Announcing 600+ Community Sourced PanelPicker Sessions for 2020 SXSW Conference
Each year, the SXSW Conference kicks off the season by calling on its community to help source the lion's share of programming by entering session ideas through the PanelPicker® proposal process. We've spent the last few months using a mix of community votes and input from the SXSW Staff and Advisory Board members to meticulously sort through the over 4,440 entries and curate the best of the best – by the SX community, for the SX community. We are pleased to present to you 600+ sessions for SXSW 2020.
"The strength of today’s announcement reflects the thousands of strong PanelPicker® entries that we received in July," said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer. "Culling so many strong speaking proposals to the 600+ sessions that we are announcing today has been difficult but very exciting work. We are particularly thrilled with the quality of programming that we have pulled together for several of the tracks that occur in the second half of the week, including Future of Music (March 16-21), Game Industry (March 16-18), Professional Development (March 16-21), Space (March 18-20), and Cannabusiness (March 18-21)."
Sessions that are part of today’s announcement include top-level speakers from notable companies like Google, TikTok, Insomniac Games, Leafly, Magic Leap, NASA, NPR, Universal Music Group, Unity Technologies, and Quibi.
The new tracks for SXSW 2020 – including Connection & Culture, Fantastic Future, Game Industry, Professional Development, and Space – add to the in-depth conversations happening between industry experts across all 22 Tracks of Conference programming. Explore the different Conference formats including Keynotes, Featured Speakers, presentations and panels, podcasts, book readings, and more.
Topics during the SXSW Conference span all aspects of the event including Convergence, Interactive, Film, and Music. Check out selected highlights below by track and use the full SXSW Schedule to plan your 2020 SXSW experience.
Today's announcement follows recently confirmed Keynotes Kim Gordon and Reggie Fils-Aimé as well as Featured Speakers Chip and Joanna Gaines, Robert Rodriguez, and more. Stay tuned as more speakers, mentors, special events, and beyond are announced throughout the season. Register to attend SXSW early to access this exciting lineup of programming at a great rate and find the best hotel selections.
Browse highlights from Convergence, Interactive, Film, and Music Tracks below. Take a deeper dive into all confirmed programming on the SXSW Schedule and add favorites to your own customized schedule.
Stay tuned for more session and speaker highlights on SXSW News, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
2020 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS BY TRACK
Convergence Tracks
Convergence Tracks grant primary access for all SXSW Badges.
Cannabusiness
March 18-21 | Learn about the technological, cultural, financial, legal and political ecosystems that are defining the cannabis-focused enterprises of both today and tomorrow. The Cannabusiness Track includes content that will appeal to more experienced professionals in this rapidly evolving industry, as well as to newcomers who are just starting to enter this space.
- The Future of the Cannabis Industry is Colored
- Under the Hood: The Mechanics of Cannabusiness
- Navigating an Emerging Cannabis Beverage Market
Climate & Social Action
March 13-18 | The Climate & Social Action Track highlights innovations that contribute to a more socially equitable and environmentally sustainable world. With updated studies putting climate change front and center in the global conversation, leaders and scientists from a variety of organizations will cover their challenges and successes in trying to affect lasting positive social, economic, and environmental change.
- Ocean Solutions to the Climate Crisis
- Protest in the Age of Surveillance
- The US/Mexico Border and the Food System
Climate & Social Action Sessions »
Connection & Culture
March 13-18 | New for 2020, the Connection & Culture Track addresses the challenges of interpersonal relationships in a world that too often favors online interactions. Along with examining how we connect with each other, this track also covers the arts via food, style, and other endeavors that unite us on a cultural level.
- From the Soil to the Soul
- Connecting IRL: The Antidote to Loneliness
- The Politics of Pleasure: Can We Come Together?
Connection & Culture Sessions »
Experiential Storytelling
March 13-15 | The Experiential Storytelling Track investigates how new and experimental strategies are redefining and re-imagining the methods in which creators develop cutting-edge narrative structures. While blending more traditional methods of storytelling with technology-enhanced mediums, audiences can explore new worlds and experiences.
- Funeral for a NASA Robot Empathy in Storytelling
- Headsets Make us Throw Up
- Maps, Murals & Meaningful Moments
Experiential Storytelling Sessions »
Game Industry
March 16-18 | New for 2020, the Game Industry Track examines the exponentially-increasing influence that the making, marketing, and distribution of video games is having on international culture, tech businesses, and traditional entertainment media including film and music.
