February 1, 2018

25 Years of SXSW Film Festival – Lauren Wolkstein

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 filmmaker Lauren Wolkstein.

Wolkstein has had numerous short films play at the SXSW Film Festival including her jury award-winning narrative short Cigarette Candy (2010), The Strange Ones (2011, co-directed by Christopher Radcliff), and Jonathan’s Chest (2014, producer/editor). At SXSW 2016, Wolkstein and four other directors created collective:unconscious, a unique anthology of short films based on their dreams. Wolkstein directed Beemus and It’ll End in Tears for the anthology. In 2017, Wolkstein and Radcliff re-teamed to premiere their debut feature, an adaptation of their 2011 short, The Strange Ones. The film played in Narrative Feature Competition and earned a Special Jury Recognition for Best Breakthrough Performance for James-Freedson Jackson. The Strange Ones is available to watch digitally.

We are excited to share her #SXSWFilm25 story with you:

“I honestly don’t know where I would be right now without SXSW; it has shaped my career into what it is today. SXSW programmed my Columbia MFA thesis film Cigarette Candy, which won the Narrative Jury Award for Best Short Film in 2010. This moment changed everything for me and it was the first time people started seriously taking notice of me as a filmmaker.

Since then, SXSW has been an unwavering champion of my work – from short films to SXSW bumpers to omnibus features to my first feature film, The Strange Ones, that premiered at SXSW this past year. Janet Pierson, Claudette Godfrey, Jarod Neece, and everyone at SXSW are tireless champions of emerging artists and love discovering new talent. They have created an incredibly holistic space for an inspiring community of independent filmmakers to collaborate and celebrate the spirit of exceptional visual storytelling year after year. I have met all of my favorite collaborators and friends at SXSW. Not to mention, I met our soon-to-be baby daddy at my first SXSW. Imagine the SXSW onesies we’re going to purchase. TMI? Spring in Austin – It’s my favorite time of the year.”

Join Us For SXSW 2018

Grab your Film Badge today for primary access to all SXSW Film events including world premieres, roundtables, workshops, and parties. Register to attend by Friday, February 9 and save. Book your hotel through SXSW Housing & Travel for the best available rates.

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

See you in March!

The Strange Ones Photo by – Sean Kennedy

The post 25 Years of SXSW Film Festival – Lauren Wolkstein appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

February 1, 2018

Convergence is Everywhere – 2018 SXSW Programming Trends

Each year, different trends emerge from SXSW programming and act as identifiers for where we’re at and where we’re headed. From the 12 significant trends identified by the SXSW Programming Team for the 2018 event, Convergence is Everywhere emphasizes how we can achieve new levels of creative collaboration if we are willing to see past conventional boundaries and explore different industries and ways of thinking. Get to know this trend and related-SXSW sessions below that we think will dominate discussions this March.

Convergence is Everywhere Trend

As people, our ability to adapt is what allows us to advance and thrive. Actively challenging our own ideals yields personal growth, and integrating outside perspectives prompts collaboration and the potential for innovation. There’s a new world of possibility beyond the limits of how we define ourselves, joined by a new wave of thought-leaders coming forth to drive the future of creativity.

Learn from Amber Thomas of Polygraph, as well as Liz Manashil and Jess Feselier in the session, More Than Numbers: Data Analysis for Storytellers, as they bridge the gap between art and business and discuss how storytellers can revolutionize their audience reach with data analytics. Attend The Emotional Life of Your Autonomous Car, led by Pamela Pavliscak of Change Sciences, to explore the blurring line between human and machine.

Embracing disruptive technological trends is imperative to sustaining an environment that values flexibility over rigidity. Hear from Evernote’s Anirban Kundu on the potential of artificial intelligence in the session Sci-Fi to Reality: Evolution of AI in the Workplace and learn about the changing relationship between performance and tech in the session Breaking the 4th Wall: Drone Swarms in Art, led by Verity Studios AG speakers Philippe Labouchere, Léa Pereyre, and others.

Discover how today’s thought-leaders are uniting industries from all over the world and add these sessions to your 2018 SXSW Schedule. Stay tuned for more programming announcements through March.

Convergence is Everywhere Session Highlights

• More Than Numbers: Data Analysis for Storytellers
  
• The Emotional Life of Your Autonomous Car
• Sci-Fi to Reality: Evolution of AI in the Workplace
• Branded Cities: Can We Avoid an Urban Dystopia?
• Breaking the 4th Wall: Drone Swarms in Art

<!–[if lte IE 8]>

<![endif]–> hbspt.cta.load(558236, ‘fa624deb-695d-4287-912b-3d53ae2cd965’, {});

Join Us for SXSW 2018

The SXSW Conference includes 24 programming tracks divided amongst Interactive, Film, Music, and Convergence. Each March, some of the world’s most creative minds come together in Austin, Texas to discover, learn, network, brainstorm and collaborate.

