In an effort to make badge pickup easier and faster, we’re happy to announce two new features for SXSW 2013: Badge Pickup QuickCodes and a Satellite Registration on March 7th and 8th.

Badge Pickup QuickCodes are PDF417 barcodes that act as unique identifiers that we'll use to print your badge. QuickCodes contain your registration number only, no other personal information is included. Bring your QuickCode and Photo ID with you to Badge Pickup, we’ll scan it from either a smartphone or a printout, check your Photo ID and print your badge.

You can find your QuickCode in SXsocial. To view your QuickCode, log into your activated SXsocial account and click on ‘QuickCode’ on the top left bar. From the QuickCode page, you will be able to view your QuickCode, email it to yourself, or print the Quickcode. We’ll also be sending your QuickCode in our “Before You Leave” email a few days before this year’s event. This email contains important and helpful information, including your Badge Pickup QuickCode.

Jerrod Carmichael,
Photo courtesy Mandee Johnson

If you haven't already, you're going to hear the name Jerrod Carmichael a lot. The talented young comic is a regular at LA comedy haunts like Meltdown, The Improv and Laugh Factory, and now he's coming to Austin to host the 2013 SXSW Film Awards. In addition to joining us in March, Jerrod is also headed to your TV, starring in The Goodwin Games on Fox, alongside Scott Foley and TJ Miller.

Bayou Maharajah: The Troubled Genius of James Booker, courtesy Anton Corbijn

Get your planning on—the SXSW Film schedule is now live!

We're also excited to share the final round of programming for SXSW Film 2013, including our Closing Night Film The East, from alum Zal Batmanglij, and starring Brit Marling, Alexander Skårsgard and Ellen Page. Additional titles include In Your Dreams - Stevie Nicks, Bayou Maharajah: The Troubled Genius of James Booker (pictured), The Great Hip Hop Hoax, the Jeremy Lin Fest Fave doc Linsanity and more!

SXSW's Video Channel is your repository for all things visually excellent in the world of SXSW, like this clip from last year's Conversation with Seth MacFarlane, who gives you a taste of Peter Griffin vis a vis tales of Rhode Island.

Back for the third year, SXswag continues to eliminate thousands of pounds of waste by offering a digital version of the ubiquitous conference swag bag.

Available via SXsocial, anyone can access swag, although registrants can unlock extra items. Offers include custom business cards from moo.com and one year of web hosting for $10 from InMotion Hosting.

Get the scoop on filmmakers presenting work at SXSW Film! Today's Filmmakers in Focus hones in on the artists behind three of the high profile premieres in our Narrative Spotlight category.

Click on a title below to read the conversation, and head to the film schedule now to start assembling your plan for SXSW Film.

Interested in reading more? Head to this page for a list of all the interviews to date!

• John Sayles on Go For Sisters
• Walter Strafford on Kilimanjaro
• Daisy von Scherler Mayer on Some Girl(s)