PanelPicker

March 8-15, 2024

PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. This easy, two-step online process allows the SXSW community to have a voice in what sessions are programmed at SXSW.



The entry period and voting for SXSW 2024 are now closed.


Telling Sports Stories That Impact the World – SXSW 2023 – Photo by Keira Lindgren

About PanelPicker

 

SXSW values community input and involvement. The two-step online process PanelPicker® was developed to encourage the SXSW community to enter proposals and have a significant voice in Conference programming.

Applications for SXSW 2024 are now closed.

Community Voting

During the Community Voting period, browse proposals, leave comments, and vote for sessions that you think would be a good fit for the event. The SXSW staff and PanelPicker Evaluators also inform a significant percentage in determining the content lineup. Over 450 sessions curated from our global community have been announced for 2024!

See You in 2024

Get ready to experience more opportunities for discovery, networking, learning, and career-enhancing connections than ever before at SXSW 2024 from March 8-16 in Austin, TX. Learn more about SXSW participation opportunities. Registration and housing for SXSW 2024 are now open.

Subscribe to Event Updates and the Conference Community Newsletter to stay in the SX know.

Community Voting

 

Community Voting for SXSW 2024 is now closed.

How Ideas are Selected: Voting + Staff + PanelPicker Evaluators

While voting from the community is important, these totals are not the only factor in deciding SXSW programming. The SXSW staff and PanelPicker Evaluators also inform a significant percentage in determining the content lineup.

The input of the SXSW staff (30%) and PanelPicker Evaluators (40%) help ensure that less well-known voices have as much of a chance of being selected to speak at SXSW as individuals with large online followings.

PanelPicker Community Voting

Community Votes: 30%
Who knows what you want to see at SXSW better than you? Your input is very important in terms of shaping the look and feel of the March event.

PanelPicker Evaluators: 40%
A group of 200+ industry experts from around the world, the SXSW PanelPicker Evaluators provide significant feedback on all proposals.

SXSW Staff: 30%
With years of experience programming this event, SXSW staffers work to fill any gaps in relevant subject matter, striking a balance between new and veteran speakers.

Learn More

Amy Webb

You need to use trends to help you re-perceive the future. And to do that we create strategic scenarios which bring together facts and perception. To help you see alternatives and to help you influence the future so it doesn’t just show up.

Amy Webb
SXSW 2023

Sponsorship

Sponsorship – Slack

Those communities that you [SXSW] have brought together here for us mirror the communities we see in our Slack.

Colin McRae
VP of Global Brand Marketing & Creative Strategies / Slack

Sponsorship – Volkswagen 2

This audience is amazing because they go back into the world talking about what the experience here was. They’re talking about which people or brands they engaged here and that is really the essence of SXSW.

Gilbert Heise
Global Head of Brand Marketing / Volkswagen

Sponsorship – Volkswagen

This audience is amazing because they go back into the world talking about what the experience here was. They’re talking about which people or brands they engaged here and that is really the essence of SXSW.

Gilbert Heise
Global Head of Brand Marketing / Volkswagen

Sponsorship – Porsche

For us to be able to talk to them [attendees] in such a direct way but a very authentic way as well - that’s really what the festival has allowed us to be able to do as a brand.

Philip Mauney
Sr. Manager Experiential Marketing / Porsche North America

The Daily Beast

Gethard first met Apatow during a live taping of comedian Pete Holmes’ You Made It Weird podcast in 2011 at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Also on the panel that night was Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani. In the six years since, Apatow not only produced Gethard’s special, but also helped bring Holmes’ Crashing to HBO and produced Nanjiani’s upcoming film The Big Sick. ‘It’s like the most productive podcast episode that’s ever happened,’ Gethard jokes.

The Daily Beast

Consequence of Sound

...it’s the comedians who make sure badge holders, journalists, and festival organizers don’t take themselves too seriously.

Consequence of Sound

BrooklynVegan

...SXSW Comedy brought a surprising amount of rising stars to its stages this year, all of which were well-received by Austin’s famously open-minded and experimental comedy audiences.

BrooklynVegan

Vulture

At Austin’s annual SXSW, comedy has become a mainstay portion of the interactive film and music festival, where comedians gather around local comedy establishment Esther’s Follies to recharge between shows.

