Adam Spencer is a mathematician and comedian. He has hosted two top-rating breakfast radio shows, multiple TV productions, author 7 best-selling popular mathematics compendiums, deliver one of the all time nerdiest TED talks on massive prime numbers

‍

Armand Ruiz is the Vice President of Product Management for the AI Platform at IBM, where he leads the development of Generative AI products and offerings aimed at businesses. Born in Barcelona and based in the San Francisco Bay Area for the last 10 years working at the heart of innovation in Silicon Valley, Armand has worked with customers worldwide from all industries. He has spent over 13 years working in AI and Machine Learning, developing products and solutions that have reached millions of users. Armand is also the founder of a popular newsletter with more than 50k subscribers and shares his passion for AI with over 90k followers on LinkedIn and X.

‍

Grace Brown is the CEO, Founder, Engineer @ Andromeda Robotics

A Mechatronics Engineering graduate from the University of Melbourne, Grace has always been driven by a passion for robotics and STEM. During university, she conceptualised Abi—a humanoid robot inspired by the magic of Disney & Pixar. Recognising the deepening isolation brought on by COVID-19, Grace founded Andromeda Robotics with a mission to introduce Abi’s companionship into homes worldwide. With accolades from the AWS Robotics Startup Accelerator, Future Minds, 7News, and Vogue Codes, Grace’s vision merges technology with the heartfelt needs of humanity.

‍

Julie Inman Grant is Australia’s eSafety Commissioner. In this role, Julie leads the world’s first government regulatory agency committed to keeping its citizens safer online.  

Julie has extensive experience in the non-profit and government sectors and spent two decades working in senior public policy and safety roles in the tech industry at Microsoft, Twitter and Adobe.  

The Commissioner’s career began in Washington DC, working in the US Congress and the non-profit sector before taking on a role at Microsoft. Julie’s experience at Microsoft spanned 17 years, serving as one of the company’s first and longest-standing government relations professionals, ultimately in the role of Global Director for Safety & Privacy Policy and Outreach. At Twitter, she set up and drove the company’s policy, safety & philanthropy programs across Australia, New Zealand & Southeast Asia.

‍

Katherine Bennell-Pegg is an  Australian Astronaut and Space Systems Engineer. She is the first ever person to be trained as an astronaut under the Australian flag. Katherine was most recently a Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency, where she contributed to growing Australia's space capability through being technical lead on scoping the nation's first Moon rover mission, developing plans to capitalise on Australia's space strengths, and managing the Access to Space Team. She has more than a decade of experience developing space programs and strategies, technologies, and missions across Europe, the UK, the US and Australia. These include the Orion vehicle that is taking humans back to the Moon, space station facilities, earth observation missions and robotic satellite capture technologies. 

Katherine has always dreamed of becoming an astronaut and in early 2023 took the giant leap to achieving that dream when she began astronaut training with the European Space Agency. Katherine currently lives in Germany with her husband and two young daughters while training at the European Astronaut Centre.

Katherine holds four degrees across science (physics major), space and aeronautical engineering. She is passionate about using human spaceflight and space to unlock opportunities for researchers and industry, as well as to inspire the next generation.

Katherine is a keen volunteer, having worked with the Australian Army Reserves, Surf Life Saving, State Emergency Service, and Engineers Without Borders Australia. Her hobbies include scuba diving, flying, reading, backyard astronomy, surfing, sailing, basketball, netball, tennis, hiking and cycling.

‍

The technologies Martin has developed provide some of the biggest shifts in human connection and creativity since the invention of the computer.

‍

Melanie Perkins is CEO and co-founder of Canva, an online visual communication and collaboration platform with a mission to empower the whole world to design.Since launching in 2013, Canva has more than 190 million monthly users around the world, and has achieved the milestone of more than $2.3 billion in annualised revenue. From presentations to videos and websites, more than 25 billion designs have been created with the platform (200 every second) across more than 190 different countries and 100 different languages.

