SXSW has introduced new keynotes and featured audio system for its thirty ninth version.
Keynote additions embody Insecure‘s Issa Rae, Sign President Meredith Whittaker, and the duo of actor Joe Manganiello and Ben Lamm, founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences. Newly introduced featured audio system embody the creators and stars of HBO’s The Final of Us; online game creator Hideo Kojima (Loss of life Stranding); Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe; meals critic and creator Keith Lee; former late-night host Conan O’Brien; Kevin Bacon; comic and After Midnight host Taylor Tomlinson; and singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon.
As beforehand introduced, others set for Keynotes at this yr’s SXSW embody Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty, Bluesky CEO Jay Graber, and IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna. SXSW 2025’s opening session will function Kasley Killam, MPH, a social well being professional and writer of The Artwork and Science of Connection.
SXSW is going down in Austin, TX from March 7-15. For the complete speaker lineup, learn on.
.SXSW KEYNOTES
Colossal: Expertise Firm Turning Science Fiction to Science Reality: Fueled by the spirit of American ingenuity, Colossal Biosciences is rewriting the foundations of what’s attainable. On this fireplace chat, founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences Ben Lamm and actor, producer, director, writer, Emmy Award-winning voice actor, and actuality competitors host Joe Manganiello will share a particular announcement about Colossal’s progress whereas showcasing groundbreaking applied sciences like gene modifying, cloning, and synthetic wombs which might be restoring extinct species. However this isn’t nearly de-extinction—it’s about creating new applied sciences to additionally save present species. Don’t miss a front-row seat to the long run, the place science fiction turns into truth via extraordinary innovation.
A Dialog with Issa Rae: Actor, author, and producer Issa Rae first obtained consideration for her award-winning internet sequence and the accompanying New York Occasions best-seller, “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Lady,” earlier than creating and starring within the Peabody-award-winning HBO sequence, INSECURE, which garnered her a number of Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominations. Rae has additionally made her mark on the large display screen, co-starring in Greta Gerwig’s BARBIE, which dominated theaters as the largest box-office hit of 2023, SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE, Sony’s highest-grossing animated launch in historical past, and the award-winning AMERICAN FICTION. In 2020, Rae shaped HOORAE, a multi-faceted media firm that develops content material throughout mediums in an effort to proceed to interrupt boundaries in storytelling and illustration. Rae produced the HBO Documentary Seen and Heard, which is having its world premiere within the 2025 SXSW Movie & TV Pageant.
A Dialog About On-line Safety and Confidentiality with Sign President Meredith Whittaker: Give it some thought: everybody has one thing to cover nowadays even–possibly, particularly–in the event you’re the nice man. Be part of this tactical, sensible, and heretical dialogue between Meredith Whittaker, President of Sign and main advocate for safe communication, and writer, professor, host of the Outstanding Folks podcast, and Chief Evangelist of Canva Man Kawasaki.
FEATURED SESSIONS
Balloonerism – A Movie Based mostly On The Album By Mac Miller: This session will function a dialog between visible artist and director Samuel Mason, graphic designer and artistic director Miller McCormick, and Managing Companion at Hornet Hana Shimizu, with movie and artistic director Alexandra Thurmond serving as moderator. Collectively, they may focus on the inventive course of and framework that went into creating Balloonerism, the eponymous movie primarily based on the album by the late Mac Miller.
Breaking Obstacles by Turning Prisoners into Firefighters: In January 2025, wildfire devastated L.A. and a bit identified truth about who’s combating these fires got here to mild: for the reason that Nineteen Forties, California has relied on incarcerated folks to combat fires on the frontlines. This system – often known as Fireplace Camp – is criticized by some and lauded by others, however there’s one simple problem…as soon as these firefighters are launched, it’s practically unattainable to get a job within the hearth service—regardless of their ardour, expertise, and a extreme labor scarcity. This session options co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fireplace Recruitment Program Royal Ramey, a firefighter who bought his begin in Fireplace Camp and created a pathway permitting others to comply with in his footsteps.
Change Begins Now & It Begins With Us!: In an period outlined by the urgency of the local weather disaster, Change Begins Now: 100 Classes from a full-time Changemaker is not only a e book; it’s a name to motion. Be part of activist and founding father of YOUTHTOPIA Melati Wijsen as she shares her inspiring journey for the reason that age of 12, mobilizing folks from all generations around the globe to deal with one in all right now’s most urgent points.
Claiming the Way forward for Leisure: Gaming has been on the forefront of leisure for practically 50 years. Inside that point, gaming has gone via numerous iterations of change whereas gaining popularity than ever. On this beforehand introduced session, five-time Emmy Award-winning tv host, comic, author, producer, and host of the podcast Conan O’Brien Wants a Pal Conan O’Brien will be part of President of Blizzard Leisure Johanna Faries in sharing how long-lasting IPs proceed to excite audiences and construct communities, not solely with gaming fans, but in addition within the leisure/popular culture house.
A Dialog with Taylor Tomlinson: Be part of comic and host of After Midnight Taylor Tomlinson as she brings her signature humor to the SXSW stage.
DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH: Be part of legendary recreation creator and founding father of KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Hideo Kojima as he discusses and shares new particulars about DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, the upcoming sequel to the critically acclaimed DEATH STRANDING online game, coming to PlayStation®5.
Eames Home: Singular Gateway to Charles and Ray’s Many Worlds: The Eames Home–generally known as Case Examine Home #8–turned 75 this current Christmas Eve. On this session, writer, filmmaker, and Director of the Eames Workplace Eames Demetrios will discuss not solely in regards to the historical past (and future) of the jewel-like home Charles and Ray Eames constructed for themselves, but in addition the attractive approach that house is a lens into a lot of their life and work.
Followers Over Charges: Touring within the Age of Secondary Market Greed: Whether or not it’s costly ticketing charges or ticket scalping, followers and concertgoers weigh the professionals and cons of buying tickets greater than ever in right now’s evolving stay music panorama. On this intimate fireplace chat, singer-songwriter and frontman of One thing Company, Jack’s Model, and Andrew McMahon within the Wilderness Andrew McMahon will focus on One thing Company’s modern anti-scalping measures for his or her current reunion tour. These measures put followers first by combating ticket bots and inflated resale costs. McMahon will share insights on leveraging know-how, fostering honest entry, and prioritizing genuine fan experiences. This will likely be a must-attend session for artists, {industry} professionals, and music lovers looking for to guard the integrity of stay performances.
Hearth with Arm CEO Rene Haas: Be part of Arm CEO Rene Haas as he discusses this transformative period of synthetic intelligence, the place AI continues to unleash unprecedented alternatives for society, effectively past our creativeness.
Humorous AF Comedy Showrunners: Common Tv has been residence to essentially the most iconic comedy sequence and artistic voices of the previous few a long time. From The Workplace to 30 Rock, the studio’S showrunners know how you can land a joke. Hear from the present era of Common Tv creators, Eric Ledgin (St. Denis Medical) and Nahnatchka Khan (Laid), about how you can make a critically humorous present.
How America’s 33M Small Companies Can Develop and Prosper: There are 33M small companies within the U.S. They account for nearly 48% of private-sector jobs and generate $5.3 trillion in annual income. But, 50% of them will fail of their first 5 years. Small companies are the gas that runs the worldwide financial system and the world’s most significant supply of innovation and creativity. Making certain their success is among the biggest challenges of our time. At SXSW, star of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning Shark Tank (produced by MGM Tv and Sony Footage Tv) and co-founder of Price Plus Drug Firm Mark Cuban and Shark Tank entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO at BeatBox Drinks Justin Fenchel will be part of with Emmy Award-winning host, actor, three-time New York Occasions bestselling writer, and Chief Empowerment Officer at Clover Tabitha Brown and Chief Model, Advertising, and Communications Officer for Fiserv Shannon Watkins to unveil a brand new success paradigm for small companies on the intersection of tradition, commerce, and neighborhood, redefining assist for subsequent era entrepreneurs.
How Expertise Is Reworking City Areas and Constructing Cities of the Future: Reporter at TechCrunch Rebecca Bellan, Mayor of the Metropolis of San Jose Matthew Mahan, and Chief Advertising Officer at AutoDesk Dara Treseder will sit down for a dialogue in regards to the collective effort to convey authorities into the twenty first century. Collectively, they may unpack how the newest applied sciences — together with AI — are reworking city infrastructure and creating lasting optimistic impacts on communities like San Jose and past. This panel may even discover how Autodesk and the Metropolis of San Jose are serving to remodel the way forward for housing, transportation, accountable AI procurement, and extra to in the end reimagine what it means to be a sustainable, thriving metropolis.
ILM Immersive: Inviting Followers to Step Inside Our Tales: Famend for his or her residence VR experiences reminiscent of: the Emmy-nominated “Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Sequence;” the Oscar-winning CARNE y ARENA; and the Marvel Studios and Disney+ combined actuality expertise “What If…? – An Immersive Story,” be part of VP of Immersive Content material at ILM Immersive Vicki Dobbs Beck, Government Producer at ILM Immersive Alyssa Finley, Supervisor of Look Improvement and Technical Artwork at ILM Immersive Jonathan Harman, VP of Improvement at ILM Immersive Mark S. Miller, and Director of Advertising and Publishing at ILM Immersive Elizabeth Walker for a dialogue in regards to the evolution of immersive storytelling. This session will discover how the combined actuality house has developed for the reason that studio was based practically 10 years in the past as ILMxLAB, and the way these learnings proceed to form how they invite followers to “step inside our tales.”
Kevin Bacon: A Profession Retrospective From Footloose to The Bondsman: This session will function an unique profession retrospective with the enduring Golden Globe Award-winning actor Kevin Bacon, whose various roles have spanned over 4 a long time. From Footloose to The Following, Bacon has captivated audiences together with his versatile performances. On this intimate dialog, he’ll mirror on his profession, the evolution of his craft, and provides a sneak peek into his upcoming sequence The Bondsman for Prime Video. Don’t miss the possibility to listen to firsthand from one in all cinema’s most enduring abilities.