Vulture

The Hollywood Reporter

...SXSW Comedy has become known for its ability to connect up-and-coming comics with a who's who of Hollywood.

The Hollywood Reporter

Los Bitchos

Los Bitchos got so much out of SXSW – not only playing to great crowds but getting in front of American industry and a lot of UK industry for the first time. It felt like a really vital moment for the band and we picked up a great amount of momentum from it. It really was an amazing experience for us.

Keith Miller

DIY Magazine – Music Fest

The annual madness of SXSW is still just as packed with bustling bands vying for victory.

DIY Magazine (UK)

Rolling Stone – Music Fest

Special, intimate performances with rising stars … access the magic that has defined SXSW.

Rolling Stone

Den of Geek

Be they fans or filmmakers, actors or music artists, or even just folks walking down the street, the thrill and good vibes were everywhere. SXSW is back where it once belonged.

Den of Geek

Charlie Fink – XR

The XR Program was very strong, a quantum leap from 2019 that reflects the growing maturity of the medium.

Charlie Fink

Anetta Jones – XR

We have been blown away by the response to the installation - from press, curators, other potential collaborators and the public alike. We are so grateful that people have fully understood our project and we continue to receive beautiful messages from those who have seen it and are thinking about it long after.

Anetta Jones
Producer / Framerate

Laura Mingail

It's almost impossible to adequately describe how special SXSW is, or how grateful I am for being a part of it. It's not a festival, or a conference. It's a gathering of the most incredible, thought-provoking, rule-breaking group of creative minds, who intend to connect, share and build better. SXSW is a mentality that more people should adopt.

Laura Mingail

Stephen Butchko – XR

Having a world premiere at SXSW 2022 was such an amazing and beneficial experience for the Ferryman Collective.

Stephen Butchko
Producer / Gumball Dreams

David Siev

I cannot thank the SXSW programming team enough for believing in Bad Axe and for the great honor of premiering at SXSW. It was such a special experience for my family and I as our expectations exceeded everything we could have hoped for. Thank you for all you do for independent filmmakers - will forever be proud to be a SXSW alum!

David Siev
Director / Bad Axe

Michael Tennant

The platform, support, and love you showed our little movie has altered my entire cast and crew's lives. The sale of the movie? Great. The good reviews? Great. The meetings and new opportunities EVERYONE involved with this movie are getting? Again, great. All of the "greatness" aside, the best part of this entire experience was getting to stand on stage at the ZACH with my dearest friends in the world and watch them be celebrated.

Michael Tennant
Screenwriter/Producer/Cast / Pretty Problems

Nicolas Cage

You guys are real, you know. You’re genuine enthusiasts. This festival, South By, is enthusiastic about movies, it’s enthusiastic about music, it’s enthusiastic about gaming, it’s enthusiastic about all the creative arts – and because of this you know I’m going to wear this [award]...and this is going to encourage me to keep trying to surprise you and entertain you and I thank you.

Nicolas Cage
(Accepting a "40 Years of Massive Talent Award" in the form of a SXSW Film belt buckle)

Rosa Ruth Boesten

SXSW has been such an incredible experience and winning the award has been a huge recognition for our entire team! Thank you so much for selecting our film.

Rosa Ruth Boesten

Nuhas Humayun

From the moment we received the official SXSW invite - this has been life-changing. Couldn't have imagined a better world premiere.

Nuhas Humayun
Director / Moshari

David Siev

I cannot thank the SXSW programming team enough for believing in Bad Axe and for the great honor of premiering at SXSW. It was such a special experience for my family and I as our expectations exceeded everything we could have hoped for. Thank you for all you do for independent filmmakers - will forever be proud to be a SXSW alum!

David Siev
Director / Bad Axe

Greta Gerwig

I would not have a career in film without SXSW. What SXSW gave me, as a young actor/writer/director/producer, was a sense of belonging and a place to be heard. That is more valuable than anything else for a young artist, the knowledge that you are not doing it alone.

