The inaugural SXSW Sydney is set to kick off in Australia, expanding Austin’s famed South by Southwest festival outside North America for the first time in its history.
From Sunday, October 15 to Sunday, October 22, SXSW Sydney 2023 will see the Asia-Pacific’s pre-eminent creatives come together in the heart of Sydney.
Emulating the eclectic collection of tech, innovation and creativity that has made Austin unmissable for those keen to stay on top of what is next, the Sydney event is a stacked week-long program bringing together the best of the best across Tech, Screen, Gaming, Music and inspirational Conference speakers.
The entire Event Schedule is now available here.
The SXSW Sydney Conference, curated by Head of Programming, Fennella Kernebone, will present over 700 speakers across 450+ sessions representing the key pillars including NICOLE KIDMAN, Australian screen icon and Founder of Blossom Films with producing partner Per Saari offering a glimpse inside their award winning production company, CHARLIE BROOKER, Black Mirror creator, CHANCE THE RAPPER, Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, Producer & Humanitarian, AMY WEBB, Futurist and AI expert, MANAL AL-SHARIF, Saudi women’s rights activist, author and cyber security specialist and KYAS HEPWORTH, proud Bundjalung woman, Head of Screen NSW.
There will also be dozens of the parties, meet-ups, mentoring sessions, happy hours and investment meets that have made Austin famed for its opportunities for connections and inspiration.
The SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival, curated by Head of Film Ghita Lobenstein, will offer a particular focus on the incredible talent within the Asia-Pacific region as well as globally renowned creatives with a program that includes feature films, shorts, TV premieres, music videos, and an XR Showcase.
Screen premiere highlights include The Australian Premiere of SALTBURN from acclaimed director Emerald Fennell, the World Premiere of music documentary ONEFOUR: AGAINST ALL ODDS about the Western Sydney drill rap band, CONCRETE UTOPIA South Korea’s official entry for Best International Feature Film in the 2024 Academy Awards, disaster epic led by Squid Game’s Byung-hun Lee, LAB RAT – a ground-breaking interactive film that invites the audience to participate in real-time, as a community-game and the World Premiere of FARAWAY DOWNS, Baz Luhrmann’s reimagined working of his epic AUSTRALIA.
The SXSW Sydney Music Festival curated by Head of Music Claire Collins will bring over 300 music performances across four nights in 25 venues across the city with a huge array of talent, from emerging homegrown heroes to bona fide international stars from genres including R&B, hip-hop, indie and rock and jazz.
Global artists performing include from Australia Alter Boy, Dust, Elle Shimada, Go-Jo, PANIA, Rum Jungle, Teenage Joans, from New Zealand hanbee, Hans., Soaked Oats, from Japan Otoboke Beaver, from Korea HYPNOSIS THERAPY, from the USA Redveil and Wallice, from the UK Connie Constance, Los Bitchos and Nuha Ruby Ra in addition to an Asia Focus Showcase Program.
At the SXSW Sydney Tech and Innovation curated by Head of Technology Caroline Pegram, visitors will have a chance to discover the ground-breaking technologies and ideas that are changing the way we live our lives and meet the start-up founders who are disrupting the status quo.
This year’s Expo is set to feature AIRSPEEDER FLYING RACE CARS, including a simulator and vehicle, an AI VENDING MACHINE that you reason with and PROJECT SUNRISE, the futuristic Airbus A350-1000 cabin from Qantas that prevents jetlag.
Tech and Innovation will also largely feature in conferences with speakers covering topics as broad as 2050: from nanotech to interplanetary expeditions, AI & Robotics: generative AI trends, responsible AI, and cybersecurity, the future of transport to what will a VC look like in 2050.
The SXSW Sydney Games Festival curated by Head of Games Luke Lancaster, celebrates games as a major creative industry, exploring the future of game development, publishing and hardware manufacturing.
Expect games demos, product launches, hands-on play, stage sessions, networking events, investment sessions and workshops plus exclusive access to watch the world’s leading esports teams will battle it out onstage in internationally-acclaimed Counter-Strike: Global Offensive pro tournament INTEL® EXTREME MASTERS.
Everyone is welcome to get a free taste of what this globally renowned event has to offer with SXSW Sydney Free Events and Activations.
This week of free activities will offer the chance to experience mind boggling tech and futuristic fun, as well as performances, talks and panels on the Tumbalong Park stage including the opportunity to climb a SUNTORY -196 THREE STORY VENDING MACHINE, take a turn through the COMMBANK HOUSE MAZE to surface tech innovations, witness the fusion of innovation and creativity at PORSCHE HOUSE, unleash your creativity in a world of augmented reality at SNAPCHAT HOUSE or enter TIKTOK’S HOUSE OF MUSIC DISCOVERY at Pleasure’s Playlist to bring the magic of music to life.
Accessing SXSW Sydney 2023 – Badges and Wristbands:
Badges are your master key for SXSW Sydney – they open the doors to all activity across the week-long event, from its Conference and Tech & Innovation Expo to every aspect of its Music, Screen and Games Festivals.
Wristbands give access to SXSW Sydney’s Music, Screen or Games festivals, for performances, screenings and showcases.
Badges, Wristbands and Tech & Innovation Expo Day Passes are now available at Attend – SXSW Sydney
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About SXSW®
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals.
Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture.
An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities.
SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2024 will take place March 8-16 in Austin. Learn more at sxsw.com.
About SXSW Sydney®
Futurist conference and festival, South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney, will see the Asia-Pacific’s pre-eminent creative industries come together in the heart of Sydney Harbour.
The event is a week-long program stacked with more than 1,000 ground-breaking events and networking sessions across pillars of Tech and Innovation, Games, Music, Screen and Culture.
Informed by a multicultural landscape and an enduring preservation of past, present and future Indigenous cultural heritage, Sydney offers a rich and exciting arts and culture scene with beautiful galleries, acclaimed theatres and burgeoning performance spaces.
About Destination NSW
Destination NSW is the lead agency, champion and voice for the visitor economy within the NSW Government.
Spearheading a whole-of-government approach to visitor economy growth, Destination NSW is responsible for leading the delivery of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 in partnership with government and industry.
Destination NSW influences and shapes the visitor economy through strategic research, policy and thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and consultation, commercial partnerships and investment in visitor experiences, business support, marketing and events.
Destination NSW is also the major investor in Business Events Sydney (BESydney) for the purpose of securing more international and domestic conventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events and expos for Sydney and regional NSW.
About TEG
TEG is a global leader in Live Entertainment, Ticketing and Technology.
Every day TEG connects fans to experiences and customers with brands. We are proud partners of some of the world’s largest and most iconic venues as well as leading event promoters globally.
TEG operates worldwide out of seven country offices and includes Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Ticketek UK, Ticketek New Zealand, Ticketek Malaysia, Ticketek Philippines, Eventopia, Softix, TEG Live, TEG Dainty, TEG Sport, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, SXSW Sydney, TEG Theatrical, MJR Presents, TEG Lifelike Touring, TEG TES Live, Brickman, TEG Rockefeller, Rugby Live, TEG Europe, Propaganda, TEG USA, Qudos Bank Arena, FAN+, VIP NOW and Ovation.