The Final of Us: Solid and Creators on Season 2: On this session, the solid and creators behind HBO’s Emmy®-winning sequence THE LAST OF US will present a glimpse into the present’s extremely anticipated second season debuting this April. Panelists will embody co-creators, government producers, writers, and administrators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, and solid members Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, and Younger Mazino.
Mastering the Artwork of Influencer Entrepreneurship: The media we devour is now not simply produced by a couple of highly effective entities however as a substitute by 1000’s of voices via the Creator Financial system. Meals critic and creator Keith Lee exemplifies this transformation, utilizing his platform to construct an influential enterprise empire. Together with founder and CEO of Digital Voices Jennifer Quigley-Jones, the 2 will focus on how content material creators can strategically use buyer insights, modern advertising and marketing methods, and AI to gas development.
Measuring Movie & TV Streaming Viewership: On this session, Rob Jonas, CEO of Luminate, the leisure information and insights firm that fuels Selection’s Streaming Originals Charts, will likely be joined by Chief Content material Officer at Tubi Adam Lewinson to debate the worth of information within the ever-evolving streaming panorama. Anchored by Luminate’s industry-leading movie & TV information, this dialog will cowl how the lifecycle of IP is prolonged by discovering new audiences on streaming platforms, why streamers are altering their method to producing unique movies and sequence, how viewers engagement shapes acquisition technique, and what info creators want to grasp relating to streaming content material. Attendees will hear first hand about how Tubi fuels fandoms of every kind with the world’s largest assortment of films and TV episodes, together with over 300 unique originals, participating viewers with a enjoyable and simple leisure expertise.
The Second We’re In: Transitioning How We Transfer, Assume and Change The Planet: The way forward for our planet’s local weather will likely be decided for a lot of generations to return by the choices and actions we take over the subsequent few a long time as we transition our international financial system away from fossil fuels. The businesses and nations that lead this technological reset will set up the muse for sustained know-how management for the subsequent hundred years. Past this huge shift from fossil fuels, we’re additionally defining and birthing the mixing of synthetic intelligence into each facet of our society – from giant language mannequin purposes to robotics within the bodily world. On this session, founder and CEO of Rivian RJ Scaringe will mirror on the size of those adjustments and focus on how contemplating our youngsters’ children’ children may help us as society navigates this thrilling and important second in historical past.
Paramount CTO on AI within the Media Business: Minimize via the hype on AI with Chief Expertise Officer, Government Vice President, and Head of Multiplatform Operations at Paramount International Phil Wiser as he shares three examples of how the media firm is utilizing the tech right now to enhance not simply operations, however your viewing expertise as effectively. Wiser may even discuss the place he’s discovering essentially the most related use circumstances in media and converse candidly about what he believes are the largest challenges and alternatives going through the media {industry} over the subsequent 5 years.
Quantum Computing—What’s now and what’s subsequent?: Google’s Quantum AI staff made headlines around the globe with their breakthrough chip Willow. The place is Google and the general quantum computing discipline now? What thrilling issues is perhaps coming subsequent? Hear extra throughout this fireplace chat with Chief Working Officer at Google Quantum AI Charina Chou.
A Sabbatical Deep Dive with The Happiness Lab Podcast Reside: On this beforehand introduced session, senior lecturer at Harvard Enterprise Faculty and founding father of The Sabbatical Undertaking DJ DiDonna will visitor star in a stay taping of psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos‘ The Happiness Lab podcast. On this episode, Santos and DiDonna will discover why sabbaticals—an intentional prolonged go away out of your job—can remodel your profession, scale back burnout, and enhance your life. DiDonna will clarify 3 forms of sabbaticals and why they’re essential in your creativity, relationships, and efficiency. Santos and DiDonna will then focus on how you can persuade your boss, your colleagues, and even your self {that a} sabbatical isn’t only a lengthy trip, however a wise funding in your future.
The Story of Solana—Why It’s the Ecosystem Fueling the Way forward for Web3: Solana has processed 200B+ transactions since launch, which is greater than all different blockchains mixed. That’s enabled by its design, which has a excessive diploma of composability. However wanting towards the way forward for Web3, what does this composability allow: What is going to folks construct? What is going to they construct that they haven’t even considered but? On this fireplace chat, hear from co-founder of Solana and President of Solana Labs Raj Gokal and Common Companion at Basis Capital and Solana seed investor Rodolfo Gonzalez as they focus on the corporate’s origin, classes discovered, and the way design selections enabled it to turn into blockchain’s fastest-growing platform.
SXSW 2025 Opening Session: Kasley Killam: Kick off SXSW 2025 with an inspiring and perspective-shifting opening session that includes Kasley Killam, MPH—famend social well being professional and award-winning writer of The Artwork and Science of Connection. Drawing from her analysis at Harvard and over a decade of expertise advising international organizations, Killam will reveal why significant connection is crucial for longevity, well-being, and success—and provides a glimpse into the long run the place social well being takes heart stage, reworking industries and society.well-being, and success—and provides a glimpse into the long run the place social well being takes heart stage, reworking industries and society.