Explore new opportunities during 10 days of sessions, screenings, showcases, exhibitions, networking, and beyond from March 9-18 at SXSW 2018. Save big when you register to attend before Friday, February 9.

SXSW registrants get access to SXSW hotels at the lowest rates available by making reservations through SXSW Housing & Travel. Visit our availability page and then book your stay today to save.

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

Teaser Photo by David Zacek

The post Convergence is Everywhere – 2018 SXSW Programming Trends appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

February 1, 2018

Discover What’s Next: Register to Attend SXSW 2018

Get ready for another memorable SXSW next March 9-18 in Austin, Texas! Register to attend by Friday, February 9 and save. Explore highlights from recent programming announcements from the Film Festival, Music Festival, and Conference below, watch our Spotlight Video above, and learn how to customize your SXSW Schedule.

SXSW Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries during 10 days of sessions, screenings, showcases, exhibitions, parties, art installations, and networking.

SXSW is the premier destination for thousands of creatives from a vast and diverse range of industries to discover what’s next. From compelling conversations with industry heavy weights and forging new connections, to buzz-worthy film screenings and fresh new sounds at showcases, SXSW fosters creative and professional growth.

This March, get ready for the perfect mix of learning, discovery, innovative visions, personal points of view, new friends, a serious amount of tacos, and beyond. This is only a sampling of the multitude of unexpected adventures to come next March… with many exciting programming announcements still on the way.

Latest Programming Announcements

For the SXSW Conference, philanthropist Melinda Gates joins the lineup as a Convergence Keynote with previously announced Keynotes Lyor Cohen, Sadiq Khan, Darren Aronofsky, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Barry Jenkins​, Esther Perel, and whurley.

In addition, the newest round of Featured Speakers includes Oscar-winning director, writer, and producer Spike Lee; Apple’s Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue; award-winning actress, writer, and director Lena Dunham; actor and writer Ethan Hawke; Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson; activist and technologist Chelsea Manning; executive editor of Recode Kara Swisher; Westworld cast members Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, and Jeffrey Wright; YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki; and many more.

Building on an impressive Conference lineup, these speakers represent many of the developing trends expected to come out of SXSW 2018. Explore our 12 top trends for SXSW 2018 through the lens of tech and culture.

The SXSW Film Festival rolled out the red carpet with the announcement of the 2018 Features Lineup and Opening Night Film A Quiet Place. The full lineup will include 132 Features, 44 films from first-time filmmakers, 86 World Premieres, 11 North American Premieres, and 5 U.S. Premieres. Additional titles will continue to be announced up until March. Take a look back at the past 25 Years of the SXSW Film Festival with weekly spotlights on careers launched, artists discovered, powerful performances, and more from featured alumni.

Dive into the latest round-up of Showcasing Artists announcements including Sub-Pop indie-rockers Bully, XXL Freshman Class alumni OG Maco, Polyvinyl garage-rock band White Reaper, The Strokes’ Albert Hammond Jr., and funky soul singer Davie, as well as Mentor Sessions with Tiana Lewis (Pandora), Tom Mullen (Atlantic Records), Samantha Steele (Triple 8 Management) and many more. Listen to weekly SXSWfm’s specialty shows highlighting 2018 Showcasing Artists and tune into SXSW News for weekly announcements now through March.

Browse through all confirmed programming for the 2018 SXSW Conference & Festivals on the online SXSW Schedule and begin building your personal schedule. Check out the Schedule Help page for further information on logging in, filtering events, and adding events to your schedule.

Download the SXSW GO mobile app to sync your online schedule with your mobile device, so your info will always be up-to-date. Plus, get schedule recommendations based on favorited events, networking contacts, and more.

For more in-depth coverage of SXSW, explore the latest issue of SXSWorld® magazine in its new online format.

<!–[if lte IE 8]>

<![endif]–> hbspt.cta.load(558236, ‘fa624deb-695d-4287-912b-3d53ae2cd965’, {});

Begin Your SXSW Adventure

It’s never too early to begin planning your SXSW adventure! With expanded access to events for all registrants, attendees will receive primary access to programming associated with their badge type but now also enjoy secondary entry to most other SXSW events. Take the Tracks Quiz to discover which badge fits your needs. The Platinum Badge remains the key to primary access to all of SXSW.

Register and book your hotel today! SXSW registrants get access to SXSW hotels at the lowest rates available by making reservations through SXSW Housing & Travel. Visit our availability page and then book your stay today to save. If you are attending as a group (10+), contact us for more information on special savings.

SXSW is also offering an exclusive “Buy One Badge, Get One Free” discount for students now through Thursday, March 1. If you are a currently enrolled high school or college student, fill out the application for you and a fellow student today.

Sign up for SXSW Event Updates and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest SXSW happenings.