Greta Gerwig

Charli XCX

SXSW was one of the most hectic weeks of my life. I played around 11 shows and partied every night. It felt like an actual real rollercoaster. The second time I went was the first time Sophie and I performed live together. To this day that’s still one of my favourite live shows I’ve ever done. I have so many memories there.

Charli XCX

Accorinrin, Otoboke Beaver

SXSW was our first time to play live in America. We knew of the festival, but we did not know much else or what to expect, only that it was an honor to be invited and we were very excited to be there. The entire city of Austin is filled with music all day long to the middle of the night. Famous artists mix with unknown artists, all just pure music lovers, there is something for everyone. It is truly incredible, and you can experience a special week full of music love. We have just been a second time this year and want to go back again and again.

Accorinrin, Otoboke Beaver

Billie Eilish

The first time we played SXSW, I was so new to everything and the chance to play many shows in one week in completely different venues was crazy!! We learned so much there and also got to see incredible artists. We have been so lucky to play SXSW twice now and each time it was an event we booked our year around! It is really unique.

Billie Eilish

Uber

SXSW is one of the largest gatherings of creative individuals in the world, and with that, gives us an incredible opportunity to showcase the Uber platform in dynamic ways (Uber, Uber Eats, and JUMP by Uber). SXSW 2019 was home to the beginning of Uber Eats' year-long program of large-scale campaigns and activations, and the company's first ever Uber + JUMP Bike operations and support hub system for the city of Austin. We are thrilled with the results and are excited to build with SXSW for years to come.

Zach Zimmerman
Global Business Development Manager - Music & Entertainment / Uber

Daimler AG

From the initial phases to the preparation and planning right through to working onsite, the partnership has been fruitful, enjoyable, and inspiring.

Karsten Mayer
Head of International Motor Shows and Brand Platforms Mercedes-Benz Cars / Daimler AG

Sponsorship – PepsiCo

SXSW is a place where culture breaks — and PepsiCo is proud to be a part of that. The event continues to be a successful, engagement opportunity for our brands, and we're thrilled to be a sponsor. The SXSW team has worked tirelessly with our world class brands like Doritos, Mountain Dew and Pepsi to flawlessly execute customized programs across the events. With SXSW, we feel we have active partners who are truly looking out for our company's best interests.

Josh Karpf
Global Director, Digital Media / PepsiCo

Sponsorship – American Express

What set SXSW apart from other events and festivals is that the team in Austin approached our event as their own and worked hard to make it break through -- this was distinctly a partnership, not just a sponsorship.

Lauren E Angeloni
Manager, Entertainment Marketing / American Express

Sponsorship – Capital One Financial Services

SXSW is one of the largest gatherings of entrepreneurs, innovators and disruptors. These are people who dream of a better way to make the extraordinary happen. I can think of no better place than SXSW for Capital One to have a presence, and make connections with the best minds in tech and innovation. We love the energy of SXSW, and the feeling that anything is possible. It keeps us coming back for more.

Sanjiv Yajnik

Sonicbids

SXSW is the one must-attend event for us every year. At a time where the worlds of music, technology, film and advertising are coming together, no other event points to the road ahead better than SXSW. Miss out at your own peril.

Panos Panay
Founder and CEO / Sonicbids

Philip Kalin-Hajdu

SXSW has become, starting with Game of Death in 2017 and every year since with meetups and mentorship and what was to be this year my first panel, not only the most important annual event in mine and my colleagues year, but one that felt comfortable and inspiring and fun.

Philip Kalin-Hajdu
Producer / Game of Death

Kat Candler

I love SXSW because it fosters gorgeous collaboration among a community of wickedly talented artists.

Kat Candler
Director / Hellion

Hannah Fidell

SXSW changed my life by introducing me to so many wonderful people that I’m happily working with and am inspired by today. After programming my first short, the festival gave me the confidence to dedicate my life to making films. Going to SXSW (with or without a film) feels like coming home. Janet and the entire film programming team have been true champions of independent film and I can’t thank them enough for all their support over the past few years.

Hannah Fidell

Stella Meghie

SXSW changed my life by giving me a platform to premiere my feature debut Jean of the Joneses. I love SXSW because they love true independent cinema!

