The inaugural SXSW Sydney is set to kick off in Australia this weekend, 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 the Austin event unmissable for those keen to stay on top of what is next, SXSW Sydney is a stacked week-long program bringing together the best of the best across tech, music, screen, gaming and culture.
The entire Event Schedule is now available here.
The SXSW Sydney Conference, curated by Head of Conference Programming Fennella Kernebone, will present over 700 speakers across 450+ sessions including:
- NICOLE KIDMAN, Australian screen icon and Founder of Blossom Films
- CHANCE THE RAPPER, Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, Producer and Humanitarian
- NAOMI WATTS, Oscar-nominated actor
- CHARLIE BROOKER, Black Mirror creator
- AMY WEBB, Futurist and AI expert
- ADAM GOODES, AFL icon, Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium CEO
- CAL HENDERSON, Co-Founder and CTO of Slack
- PAUL TOLLETT, Coachella CEO
- AMY AND MIKE MORHAIME, Dreamhaven Co-Founders
There will also be dozens of parties, meet-ups, mentoring sessions, happy hours and investment meets that have made Austin famed for its opportunities for connections and inspiration.
Tech and Innovation at SXSW Sydney, curated by Head of Technology Caroline Pegram, will offer visitors the chance to discover ground-breaking technologies and meet the startup founders who are disrupting the status quo. This year’s Tech & Innovation Expo is set to feature:
- AIRSPEEDER FLYING RACE CARS, including a simulator and vehicle
- An AI VENDING MACHINE that you reason with to get your item
- PROJECT SUNRISE, Qantas’ futuristic Airbus A350-1000 cabin that prevents jetlag
Tech and Innovation topics will also loom large across the SXSW Sydney Conference, covering topics including 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 2023 Screen Festival, curated by Head of Screen Ghita Lobenstein, will focus on talent within the Asia-Pacific region as well as globally renowned creatives with a program of over 75 feature films and TV screenings, 40 shorts, 20 music videos and 13 XR projects.
Highlights include:
- Australian Premiere of SALTBURN from acclaimed director Emerald Fennell
- World Premiere of FARAWAY DOWNS, Baz Luhrmann’s reimagined working of his epic AUSTRALIA
- World Premiere of documentary HOT POTATO: THE STORY OF THE WIGGLES
- World Premiere of music documentary ONEFOUR: AGAINST ALL ODDS
- CONCRETE UTOPIA South Korea’s entry for Best International Feature Film in the 2024 Oscars
- LAB RAT, a ground-breaking interactive film that invites the audience to participate in real-time
The SXSW Sydney Music Festival, curated by Head of Music Claire Collins will offer 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. Artists performing include:
- From AUSTRALIA, Elle Shimada, dust, The Terrys, Vv Pete, Teenage Joans, Dulcie, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Rum Jungle, GO-JO, Mi-Kaisha, Death by Denim, These New South Whales, Cody Jon, Aodhan
- From NEW ZEALAND, Will Swinton, hanbee, Hans., Soaked Oats
- From JAPAN, Otoboke Beaver, CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE, yuji
- From INDONESIA, Isyana Sarasvati, Batavia Collective, GAC
- From SOUTH KOREA, HYPNOSIS THERAPY, ADOY, Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA,
- From USA, Flyanna Boss, Redveil, Wallice
- From UK, Connie Constance, Los Bitchos
The SXSW Sydney Games Festival, curated by Head of Games Luke Lancaster, offers games demos, product launches, hands-on play, stage sessions, networking events, more. Highlights include:
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive pro tournament INTEL® EXTREME MASTERS.
- Conference sessions from AMY and MIKE MORHAIME
- Opening Party performance by TROY BAKER, ANJALI BHIMANI and MONTAIGNE
- Social deduction horror game turned comedy show BLOOD ON THE CLOCK TOWER LIVE
Everyone is welcome to get a free taste of what this globally renowned event has to offer with SXSW Sydney Free Events and Activations. Experience mind boggling tech and futuristic fun, as well as performances, talks and panels on the Tumbalong Park stage including:
- Climb a SUNTORY -196 THREE STORY VENDING MACHINE
- Take a turn through the COMMBANK HOUSE MAZE
- Witness the fusion of innovation and creativity at PORSCHE HOUSE
- Unleash your creativity in a world of augmented reality at SNAPCHAT HOUSE
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.
- Music Festival: 300 performances in 25 venues over 4 nights.
- Screen Festival: unlimited screenings over one week.
- Games Festival: 170 new indie games and parties over 6 nights.
Badges, Wristbands and Tech & Innovation Expo Day Passes are now available at https://sxswsydney.com/.
