The Rapid Rise of Short Form Documentary Content – 2018 SXSW Programming Trends

Each year, different trends emerge from SXSW programming and act as identifiers for where we’re at and where we’re headed. From the 12 significant trends identified by the SXSW Programming Team for the 2018 event, The Rapid Rise of Short Form Documentary Content explores the emergence of short-form documentaries in today's cultural and technological landscape. Get to know this trend and related-SXSW sessions below that we think will dominate discussions this March.

The Rapid Rise of Short Form Documentary Content Trend

In the age of internet services and easy access to devices, anyone can generate content. But with so many users producing and self-distributing, this information overload calls for more distribution windows and faster consumption. To meet this demand, short-form documentaries have emerged as a leading genre for indie creators and professionals. But one question remains, in this sea of content how will companies and independent creators compete for recognition and success for their documentaries?

Now more than ever, it's imperative to know how to navigate the Internet when uploading content. Learn the best strategies for exhibiting your short film online and how film festival regulations come into play in the session Short Films: To Stream or not to Stream, led by Dilcia Barrera of Sundance Film Festival, Jeffrey Bowers of Vimeo, and more. Don't miss Pamela Torno of ITVS as she moderates a panel of filmmakers diving into the process of creating and maintaining an online presence as a digital documentary storyteller in How Documentaries Can Rise In the Webseries World.

Short form documentary is as useful for media companies as it is for independent creators. Discover how the television news industry is evolving in response to its digital age audience with VMG's Chris Batty, M Scott Havens of Bloomberg Media, Christy Tanner of CBS News Digital, and Cheddar's Jon Steinberg in the session Building the Post-Cable Television Network. Be sure to attend the panel Pivoting to Video the Best Way, with speakers Micah Gelman of The Washington Post and Anna Jimenez of Hearst Digital Media, to explore the benefits of investing in a video brand for your company.

Add these sessions to your 2018 SXSW Schedule to learn more about short form documentary as a creative genre and professional strategy. Stay tuned for more programming announcements through March!

The Rapid Rise of Short Form Documentary Content Session Highlights

• Short Films: To Stream or not to Stream
• How Documentaries Can Rise In the Webseries World
• Building the Post-Cable Television Network
• Pivoting to Video the Best Way

Join Us for SXSW 2018

Purchase your SXSW Badge and reserve your hotel today to experience these sessions along with 10 days of screenings, showcases, exhibitions, networking, and more this March 9-18 in Austin, TX. Take the Tracks Quiz to discover which badge will suit your needs.

Already have your badge? Learn how to upgrade to Platinum for primary access to all of SXSW and then begin building your 2018 SXSW Schedule.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, announcements, and updates.

Teaser Photo by Jon-Shapely