Noelle Russell is the Founder and Chief AI Officer at the AI Leadership Institute. She is a multi-award-winning technologist with an entrepreneurial spirit who specialises in helping companies with data, cloud, conversational AI, Generative AI and LLMs, and is a consistent champion for Data and AI literacy and is the founder of the "I ❤️ AI" Community teaching responsible AI for everyone.

‍

Professor Chris Lawrence is a proud Wadjak/Ballardong man from the Noongar Nation and Founder and Lead of the first National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) with the Australian Space Agency and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Former Dean and Professor of Indigenous Engagement at Curtin University, Professor Lawrence has a strong track record of creating greater opportunities to support Aboriginal students, staff, partners and community members. With exemplary experience, networks and academic performance across research, education and engagement – particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – Professor Lawrence drives contributions from the Faculties of IT and Engineering to the broader University Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Framework: 2019 – 2030 and Impact 2030.

Underpinning his work at Monash is a focus on collaborating with Aboriginal communities in Victoria – using technology and innovation to improve their health, wellbeing and education while fostering more ‘tech-smart’ communities through co-design. Working with researchers across the faculty, he also engages Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in schools and high schools to nurture the next digital and space explorer workforce of the future.

‍

Professor Simmons is the Founder and CEO of Silicon Quantum Computing and the Director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology. As an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow, she has pioneered unique technologies internationally to build electronic devices in silicon at the atomic scale, including the world's smallest transistor, the narrowest conducting wires, 3D atomic electronics and the first two qubit gate using atom-based qubits in silicon. Her team is at the forefront of the global race to develop a quantum computer in silicon. Michelle is one of a handful of researchers in Australia to have twice received an Australian Research Council Federation Fellowship and now a Laureate Fellowship. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, the American Academy of Arts and Science, the American Association of the Advancement of Science, the UK Institute of Physics, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and the Australian Academy of Science.

In 2018 Professor Simmons was named Australian of the Year, one of the nation’s pre-eminent awards.

‍

Rohit Bhargava is the founder of the Non-Obvious Company and is a 3-time Wall Street Journal best-selling author. He has delivered sold-out keynote sessions in 32 countries around the world and teaches marketing & persuasion at Georgetown University. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he spent 12 years working in the advertising industry and was a part of the world-renowned team at Ogilvy that pioneered new storytelling models for global brands based on behavioral psychology. Rohit is a dual citizen of the US and Australia and spent 5 years living and working in Sydney.

‍

Ryan Patel is a world-renowned futurist and go-to authority on global business, political economy, and corporate governance. An expert in scaling businesses, he has worked for startups to publicly traded companies; his extensive knowledge in strategic global market development, concept scalability, digital transformation, global trade, and consumer-driven marketing, making him a thought leader in the global business realm. He is a frequent TV contributor, Board Director, and Senior Fellow with the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. He also hosts the Webby Award-nominated series The Moment with Ryan Patel, filmed at the iconic “Birthplace of Silicon Valley,” The HP Garage.

‍

Josie leads a life of passive mundane displeasure before his psychic ills deform him and sees him roaming the rainforest hinterlands of Queensland.
A Grand Mockery is simultaneously singular and a flashback to underground filmmaking before it became codified. Filmed on soft luminous super-8, tonally playful and structured as a diptych, A Grand Mockery begins as a work of morbid comic realism before the film transforms along with Josie.

‍

Andamooka is a story about a woman whose life falls apart just before she turns 30, she heads to the outback to spend her birthday with her best friend in tiny opal mining town Andamooka.

‍

Forgotten soap-star and self-appointed Mother of the Year, Ronnie Lipsick is living the life she never asked for. An acting career derailed due to an untimely pregnancy 18 years earlier, dreams of stardom replaced with a suburban performing arts school. A husband, Cormack, who’s lust and love for life has gone as limp as his manhood. Youngest daughter, Norah, who appears to have no use for her and finally, the ungrateful eldest, Audrey, who Ronnie has given the best part of her parenting time to mould into the success she always wanted to be. But when an accident lands Audrey in a coma, Ronnie gets her second chance at the life she actually wanted by taking on her daughter's identity.