Register Now

Teaser photos courtesy Apple Music / 2017 SXSW Conference panel, Shake Up the Industry by Entertaining with Empathy – Teaser Photo by Ann Alva Wieding

The post Discover What’s Next: Register to Attend SXSW 2018 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

February 1, 2018

Nail Art, Inclusive Design, and Everyday Ways to Fight Oppression: Social Impact Track Sessions For SXSW 2018

The desire and motivation to do good has a snowball effect, and when one person speaks up, it has the power to permeate society. The SXSW Social Impact Track highlights activists, storytellers, entertainers, nonprofits, foundations and social enterprises creating impact and contributing to a better world. This March at SXSW, the Social Impact Track will address topics ranging from tangible ways media influencers can advocate for change to the development of civil rights for cyborgs.

During the Social Impact Track hear from activists such as Manal al-Sharif and learn how anyone can create change and generate social impact. In 2011, as part of the Women2Drive campaign, Al-Sharif daringly filmed herself driving in Saudi Arabia and posted the video to YouTube. SXSW Programmer Tammy Lynn noted, “Although Al-Sharif didn’t actually break any law, she and her fellow agitators successfully broke the taboo and demanded an end to the ban. This September, Saudi Arabia announced that they plan to lift the ban on women drivers, effective June 2018. See Al-Sharif speak, along with other remarkable women in the Social Impact session, Everyday Ways to Fight Oppression.”

Dive deeper into the Social Impact Track from March 10-14 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.

Social Impact Session Highlights

Everyday Ways to Fight Oppression

Speakers: Manal Al-Sharif, Thor Halvorssen (Human Rights Foundation), Leyla Hussein (Dahlia Project), and Maria Toorpakai Wazir (Maria Toorpakai Foundation)

Repressive regimes use many tools to keep power, and now people everywhere are fighting back with ordinary actions. Hear how a computer scientist in Saudi Arabia challenged the government by driving a car; how a psychotherapist in the UK used creativity to combat violence against women; and how a girl in Pakistan defied the Taliban by playing squash. During this panel, moderated by the Human Rights Foundation, these women will show how anybody can make an impact and bring about social change.

Add to Your Schedule

Tiny Canvases: Identity and Protest through Nail Art

Speakers: Meghann Rosales (Nails Y’all)

Meghann Rosales is a nail artist and owner of Nails Y’all in Austin, TX. With a background in cartooning, she specializes in hand-painted miniature portraits of people and pets. She draws heavily on politics, feminist iconography, pop culture, and art for design inspiration. Her nails have appeared in The Atlantic, Whole Foods, and The Rachel Maddow Show.

Meghann was raised in Houston and moved to central Texas in 2001. Prior to opening her business in 2011, she earned a Master’s degree in education from Fordham University in New York City, where she taught high school history and admired her students’ amazing manicures.

Add to Your Schedule

There Is No Other Hand: Inclusive Design & Kids

Speakers: Jordan Reeves (Born Just Right), and Jen Lee Reeves (Born Just Right)

A blast of glitter from a kid-invented, 3D-printed unicorn horn shaped prosthetic arm is helping change how we think about disability and inclusive design. 11-year-old Jordan Reeves and her mom, Jen Lee Reeves, share how Jordan’s opportunity to enhance her limb difference with a creative design has pushed the tween forward as a spokesperson to help reshape how we think about disability and inclusive design. The two will share the path they are taking to change attitude and industry.

Add to Your Schedule

Cyborg Pride – An Introduction To Cyborg Identity

Speakers: Richard MacKinnon (BorgFest Human Augmentation Expo), and Kevin Welch (EFF-Austin, Digital Arts Coalition)

Come and celebrate Cyborg Pride with Borgfest and EFF-Austin! Borgfest director Rich MacKinnon and EFF-Austin president Kevin Welch will talk about their collaboration to create the world’s first Cyborg Pride parade to raise visibility for this emerging population of humans and to increase awareness of the civil rights issues that surround being a cyborg. With Cyborg Pride, they hope to give cyborgs, cyborgs-in-waiting, and their allies a place to celebrate cyborg identity.

Add to Your Schedule

Browse All Social Impact 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 Food Track but will interest any SXSW attendee.

• What About Us: Ableism and Disability in the Media
  – Kristen Parisi (Writer)
  Track: News & Journalism

• Blockchain for Refugees: Economic Passports
  – Ashish Gadnis (Banqu)
  Track: Startup & Tech Sectors

• Emoticulture: How Data & Science Create Happiness
  – Saleem Alhabash (Assistant Professor), and Marcus Collins (Doner)
  Track: Brands & Marketing

<!–[if lte IE 8]>

<![endif]–> hbspt.cta.load(558236, ‘fa624deb-695d-4287-912b-3d53ae2cd965’, {});

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 Jon Currie

The post Nail Art, Inclusive Design, and Everyday Ways to Fight Oppression: Social Impact Track Sessions For SXSW 2018 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film