- An Advertiser’s Guide to Twitch Chat
- How to 1Up Your Marketing in Esports
- Digital Play Is Winning - Can Screen Time Be Good?
Government & Politics
March 13-16 | The Government & Politics Track aims to discuss issues that affect the lives of all citizens. Topics focus on questions surrounding technology regulation, livable cities, privacy issues, and the challenges of maintaining civil engagement in the age of social media. These sessions also address the difficulties of creating policies that encourage competition and economic growth while balancing legacy systems.
- This is NOT a Game: VR and AR for Public Safety
- “In the Know” with Open Government Data
- Beyond the Books: DC's Libraries Foster Innovation
Government & Politics Sessions »
Media & Journalism
March 13-17 | The Media & Journalism Track explores how the process of news, analysis, and content distribution are being impacted by technology and society. These sessions also examine the fast-changing media industry landscape, as older institutions and newer organizations battle for consumer attention.
- Advancing Diversity, Gender Representation in News
- How NPR Uses Algorithms Ethically in Our Newsroom
- The Future of Visual Journalism is Decolonized
Professional Development
March 16-21 | New for 2020, the Professional Development Track offers learning and accreditation opportunities across the range of industries represented at SXSW. From Continuing Legal Education credits to cloud services workshops, this track provides in-depth and specialized education.
- The Google Conversation Design Workshop
- Creative and Practical Aspects of Scoring To Picture
- StrengthsFinder and EI: Lead with Confidence
Professional Development Sessions »
Sports
March 13-16 | The Sports Track explores the future of game-playing from a cultural, philosophical, and technological perspective. Topics will include how esports is challenging our traditional understanding of competitive athletes, big data’s role in revolutionizing various areas within the sports industry, and reimagining the state of fan engagement.
- Swiss Army Marketing: A Chat with NBA CMOs
- Ancient Rites Transforming Sports Performance
- The Power of Sport and Activism for Impact
XR
March 16-18 | Focusing on current capabilities with immersive interfaces, the XR Track explores where these mind-expanding systems are heading. Also referred to as Extended Reality, XR covers virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). Formerly known as VR/AR/MR, this track complements the Virtual Cinema programming.
- When Videogames and Tech Bring History to Life
- Cinematographers: Trailblazing Award Winning XR
- Immersive Retail: 3D/AR/VR Future of Shopping
Interactive Tracks
Interactive Tracks grant primary access for Platinum and Interactive Badges; secondary access to Film and Music Badges.
Advertising & Brand Experience
March 13-18 | As traditional marketing formats continue to lose relevance, creative leaders must re-frame their approaches by building emotional connections with consumers through unique and compelling experiences. The Advertising & Brand Experience Track features creative strategists sharing insights on developing effective campaigns using data, neuroscience, storytelling, and the most current technological advances.
- Brands Should Empower Rather Than Drown Creators
- Closing the Gap Between IRL and URL Experiences
- Sex Tech Unleashed
Advertising & Brand Experience Sessions »
Design
March 13-18 | The Design Track covers all aspects of this industry, from futuristic product design to design-thinking approaches that can be applied to numerous other disciplines, businesses, and organizations. This programming will examine how design informs our interactions, shapes our experiences, and plays a critical role in problem-solving.
- Voice Is The New Command Line
- Designing For A World Beyond Screens
- Combating Bias Through Inclusive Digital Products
Fantastic Future
March 16-21 | New for 2020, the Fantastic Future Track spotlights the extraordinary new ideas that inspire us to get excited about tomorrow. From quantum computing to the next generation of touchless interfaces, these sessions offer a platform to discuss and preview what life will be like over the next few decades.
- The Future of Healing: Engineering Longer Life
- You Can’t Eat Software: Biology’s Big Future
- The Future of Your Brain: Neural Implants and More
Health & MedTech
March 13-17 | The Health & MedTech track focuses on the new advances and approaches being applied to medicine and well-being, including a deep dive into how the ecosystem of patients, providers, and payers interface with technology to improve outcomes in the communities where we live, work, and play.