‍

In a world where no one speaks, a devout female-led community hunts down a young woman who has escaped imprisonment. Recaptured, Azrael is due to be sacrificed to an ancient evil in the wilderness, but fights for her own survival.

‍

After becoming pregnant from a one-night stand, Eden leans on her married best friend and mother of two, Dawn, to guide her through gestation and beyond.

‍

A diverse collection of films that challenge, inspire, and resonate, Bush Shorts celebrates the rich tapestry of stories from emerging First Nations and Indigenous filmmakers across Australia. Curated by the esteemed Winda Film Festival, this year's selection promises an evocative exploration of identity and connection to country.

WINIMAKU ARA PAPA WIIMATJARAKU
2024 | All Ages | Australia | 5:00 |  Dir: Rosalyn Brenda Boko.

DJALBUYAN NAHRA
2024 | All Ages | Australia | 5:00 |  Dir: Jahvis Loveday.

HYDRAULIC
2024 | 15+ | Australia | 15:00 |  Dir: Nicole Hutton-Lewis.

BEAR
2024 | 15+ | Australia | 17:00 |  Dir: Rebecca Parker.

FENCE
2024 | 15+ | Australia | 14:25 |  Dir: Samantha Alexis Laughton.

NGURRAWAANA
2024 | All Ages | Australia | 2:54 |  Dir: Kieran Mpetyane Satour.

MAHIKA KAI
2024 | All Ages | New Zealand | 10:02 |  Dir: Kieran Mpetyane Satour.

FATHER'S EYES
2024 | All Ages | Australia | 4:36 |  Dir: Kieran Mpetyane Satour.

74 mins.

CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified 15+

‍

When true-crime podcaster and sleuth Lola visits her hometown at Christmas for the first time since running away and transitioning, the vengeful ghost of a historical murderer and urban legend seemingly arises to kill again. Lola must solve the case before her community is slaughtered. She's up against not only a psychotic killer, but a town haunted by secrets.

‍

In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.

‍

Bruce Brown's The Endless Summer is one of the first and most influential surf movies of all time. Remastered for the first time ever in gorgeous 4K resolution and with 5.1 surround sound, the film documents American surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August as they leave their California home to visit Hawaii, Australia, South Africa and other secluded surfing spots in a search for the surfer's holy grail that Brown dubs "The Perfect Wave."

‍

Damon Gameau (2040, THAT SUGAR FILM) takes eight kids on the ultimate school excursion: a road trip across Europe to seek solutions to the climate crisis.

Millions of children around the world are frustrated by the dire lack of action to protect the planet and their future. Until now, their only avenue to express these concerns has been protesting on the streets. Director Damon Gameau (2040, THAT SUGAR FILM) invites eight children on an epic adventure across Europe in a school bus powered by biofuel. Their mission is to better understand the planet’s predicament, explore solutions and, most importantly, take the conversation from the streets, into the boardrooms of some of the world’s largest polluters and influential companies.

This inspiring and rollicking journey, where ‘School of Rock’ meets ‘An Inconvenient Truth', results in the children forming a ‘Future Council’ to advise and influence the world's most powerful companies on their decisions that impact nature.

‍

January 2021. The UK is in its 3rd lockdown and all entertainment venues remain closed. For theatre actors Sam and Mark, the future looks bleak. As the pandemic drags on, Mark - single and childless - is increasingly socially isolated, while Sam panics about how he is going to support his young family. They spend their days in the online digital world of Grand Theft Auto and when they stumble across a theatre, they suddenly have an idea to stage a full production of Hamlet within the game. This film charts their ridiculous, hilarious and moving adventure as they battle violent griefers and discover surprising truths about life, friendship and the enduring power of Shakespeare.

‍

CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth made the wars in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lebanon, and Operation Desert Storm in Iraq, real for North American television audiences. While her fellow journalists took cover, Moth ran towards danger, camera in hand, to get the shots. Colleagues including Christiane Amanpour attest to her bravery but it is Moth’s friends and lovers who reveal the self-destructive nature of the artist behind the lens. Innovative reconstructions of her near-lethal assignment in Sarajevo’s Sniper Alley, which turned Moth into headline news, are paired with unsettling interviews with witnesses to her daredevilry, forming the grit of this unconventional portrait. In her directorial debut, actor Lucy Lawless reveals the fearlessness of a fellow Kiwi woman-turned-groundbreaker, one who immortalized war-reporting history.

