“South by Southwest, has long been considered more of a collaborative environment or conference than a buyers' festival. The mainstream industry is increasingly taking notice: a calmer, more inclusive festival attracts still developing talents, which means a savvy distributor or agent can get in on the ground floor with the next big thing.”

- TIME, April 1, 2011

Film and Austin In March of 1987, the SXSW Music Conference and Festival kicked off its first year in downtown Austin. While SXSW Film was officially launched in 1994 (as the then titled SXSW Film and Multimedia Conference), the spirit behind it was born much earlier than that, as the prolific and passionate Austin film community built a solid momentum on which SXSW Film was founded and continues to flourish. Since its inception, SXSW has maintained a steady agenda - to provide a forum for new voices in filmmaking, a community where filmmakers can celebrate and support one another and a source of discovery for the future landscape of film. Establishing itself as the destination for game-changing buzz that every filmmaker dreams of, SXSW has hit its stride with a distinct identity that sets it apart from other film festivals.

"For filmmakers and studios, a major attraction of SXSW is its mixed audience - rowdy young Austinites, hard-core film fans and the early adopters who attend SXSW's influential music and interactive technology events ... Though it's mellower than Sundance's feverish marketplace, cheaper and younger than a bring-your-own-yahcht event like Cannes, and much less Oscar-oriented than Toronto's film festival, South by Southwest has emerged as a key event on Hollywood's calendar."

- Los Angeles Times, February 3, 2011

The Film Conference & Festival The SXSW Film Conference portion of SXSW Film has been described as a five-day crash course on guerrilla filmmaking and marketing for every level of filmmaker from novice to veteran. Panels, workshops and interviews are peopled with knowledgeable experts and entertaining speakers offering unique access to the best and the brightest of the industry. Specialized sessions such as hands on workshops, mini-meetings and one-on-one meetings in the Mentor Program distinguish the SXSW experience.

Simultaneously, the internationally acclaimed Film Festival program celebrates raw innovation and emerging talent, featuring provocative documentaries, comedies, genre standouts and more.

The prestigious Film Awards take place on the final night of the conference, and honor films selected by Special Jury and by audience ballot. Recent years have seen the introduction of the SXSW Film Design Awards, honoring Excellence in Poster and Title Design.

“From the moment you set foot in SXSW, it's evident you're teetering on a tipping point in the democratization of the film universe. Both types of film that predominate at SXSW – genre-savvy geek movies and low-budget indie flicks – are in their own ways representative of the digital revolution, and indicative of what may happen next … Purists may balk, but the likes of SXSW (and its electronic iterations) will take over from other formerly grander arenas as the hotspots for discussion of film.”

- The Guardian, February 3 & March 17, 2011

It Doesn't Stop There! In addition to presenting the best in new independent films, providing informative panels, workshops, and mentor sessions, SXSW provides an industry trade show exhibition; a unique, four-day exhibition connecting leaders in the Music, Film and Interactive industries with the companies and agencies needed to succeed in modern media.

“It’s a massive crystal ball for pop culture. Whatever people are talking about at SXSW – the movies, the bands, the apps – are the things that will really hit it big in mainstream pop culture six months to a year down the line.”

- CNN, March 10, 2011