Why is sxsw so popular

The event was launched by a group of Austin, Texas locals in March in order to help generate exposure for blossoming artists. The first annual event exceeded expectations and attracted attendees.

In , a conference and film festival were added to South by Southwest for the first time. The introduction of both events completely reshaped SXSW was the audience it attracted. In the years since, members of the film industry and the technology space have found a home at the event. Today, SXSW welcomes creatives of all types, whether musicians, marketers, filmmakers or entrepreneurs. Music enthusiasts attend to experience daytime and nighttime concerts. Additionally, powerful members of the music industry are present, creating an opportunity for artists to network, increase their exposure, and accelerate their professional careers.

The festival hosts several days of film screenings and film premieres. Films screened at the festival are also eligible to win a variety of awards.

The film festival will take place between March SXSW Conference :. Perhaps more so than its two main festivals, the SXSW conference is popularly known as an event that facilitates collaboration among global professionals. Premiere, 8 Texas Premieres, and 53 films from first-time filmmakers.

Film festivals offer great opportunities for your film to be seen. Sometimes putting your project on Vimeo or YouTube is not enough to get people to watch it. Festivals offer a captive audience and a chance to have people see your work.

Dieter Zetsche, and more. Episodics — Vida, The Last O. Sanjay Gupta. Sign up to receive the latest announcements, tips, networking invitations and more. Photo by Martha Grenon. Keynote: Bob Guccione Jr.

Mavis Staples, Fatboy Slim, Dr. Monsters and Marwencol and Ms. It is difficult to classify this event, for it is more than just a festival for music, film, or technology.

By meshing all these fields together, it forces the participant to realize that new, rich ideas emerge when concepts cross multiple boundaries. South by Southwest is known for launching smart studio films and buzzy independent movies.

It all happens against a backdrop of tacos, beer, and keynote speeches from influential artists and world leaders. In , SXSW might have had one of its best years ever. Attending SXSW. Tomaeno agrees that the guest list makes the conference compelling: "It's the brains that are down there that makes SXSW so great. Some kind of collective consciousness unlike that of anything I've experienced before. A number of conference attendees get more out of talking with other attendees than they do from official events.

Skip Navigation. It was a different time.