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[title]South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney was the talk of the town in October and for good reason! It was a landmark moment for the futuristic conference and festival, marking the first time in history that it’s ever been held outside its original digs in Austin, Texas.
Over one mammoth week from October 15-22, SXSW Sydney brought together Asia-Pacific’s best gamers, film buffs, tech wizards and music lovers in the heart of Sydney Harbour. From the get-go, the festival was buzzing with 1,000 ground-breaking events and networking sessions attended by innovators, entrepreneurs and open-minded people from across the region.
SXSW Sydney had a fierce start with a spectacular afternoon of events at the free innovation hub at Tumbalong Park, opening the doors for everyone to experience the future of music, games, screen and tech. Tiktok's House of Music Discovery at Pleasures Playhouse also brought in the crowds with incredible panel discussions on the brand’s impact on music, along with happy hours and artist showcases.
Many of the world’s greatest minds and thought leaders took the stage over the following days including a packed house conversation with CEO of the Future Today Institute Amy Webb about what’s on the edge of tomorrow; an insightful discussion with founder of Playbook Media Rohit Bhargava on why some world-changing ideas survive and others die; a captivating discussion with Emmy-winning executive producer of Formula 1: Drive To Survive Paul Martin on making sports documentaries that cut through and create noise; and an inspiring conversation with the creator of Black Mirror Charlie Brooker.
From working behind to starring in front of the camera, SXSW Sydney also invited Hollywood’s greats to take the stage including Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman and Chance the Rapper. The festival also rolled out the red carpet for world premieres of Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs and Gabriel Gasparinatos' documentary Onefour: Against All Odds, plus a hotly-anticipated screening of Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles.
Throughout the stacked week, SXSW Sydney was alive and well with attendees hopping from venue to venue, eager to discover the next hottest artist, watch fascinating talks featuring more than 700 speakers, try the latest VR/AR technologies, and network with other like-minded people.
It only gets bigger and better from here! SXSW has locked in four more years of festivals in Sydney (with an option for five more after that) and is excited to see the flow-on effect of having this many innovative and open-minded people all in one place. The festival will be back before you know it and they’re already dreaming up how they can do things differently in 2024. SXSW Sydney welcomes everyone to get involved next year – whether that means submitting your film for the Screen Festival or getting your start-up ideas ready for the SXSW Sydney Pitch. Fill out their contact form with any feedback or ideas here.