Turk Pipkin Tell us a little about your session.

I'm hosting the Power of Film session, and very happy to have diverse group on the panel that includes Emmy, Grammy and Oscar winner James Moll, editor/producer/director Matt Naylor, Producer Melina McKinnon of M3 Films whose working model is built around "movies with a mission", and Larry Waks, entertainment attorney with global experience in film and music. My film Building Hope - the Story of Mahiga Hope High School won the Lone Star Audience Award at SXSW Film 2011 and has already enabled us to build additional partner projects with 18 more schools in Kenya.

What are you hoping to get out of the experience?

Hey, it's SX so you can set your expectations high. I'd like to see some great new docs and narrative films, have 3 or 4 days of good times and good conversations, and make a few connections on a couple of films I have in the works. And I'm happy to be hosting the Power of Film panel and looking forward to a hot discussion on what we're all doing and why. That's the big question - why? I was working in film for quite some time before I really asked myself that question. One I did ask it, it never really left my mind.

What are you most looking forward to at SXSW Film 2013?

I'm fired up about the World Premiere of When Angels Sing, which is based on my novel, and stars Harry Connick, Jr., Connie Britton, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson and a who's who of Austin music. Tim McCanlies and Elizabeth Avellan have done a tremendous job directing and producing this film, and I think people are going to love it. Lyle Lovett is absolutely fantastic in it, as are Willie, Harry and all. And that's coming from the novelist, who generally disavows what the movies have done to their precious creation.

I'm also happy that my SXSW award-winning film Building Hope is returning to screen at SXSW edu. I'm not sure if any SX film has ever come back for a SX encore, and I'm happy to see the great crossover between the branches of SX.

And I'm looking forward to seeing Rick Linklaters latest and greatest.

Tell us a random fact (or two!) about yourself.

After directing and appearing in three feature docs about global issues, I am still most often recognized as that idiot narcoleptic guy from The Sopranos. How good is that?

Click here to read more about this session. Dan will also be participating in a Book Signing on Tuesday, March 12. Find out more here.

Liz Nord Tell us a little about your session.

I organized and am presenting on a panel called Exploring Place With Cross-Platform Storytelling. It touches on the most relevant points of transmedia storytelling and new ways of leveraging technology to engage audiences. All industry jargon aside, it's just a panel of really smart people who are pushing the boundaries of our field and doing interesting things. I'm proud to be part of it.

What are you hoping to get out of SXSW?

I'd like to shore up additional support for my transmedia documentary project, Jerusalem Unfiltered, and its companion film, Battle for Jerusalem. Whether that be in the form of co-production, funding, partnership, or distribution opportunities--I'm game! Plus, I just love hearing about all of the exciting projects that everyone else is working on.

What are you most looking forward to at SXSW Film 2013?

I'm so excited for everything that makes SXSW awesome: great movies, new music, fun parties, delicious food, supportive audiences, old and new friends and, most importantly...inspiration!

Tell us a random fact (or two!) about yourself.

I don't own any white socks, I stopped being vegetarian when I succumbed to the seductive scent of souvlaki stands in Greece, and my first film was an anti-war short shot on the streets of San Francisco during the massive protests on the day after we officially declared war on Iraq. It's hard for me to believe that was almost exactly 10 years ago!

Click here to read more about this session

Nicolas Gonda Tell us a little about your session.

In this session, we'll be discussing how filmmakers can capitalize off interest generated through festival appearances, and how they can best translate this word of mouth buzz into a robust theatrical release campaign.

What are you hoping to get out of SXSW?

I'm hoping to meet, interact with, and learn from a new generation of filmmakers - filmmakers that are pushing the boundaries of how they can create and share meaningful films with the world. I also hope that during my session, we'll be able to share with these filmmakers various strategies they can employ to ensure a wider theatrical reach for their film, and demonstrate how Tugg can be utilized to reach audiences anywhere through a community-based approach. Through direct outreach platforms, filmmakers now effectively occupy the role of artist and entrepreneur. Tugg is a platform for artists that are embracing these new opportunities to gain greater access to the theater and engage with their fan base.

What are you most looking forward to at SXSW Film 2013?

The most exciting part for us is being exposed to the broad array of people working to innovate in both film and technology.

Tell us a random fact (or two!) about yourself.

I began my career as an intern at Focus Features, working on films like The Pianist , Lost in Translation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, before moving to Texas to work with director Terrence Malick. After working on The New World, I moved into a producing role and have subsequently produced four of Mr. Malick's films.

Click here to read more about this session