% of the final decision, plus input of the SXSW Staff (30%) and Advisory Board (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. Together these percentages help determine the final programming lineup – it’s as easy as “enter, review, comment, and vote” to help shape SXSW programming.

Programming Trends

While PanelPicker contributes to the majority of the 2019 SXSW Conference programming, it also helps us identify industry trends based on each season’s entries. From the ever-emerging technology of artificial intelligence to consumer data protection, and the complexity of the music licensing to the promise of gene editing, SXSW aims to keep the cutting edge in view. Explore 2018 Programming Trends and follow SXSW News for the latest updates in trends that emerge from the 2019 PanelPicker.

Enter Your Session Idea for SXSW 2019

Stay tuned for more updates on PanelPicker proposal tips, trends, meet ups, and SXSW 2019 information. Looking for PanelPicker inspiration? Browse our 25 Tracks of programming for 2018 speaker and session highlights.

Enter Now

Explore all open applications for the 2019 event and be a part of this inventive SXSW community from March 8-17, 2019.

Mark your calendars for August 1, 2018 when SXSW 2019 Registration and Housing open.

Photo by Danny Matson

The post Enter Your Session Idea into the 2019 SXSW PanelPicker appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

June 25, 2018

Tips to Book Your Hotel for SXSW 2019

There are a few things you need to know about booking your hotel when Housing and 2019 SXSW Registration open on August 1, but the most important thing to remember is that the SXSW Housing & Travel team is here to help. Read our helpful tips and policies below as you prepare to book your hotel for the 2019 SXSW Conference & Festivals beginning August 1, 2018.

Booking for an Individual

To ensure SXSW Housing & Travel hotel rooms go to SXSW attendees, each registrant is limited to one hotel reservation. Each reservation must be made separately through your SXSW shopping cart or SXSW Social.

Booking for Large Groups

To register and book hotels for multiple people in your organization, SXSW Housing & Travel recommends you purchase all your registrations in one SXSW shopping cart. After purchasing your registrations, book your hotel rooms by clicking the link to “Request Hotel” next to each registration located in your purchase history or using the SXSW Housing link in the SXSW drop down.

Helpful Hint: If your organization needs more than 5 rooms, it’s often helpful to have multiple people purchasing registrations on launch day. Our local team of travel professionals is available to help you with your large group housing needs throughout the season.

Payment Policies

Be sure you have a valid credit card handy when booking your reservation(s). The card is only used to guarantee your reservation and no charges are made at that time. If your hotel requires a deposit, it is collected by the hotel in late February. Upon check out, your reservation is paid directly in full to the hotel.

Each hotel’s deposit requirements are located with their amenities information on the Hotel Availability page, in the “hotel overview” section of the booking process, and in your reservation confirmation under “Reservation Agreement.” Please keep in mind that deposits are often the first and last nights of the stay.

Credit Card Authorization

If you don’t intend to travel with the card you want to use to pay for your reservation then you must fill out a credit card authorization form and submit it to the hotel directly prior to arrival. The hotel does not receive reservations made with SXSW Housing until the end of February.

After the hotel processes your reservation in late February, you will receive an email directly from the hotel which includes your confirmation number. Once you receive your confirmation number you are able to provide the hotel with the Pre-Authorization form. Forms will be made available on our Reservation Policies page in early February.

Penalty Fees & Deadlines

There are some cancellation penalties you should keep in mind before making your reservation(s). Please note that if you choose to book outside of SXSW Housing & Travel many downtown hotels require a non-refundable payment up front. We know plans change and have negotiated more flexible cancellation policies with our hotels.

SXSW 28 Day Penalty

If you cancel or reduce your stay within 28 days of arrival SXSW Housing & Travel charges a $50 penalty.

Hotel Cancellation Policy

Individual hotels also charge a penalty for cancellations within 7-30 days of arrival depending on your room type and hotel. You must agree to the hotel’s reservation policy before finalizing your reservation. We recommend you add your cancellation deadlines to your calendar when you book to avoid penalties. Be sure to read your reservation agreement carefully to familiarize yourself with the hotel’s policies.

Be sure to pay attention to:

• Minimum Stay
• Hotel Cancellation Penalties
• Deposit Amount (usually equal to 1-2 nights stay)
• Early Departure Fees

We also recommend that you save your reservation confirmation to reference later or to quickly reply to with questions. Keeping these policies in mind could potentially save you from incurring fees in the future.