Stella Meghie

Karyn Kusama

SXSW gave us one of the most fulfilling and thrilling moments of our film lives in front of the perfect audience. SXSW means discovery, it means surprise, and it means a jolt of energy, which was there in abundance for us. We carried that energy with us for the life of the movie. SXSW is where it's at.

Karyn Kusama
Director / The Invitation

SXSW, besides being one of the most amazing and diverse festivals in the world, was also key to Bomba’s career. The first time we played there we managed to get contacts such as signing with our former label in the US (Nacional) and booking for several European festivals. It’s awesome how Austin can be so musical and unite so many different genres during these days.

Simon

The New York Times – Music Fest

Originally a scrappy showcase for new bands, South by Southwest — or “South By,” as it is widely known — has long since morphed into a vast mix of media, marketing and pop culture, where major brands intermingle with tech start-ups and independent musicians to mutually drum up buzz.

The New York Times

Nardwuar

SXSW has taught me so much about Music, Culture and even Technology! Every time I go, I learn something new! Plus, people come from all over the world, so this ain't your regular Festival ! Also getting a chance to meet attendees has been invaluable as they somehow down the line lead to more opportunities. But most of all SXSW is fun ! As music should be! Doot doola doot doo...

Nardwuar

John Berardo

The experience I’m trying to communicate with Dembanger is an enjoyable and hyper-realistic ride that pays homage to the movies I was inspired by, but with a modern take for today’s generation.

John Berardo
Filmmaker / Dembanger

Jiayan “Jenny” Shi

I hope after the audience watches the film, they walk away with the image of an extraordinary woman who had a wonderful life ahead and the impact of such a sudden loss in the community and everyone around her. I also hope Finding Yingying can help change the narrative of crime stories nowadays.

Jiayan “Jenny” Shi
Filmmaker / Finding Yingying

Annie Silverstein

The spirit of SXSW resonates deeply with us as filmmakers and Bull is a Texas born and bred film. Can’t think of a better TX homecoming.

Annie Silverstein
Filmmaker / Bull

Lynn Chen

The first two movies began at SXSW in 2011 and 2012, so I can’t think of a better place to premiere the final installment of the trilogy. Music plays a huge part in I Will Make You Mine, which is perfect for the whole focus of SXSW.

Lynn Chen

Iram Parveen Bilal

This is the first script I ever wrote and it is the film I always knew I had to make. I wrote the first draft of this film 13 years ago, during film school. I wrote it when I didn’t know if I had a voice that was worth listening to.

Iram Parveen Bilal

Brandon LaGanke and John Carlucci

SXSW has been a major contributor to our career. The very first project that we collaborated on got into the festival, and from there, our career started and has been going strong for 10 years. It’s kind of perfect that this will be the 10 year anniversary of our partnership and it all started at SXSW.

Brandon LaGanke and John Carlucci
Filmmakers / Drunk Bus

Sony Wow

All of us involved in WOW Studio are deeply moved by being recognized with this award and are appreciative of the title that really resonates with us. SXSW is a very unique stage for the purpose of our brand appeal and accelerating the open innovation.

Shigeki (Simon) Mori
General Manager of Brand Strategy Department / Sony Corporation

Westword

In recreating Westworld at SXSW, our goal was for fans to feel like they were stepping off the train and looking down the main drag into Sweetwater. We wanted to inspire that sense of wonder or apprehension or curiosity that takes over when a new guest visits the park in the show.

Steven Cardwell
Director of Program Marketing / HBO

Paul Solet

This is not a traditional doc by any stretch of the imagination, so a festival that is totally fearless and unusual was the perfect fit.

Paul Solet
Filmmaker / Tread

Colby Holt and Sam Probst

We felt like if any festival was going to program a film like Pig Hag it was going to be this one. It deals with tough issues in a grounded and offbeat way that we felt would play well with the vibe of SXSW audience, who might be willing to go somewhere weird, but honest.

Colby Holt and Sam Probst
Filmmakers / Pig Hag

Gabriela Calvache

I like the globalized feeling that SXSW brings forth in their festivals. I believe it’s an incredible privilege and honor to be part of a festival that interprets cinema as part of a cultural system and not as an isolated art.

