South by Southwest Goes Digital for Spring 2021

SXSW will be launching an online ‘digital experience’ as well as a possible ‘2021 physical event’

While this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) festival was cancelled over health concerns regarding the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, festival organizers have upped their safety measures this time around by announcing plans to stream the upcoming 2021 SXSW festival via a digital platform

Back in March the festival organizers declared that ‘the show must go on’, and have since then moved all of their SXSW Film Festival screenings, Music Festival showcases, conference keynotes and sessions, and exhibitions online. 

The SXSW Online event will take place March 16 to March 20, 2021. Entries and panel picker proposals for SXSW Online, SXSW EDU, and the SXSW Film Festival will begin on October 6th. The lineup for the 2021 Music Festival will be curated by programming staff, and priority will be given to showcase the presenters and artists who were scheduled for the 2020 event.

“The challenge of building a new future is one that we’re excited to tackle. This has been such a year of change and we, like the entire world, are reshaping our perspective on how we connect” said CEO and festival co – founder Roland Swenson. 

SXSW is also working with the City of Austin and public health authorities on plans for a physical event in 2021. Details regarding this physical event are yet to be announced. 

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