David Carr Prize

David Carr was a journalist, author, and longtime speaker at SXSW before his passing in 2015. In 2016, we created the David Carr Prize for Emerging Writers to honor Carr and his breadth of work.

Stay tuned for 2021 info, including the writing prompt.


About the David Carr Prize

 

Stay tuned for 2021 info, including the writing prompt. Sign up to receive important SXSW updates.

We invite all high school, undergraduate, and graduate students (PhD & Masters included) to honor David Carr’s interest in the convergence of new media, technology, and culture by entering an essay or short story of 1,500 words or less (minimum 500 words) in the SXSW David Carr Prize Essay competition. Essay content can be creative writing or factual, citing sources as necessary.

2020 Finalists

 

2020 Prompt

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

2020 Finalists

Anjali Sundaram Healthcare Management | University of Texas at Dallas | May 2021

“Vulcan Society”

Alexander Zhang Social Studies & East Asian Studies | Harvard University | May 2020

“The East is Red, the Sun is Rising”

Rebecca Sanchez Philosophy | The European Graduate School | June 2020

“Blood and Nectar: A Tripartite Parable of the Mosquito”

Emma-Kate Lewis Bachelor of Arts (English Literature/Writing Dual Major) and Bachelor of Journalism | The University of Queensland | July 2020

“Workers' Rights”

Jeffrey Safo-Darko Management Information Systems | Central Connecticut State University | December 2020

“What's The Rush?”

Jordan Holtzer - 2019 David Carr Prize Winner - Photo by Cal Holman

Jordan Holtzer - 2019 David Carr Prize Winner - Photo by Cal Holman

2019 Winner & Finalists

 

2019 Prompt

Students were instructed to enter an essay or short story of 1,500 words or less with a creative approach to the 2019 prompt:

"In 2050, warmer global temperatures will lead to..."

2019 Winner

Jordan Holtzer
UCLA School of Law | Class of 2019

“Women are Getting Hotter”


2019 Finalists

Alex Handloff
Masters of the Environment, Sustainability Planning & Management | University of Colorado Boulder | Class of 2019

“How Much for that Ladybug?”

Daniel Francis Olivieri
B.A. English, concentration in Scientific Computing | Kenyon College | Class of 2019

“The Theology of Climate Change”

Jason Lange
B.A. Journalism | Northeastern University | Class of 2018

“Aboard the Ark”

Jordan Holtzer
UCLA School of Law | Class of 2019

“Women are Getting Hotter”

Paramita Vadhahong
High School Diploma | Clements High School | Class of 2019

“Afternoon Tea”

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