Gabriela Calvache
Filmmaker / La Mala Noche

Patricia Ortega

I have always been a follower of SXSW as a special festival where industry and art merge into a whole. The right place to launch our movie to the world.

Patricia Ortega
Filmmaker / Being Impossible

Karen Maine

SXSW is an amazing festival that has premiered some of my all-time favorite films, so we knew it would be the best fest to launch our film to the widest and most receptive audience possible.

Karen Maine
Filmmaker / Yes, God, Yes

Alex Thompson

We knew we had a little movie, but we also knew it was a 'little movie that could', and SXSW is one of the few true champions of both the art and commerce of independent film.

Alex Thompson
Filmmaker / Saint Frances

Catalina Arroyave Restrepo

"Our film is connected to an indie spirit...We feel that SXSW has this same spirit and celebrates openness and risks, as we do in Days of the whale."

Catalina Arroyave Restrepo

Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts

SXSW is one of the most exciting festivals in the world, the new standard bearer for bold, innovative and independent filmmaking. We couldn’t be happier to have our world premiere here.

Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts
Directors / For Sama

David Modigliani

There is no better place to screen a film than at the Paramount, to the SXSW audience, which is one of the most engaged audiences I’ve ever seen.

David Modigliani

Olivia Wilde

I can now call myself a SXSW Filmmaker, and that is a huge honor.

Olivia Wilde
Director, Actress, Producer, and Activist / 2019 SXSW Film Keynote

Hugh Forrest PanelPicker Quote

Community is such a big part of SXSW, which is why PanelPicker powers so much of the Conference programming each year. This interface enables us to connect with thousands of creative professionals, experienced experts and informed consumers from across the United States and around the world. Moreover, PanelPicker helps us identify the most innovative new ideas from this global community, thereby helping to keep SXSW exciting, timely and relevant.

Hugh Forrest
SXSW Chief Programming Officer

David Carr Prize Prompt

“What do we do with our time and lives if society no longer depends on us to work?”

Quote Highlight 3

Peanut. Hazelnut. Cashew nut. Macadamia nut. Pine nut, which is a nut, but it's also the name of a town.

– Harlan Pepper

Quote Highlight Test 2

The owls are not what they seem.

Quote Highlight Test 1

Don't go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to.

Application Process

 

Applications for SXSW 2024 are now closed.

Each year, we encourage the SXSW community to upload proposals for solo presentations, panels, book readings, workshops, and more across multiple tracks of programming.

What Makes A Good Proposal

Proposals should be specific, well-titled, and illustrative of the impact of your ideas and the depth of research behind them.

  • Sign in to panelpicker.sxsw.com to get started on your proposal.
  • The more specific a proposal, the better.
  • Cute titles are fun, but your title is going to be fighting for attention with hundreds of other titles. Direct and explanatory titles work best.
  • The supporting material you enter helps viewers to understand your proposal and distinguish it from the competition.
  • Proof your work!
  • Meet the final deadline: Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 11:59pm PT.

Formats

  • Book Reading (1-2 Speakers): Sessions focusing on the launch of a new book (publication date of June 2023 or later), giving the author and audience a chance to explore the themes or motifs present in their work.
  • Fireside Chat (2 Speakers): Conversation between two speakers (often a moderator and expert), discussing and dissecting a specific topic.
  • Meet Up (1-2 Hosts): Bringing together attendees with similar interests to broaden their community in either a networking/mixer style or a campfire discussion. One or two hosts.
  • Panel (4 Speakers max): Diverse discussion around a specific topic. Four speakers maximum (INCLUDING moderator). No exceptions.
  • Podcast (4 Speakers max): Established episodic audio series around a given theme. Four speakers (including hosts) maximum.
  • Presentation (1-2 Speakers): One to two speakers offering a deep dive into more targeted topics.Visual presentation often included.
  • Short Form (1 Speaker): Short solo presentations grouped in an hour block (staff to determine grouping based on topic).
  • Workshop (1-2 Speakers): Deep dive sessions with more hands-on learning activities and specific takeaways for professional growth and development.

The easy-to-follow application form on panelpicker.sxsw.com will walk you step by step through the entry process. Read the PanelPicker FAQ to learn valuable tips for creating a great proposal.

Learn More

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