‍

A woman pauses her career to be a stay-at-home mom, but soon her domesticity takes a surreal turn.

Get an all-access pass into the masterminds behind Grammy award-winning band The Mars Volta: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala. Whittled down from hundreds of hours of footage shot by Omar throughout their lives, the film shows the iconic duo’s journey from the hardcore scene in El Paso, Texas, to rock and roll acclaim; from growing up as minorities to their rise to success; from struggles with loss, addiction, and scientology to their blazing come-back. A uniquely personal chronicle of the life-long friendship between two era-defining artists, the film is a depiction of love, death, and inspiration – with a soundtrack that has defined a generation.

‍

Join Papa Salt at Tumbalong Park on October 19th when they present The Endless Summer After Party.  It's the debut of the Papa Salt Paloma,  a new premix can, followed  with performances by BALTHVS and Touch Sensitive.

How best to commemorate the career of Pavement, one of the defining indie rock bands of the 1990s? Legendary frontman Stephen Malkmus would likely be opposed to the usual encomiums. A museum exhibition? How about a jukebox Broadway musical? Or perhaps a prestige movie biopic? Alex Ross Perry gives us all of the above and more in his pleasurably rule-flouting sorta-documentary. Fueled by a sardonic, tricky sense of humor reminiscent of Pavement’s caustic, idiosyncratic music, Perry’s film shows little patience for hagiography—or any other orthodoxy—in its nonlinear, absurdist approach. Pavements integrates archival footage of the band at the height of their cult popularity, newly shot material following them during their recent comeback tour in 2022, and a kaleidoscope of semi-scripted contemporary scenes about the shooting of a movie within the movie starring Jason Schwartzman, Fred Hechinger, Nat Wolff, Tim Heidecker, Logan Miller, and a hilarious Joe Keery as an actor seeking awards glory. Above all, Pavements’ irreverent inquiry into mythmaking evinces a deep love for its subject and for a now lost alternative culture.

‍

January 2009 in Tobyhanna, PA. Three young men (Jack Bensinger, Eric Rahill and Conner O’Malley) self-document their attempt to write and record a rap album in one night. Shot on digital video from the era, this hazy portrayal of after-hours suburban life captures the inescapable boredom as a catalyst for bad decisions.

‍

After her mother's unexpected passing, Mattia finds herself thrust into the care of her estranged aunt & her mother’s identical twin. As Mattia grapples with the loss of her mother, a treacherous secret begins to unfold, threatening her life. From beyond the grave, Mattia’s mother possesses her daughter in an attempt not only to protect her from the same fate that befell her but also to find reconciliation with her sister, using food as a gateway.

‍

At 11:30pm on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live.

Divine G (Colman Domingo), imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t  commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men, including wary newcomer (Clarence Maclin), in this stirring true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art, starring an unforgettable ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors.

‍

A contemporary portrait of America, told through a collection of stories observed within the walls of former Pizza Hut buildings across the country.  These nostalgic spaces hold memories of a bygone era, but through the power of transformation, they provide something new and special for the communities that continue to flow through them.

From an LGBTQ+ church in Florida, to a karaoke bar in Texas, to a cannabis dispensary in rural Colorado, these modern-day portraits are paralleled with the origin story of Pizza Hut - one of America's most iconic brands, and the two brothers who founded the company in Wichita, Kansas in 1958.

‍

About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her past.

