Keynotes

Daily Keynotes present diverse, visionary speakers who deliver the most powerful new ideas in the ever-evolving worlds of technology, film, culture, and music.

KEYNOTE: Michelle Zauner – SXSW 2022 – Photo by Raegan Labat

About Keynotes

At the center of the SXSW Conference, Keynotes drive the shared daily dialogue that connects the many industry professionals in attendance from around the globe. These presentations run for one hour each, showcasing some of the world's most inspired thinkers as they tackle the most timely topics of today and tomorrow. All SXSW Badges have equal access to all Keynote sessions.

Stay tuned for announcements throughout the season. In the meantime, take a took back at previous Keynote presentations from our video archive below.

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Explore the Video Archive

(L-R) Alexis McGill Johnson and Busy Philipps – SXSW 2022 – Photo by Amanda Stronza/Getty Images for SXSW

A Conversation with Alexis McGill Johnson

Reggie Fils-Aimé

Michelle Zauner

Beck

Nabil Ayers

Scott Galloway

Conference News

Olivia Wilde

2019 Film Keynote

"I realized if I wanted things to change, if I wanted to make my voice heard, I was going to have to shift the paradigm from within."

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Olivia Wilde Film Keynote - Photo by Danny Matson

Ta-Nehisi Coates

2018 Keynote

"Ask me about something I haven’t read on or reported on, I’m not gonna say much about it. When you go into a punch your feet have got to be set."

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SXSW Keynote Ta-Nehisi Coates speaks onstage - SXSW 2018. Photo by Ismael Quintanilla/Getty Images for SXSW

Barack Obama

2016 Keynote

"It’s not enough to focus on the cool, next big thing. It’s harnessing the cool, next big thing to help people in this country."

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2016 Keynote Barack Obama - Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for SXSW

Esther Perel

2018 Interactive Keynote

"It’s the quality of our relationships that determines the quality of our lives – but it’s equally so that the quality of relationships at work determines the actually quality of our work and our overall ability to succeed."

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