Housing Opens August 1

Get ready for another exciting event March 8-17, 2019 in Austin, Texas. Registration and Housing will open on August 1, 2018.

If you have questions, please contact housing@sxsw.com or visit our FAQs.

Photo by Dylan Johnson

The post Tips to Book Your Hotel for SXSW 2019 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

June 25, 2018

Submissions Now Open For the 2019 SXSW Film Festival

The SXSW Film Festival is now accepting film submissions for 2019!

SXSW provides the game-changing buzz every filmmaker dreams about for the premiere of their feature film, short, episodic, and VR/AR/MR project in front of press, industry, and smart, enthusiastic audiences!

We’re the only place in the world bringing together creative people from so many different industries, making the SXSW Film Festival an unparalleled experience at the forefront of discovery, creativity, and innovation.

Be sure to check out our film submissions page for more details about submitting your film to the 2019 SXSW Film Festival.

2019 SXSW Film Submission Deadlines

August 23, 2018: Early Deadline for Feature Films, Short Film, Virtual Cinema, Texas High School Short Films, Title Sequences, Episodics, and Music Videos

September 20, 2018: Regular Entry Deadline for Feature Films, Short Films, Virtual Cinema, Texas High School Short Films, Title Sequences, Episodics, and Music Videos

October 18, 2018: Late Entry Deadline for Feature Films, Short Films, Virtual Cinema, Texas High School Short Films, Title Sequences, Episodics, and Music Videos

December 13, 2018: Final Deadline for Texas High School Short Films and Title Sequences

Explore our screening sections and take a look back at our 2018 Lineup. If you have any questions about the film festival or submitting your film, don’t hesitate to email filmfest@sxsw.com.

2019 Application Fees and Deadlines

Get inspired by a multitude of diverse visionaries at SXSW – browse more 2018 Keynotes, Featured Sessions, Red Carpets, and Q&As on our YouTube Channel. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, announcements, and updates.

World Premiere of Ready Player One – Photo by Ann Alva Weiding

The post Submissions Now Open For the 2019 SXSW Film Festival appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

June 25, 2018

Explore SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Categories for 2019

The SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards include 13 award categories and 6 Special Honors, which recognize the most forward-looking tech developments in the connected world, launched or released in the 2018 calendar-year.

SXSW Interactive’s annual competition is now accepting early entry applications. The Awards are open to anyone with a project, product, creative endeavor, scientific discovery, or student project that will launch or has launched between January 1 – December 31, 2018.

New for 2019, we’ve added the Robotics and Hardware, Social & Culture Impact, and Speculative Design categories to the Interactive Innovation Awards. We’ve also expanded 2018’s Smart Cities, Transportation & Delivery, Style & Wearable Tech, and VR, AR & MR categories.

Learn more about the 13 award categories and 6 special honors that will be recognized at the 2019 Innovation Awards.

See all Categories

How to Apply

Tell us all about your entry and don’t be modest! The best entry forms give the Awards Jurists a thorough sense of your project, product or service (including some level of interaction with the project being entered, or video examples of it being used). Be sure to include information like:

• What the entry is and what it does (what problem does it solve or need does it fill)?
• Who it’s intended for (audience, target market, user it’s designed for)
• What tools were used to build it; or what was involved in bringing the project together?
• Who was involved in bringing the project to fruition?

Feel free to include additional resources like spec sheets, marketing materials, associated social media accounts, testimonials, and a link to access the project with login info if needed.

Discounts for Students, researchers, and academics for the Student and SciFi No Longer categories are available upon request.

Apply Now

Deadlines to Enter

Early Entry: Monday, June 25 – Friday, August 19 — $75 fee
Regular Entry: Saturday, August 20 – Friday, October 5 — $150 fee
Final Entry Deadline: Sunday, October 7, 2018

Join us for another exciting event March 8-17, 2019 in Austin, Texas. Registration and Housing will open on August 1, 2018. Sign up for SXSW Event Updates so you don’t miss a beat, announcement or important deadline.

Take a look back at the 2018 event with videos from Keynotes, film premieres, sessions, and more on the official SXSW YouTube Channel. Find and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and SXSW News for the latest SX coverage.

Photo by Merrick Ales

The post Explore SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Categories for 2019 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film