- MedTech: Separating Reality from Hype
- Sustainable Healthcare: Transforming an Industry
- Speak Up: Women’s Healthcare, FemTech & Wellness
Space
March 18-20 | Humans have always been awed and inspired by the dream of exploring other planets, other worlds, and other dimensions. The Space Track will celebrate the possibilities of the next wave of inter-galactic travel, as well as cover how new space-related technologies will propel tomorrow’s most innovative ecosystems here on earth.
- Living on Mars, Beyond Surviving
- Can Regulation Boldly Go? Space Law X Star Trek
- Space for All: The Future's Frontier
Startups
March 13-17 | The Startups Track brings together founders and funders of all stages to talk about current best practices. This track showcases the most exciting new companies, new products, new services, and new business models across many different verticals and industries.
- On To The Next One - Pivoting & Growing After an Exit
- Deaf Entrepreneurs: Stories That Change Perception
- Zebras vs Unicorns: Money & Power in the Valley
Tech Industry & Enterprise
March 16-21 | The Tech Industry & Enterprise Track looks at today’s most cutting edge ideas covering both software and hardware. Innovators and executives from a variety of industries will discuss the evolving landscape of technology-driven products and services in the B2C and B2B marketplaces.
- The New Rules of Retail
- Hacking an Election in 2020
- Modern Librarians: Superheroes of the Tech World
Tech Industry & Enterprise Sessions »
Workplace
March 13-17 | The Workplace Track brings together HR specialists, futurists, designers, and others to discuss forward-thinking initiatives that will enhance the offices and productivity centers of today and tomorrow. Topics discussed will include workforce inclusion, leadership and advocacy methods, and the effects of increased automation.
- Neurodiversity in Tech: The Power of Inclusion
- Dress Code: Presenting Queer in the Workplace
- Why Robots Can’t Replace HR
Film Tracks
Film Tracks grant primary access for Platinum and Film Badges; secondary access to Interactive and Music Badges.
Film & TV Industry
March 13-17 | Explore the current and future states of film and television, as seen through the independent lens. Sessions in the Film & TV Industry Track cover topics including distribution, financing, representation, technological advancements, and the ever-changing nature of this creative medium.
- Film Femmes Help You Get Your Movie Seen & Bought
- Peak TV and the Problem of Choice
- From the Screen to the Streets: Media & Activism
Making Film & Episodics
March 13-17 | Covering the range of film and television creation from script to post-production, these sessions are designed to guide filmmakers through the strategies and techniques that are crucial in crafting these media. Hear from a range of speakers, including industry experts and legends, as they share their experiences in shaping groundbreaking work.
- FOIA for Filmmakers
- Democratizing Real-Time AI-Assisted Film Pipelines
- Sustainability for Storytellers
Making Film & Episodics Sessions »
Music Tracks
Music Tracks grant primary access for Platinum and Music Badges; secondary access to Interactive and Film Badges.
Creating & Monetizing Music
March 18-21 | The landscape for musicians has undergone seismic shifts as the traditional industry base has changed over the last two decades. How can musicians and publishers navigate, survive, and thrive in this dynamic space? The Creating & Monetizing Music Track will educate, inform, and equip everyone from artists to executives with the skills and tools they need to develop new opportunities.
- How the Rise of Short Form Content Impacts Music
- Trigger Cities: Creating Hits with a Global Mind
- Breaking Down Barriers to Musical Talent
Creating & Monetizing Music Sessions »
Future of Music
March 16-21 | Emerging technologies and cultural trends are transforming the music industry more rapidly than ever before. The Future of Music Track examines these issues by exploring all aspects of the industry, from rights management and immersive live performances to experiential marketing campaigns and more.
- AI and the Future of Musical Creativity
- Futures and Challenges: Music Cities & Scenes
- The Uncanny Valley of Sound
Attend SXSW 2020
Join us for SXSW from March 13-22, 2020. Check out how to attend, plan your housing, and stay up-to-date on SXSW 2020 news.
SXSW values fostering creative and professional growth for students, artists, and industry professionals alike. Currently enrolled students may apply to purchase a SXSW Badge at a special discounted price.
Wanting to attend but still need clearance from your company? We put together a handy, form letter with event statistics to use as a resource to convince your boss to send you to Austin in March.
Stay up-to-date on the latest from SXSW – follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Register early for the best savings of the season and hotel availability. See you in March!
*2019 SXSW Session, An Indie Filmakers Guide to Directing Television - Photo by John Feinberg *
10/22/2019
