Partially a music festival, partially a film festival and partially a conferences and partially an exhibit hall for people with interesting and unique ideas they'd like to share with the world, SXSW attracts people music lovers and cinephiles alike, from fans to media. Held annually mid-March in Austin, Texas, SXWS is a showcase of music, film and interactive highlights that take form in the shame of performances, exhibits, talks, screenings and more.
Hanson and James Blunt were discovered in SXSW, which earned the festival the reputation as the ultimate trend-setter and launcher of careers. Ever since it was founded in 1987, it has continued to grow in both scope and size every year. According to its website, “showcases are curated by record labels, booking agencies, management and PR firms, export offices, publishers, media outlets, lifestyle brands, festivals, and more, drawing on a pool of artists looking to enhance their careers by reaching new audiences.”
Artists that partake in the SXSW Music Festival perform in bars, clubs, parks, churches, hotels, and more. As its website states, “Not limited in genre or regional focus, audiences can enjoy a variety of musical styles at SXSW. At the 2018 edition, new, developing, and established Showcasing Artists from 65 countries were represented amongst the 2,000-plus official performers. To discover the 2000+ acts that performed at SXSW 2018, stream our Spotify Playlists, read our Music Bloggers Guide to SXSW 2018, surf our YouTube Music Video playlist, and tune into SXSWfm.”
SXSM also hosts a film festival. For nine days in March, creatives of all stripes gather for the acclaimed SXSM Film program to celebrate “raw innovation and emerging talent from both behind and in front of the camera. Featuring provocative dramas, documentaries, comedies, genre standouts, and more, the festival has become known for the high caliber and diversity of films presented, and for its smart, enthusiastic audiences.”
As the SXSW Film Festival runs alongside SXSW Interactive and SXSW Music, “attendees have the opportunity to connect with tech and music industry experts, making the SXSW Film Festival an unparalleled experience at the forefront of discovery, creativity, and innovation.”
The event also includes The SXSW Interactive Festival, which provides a variety of compelling evening networking experiences that run smoothly alongside the many learning opportunities the SXSW Conference provides.
According to its website, “the evening networking events that make up the SXSW Interactive Festival range from parties to award presentations - and almost everything in between.” The festival holds an Interactive Festival Opening Party to inaugurate the conference, which provides attendees with a great opportunity to make valuable connections that will serve them for the rest of the festival.
The event also features an award ceremony that honours some of the industry's most important innovators. These events include te Interactive Innovation Awards, Accelerator Awards, Release It Awards, and Community Service Awards.
To conclude the Interactive Festival portion of SXSW, there is a massive party called Interactive Festival Bash.
This massive event also hosts a Comedy Festival, which presents uniquely diverse programming that highlights exception emerging and established talent. According to its website, “SXSW Comedy features a diverse line-up of rising stars, established greats, and surprise guests. All badges, Film and Music Wristbands are welcomed to all SXSW Comedy events.” The event is full of performances, showcases and events.
Some of the comedy festival participants have included Adam Lustick, Adam Pally, Aparna Nancherla, Baron Vaughn, Berth Stelling, Betsy Sodaro, Bill Hader, Chris Garcia, Conner O'Malley, Dave Anthony, Dave Hill, David Gborie, Dick Cavett, Doug Benson, Gareth Reynolds, Godfrey, Horatio Sanz, Ian Abramson, Ian Karmel, Jake Weisman, James Adomian, James Davis, Jermaine Fowler, Joe Pera, Lauren Lapkus, Martha Kelly, Matt Besser, Nick Thune, Robin Thede, Vanessa Gonzalez, Willie Barcena, and many more.
If you plan on attending SXSW, SXSW “is the official communications hub for SXSW registrants. Once you have registered to attend SXSW, you can log in to keep contact information up to date, communicate with the SXSW Housing Desk, and upload your badge photo. SXSW registrants can search for and message other attendees, build a bio, tag their profile with interests, and add links to places where other users can learn more about projects, interests, or ways to connect. SXSW registrants can also add links to Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms, as well as build their own personal schedule.”