‍

Filmed during The Teaches of Peaches Anniversary Tour in 2022, this  documentary seamlessly weaves together exclusive archival gems with dynamic tour footage capturing the transformative journey of Canadian Merrill Nisker into the internationally acclaimed cultural powerhouse Peaches.
From the inception of the stage show to the rigorous rehearsal and riveting performances, the film provides an intimate look at the inner workings of a tour led by this beloved and globally celebrated icon. As a feminist musician, producer, director, and performance artist, Peaches has spent over two decades challenging gender stereotypes, solidifying her status alongside pop and music industry icons. Her fearless originality has challenged social norms, dismantled stereotypes, and confronted patriarchal power structures. Through biting wit, she advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights and tackles issues of gender and sexual identity, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

‍

It tells the story of a newly pregnant couple who are forced to take in an ailing, estranged stepmother.

‍

Three ethnic school kids from Sydney's western suburbs form a punk band in the 80s. The Hard-Ons fight racism, the music industry and the rise of grunge with their pop punk noise, irreverent humour and absolute commitment to just being themselves. 'The pricks with the three different skin colours' - Ray Ahn

‍

Anthony Robles, despite being born without a right leg, rises to become a NCAA Division 1 Champion wrestler ultimately winning a national championship against the school that rejected him, national powerhouse Iowa. (Based on the book Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion, by Anthony Robles and Austin Murphy.)

On the last night of 1999, two high school juniors crash a New Years Eve party, only to find themselves fighting for their lives in this dial-up disaster comedy.

A paint-tastic roguelite shooter where you embark on a quest to become the greatest artist in the world and battle famous works of art. The battlefield is your canvas, the enemies are your paint. Literally. Each level you beat becomes a unique work of art that you get to keep.

‍

INDIKA tells the story of a young nun who sets off on a journey of self-discovery with the most unusual companion by her side, the devil himself. Join Studio Head Dmitry Svetlow as he explores alternate 19th-century Russia in this visually captivating and narratively gripping story in one of the most memorable games of the year.

Botany Manor is a first-person puzzle game set in a Victorian English manor. You play as its inhabitant Arabella Greene, a retired botanist. Explore your house and gardens, filled with botanical research, to figure out the ideal habitat for a collection of forgotten flora. Grow each plant to discover the mysterious qualities they hold…

‍

This is a Lovecraftian horror, Point and Click adventure game. Ed broke the curfew to visit his friends in order to find out the truth of his granddaughter's disappearance, but the truth was far more terrible than he thought...

Game Features:
- Black and white hand-painted art, set in the 70s of a parallel universe.
- You have a Keeper with you throughout the game.
- Using your "Awake" to explore the secrets hidden within.
- Illustrations of character or object closeups are used in the conversations. Observe carefully, and you may discover something useful.

‍

Delve into the enchanting world of Tamriel with Rich Lambert, the visionary Game Director behind the critically acclaimed MMORPG, Elder Scrolls Online (ESO). Discover the intricate storytelling, dynamic world-building, and innovative gameplay mechanics that have captivated millions of players worldwide. Gain exclusive insights into the development process of ESO, and learn how the team at ZeniMax Online Studios brings this vast, immersive universe to life.

Join us for an enlightening panel discussion delving into the intricate world of character creation in video games, with a spotlight on how video games can empower the identity of underrepresented groups. From the binary constraints of traditional narratives to the boundless possibilities of inclusive storytelling, our diverse panel of experts will explore the evolving landscape of representation. Dive deep into the challenges, triumphs, and ethical considerations surrounding the portrayal of diverse characters in gaming, as we strive to foster empathy, understanding, and empowerment within virtual worlds. Discover how thoughtful design and narrative choices can pave the way for richer, more authentic gaming experiences for all players.

Dust off your hat, shine up your spurs, and finally justify to yourself why you own those chaps. It’s time to saddle up for an evening of western games at the Cowboy Games Showcase. Banned phrases include: “Rootin’-tootin,” “There’s a snake in my boot” and “It’s really more of a neo-noir with classic western aesthetics

Let your empathy guide you as you play an exciting action-adventure, creature-saver game. Understand and tame the creatures of Ava and let them lead you through a variety of ecosystems – all in the hopes of saving the planet from a life-consuming infection.

‍

Dungeon Inn is a turn-based strategy game in which you run an inn called 'Dungeon Inn' between two guilds that hate each other.

The player takes on the role of 'Sara', the owner of the inn, and has to grow the inn by welcoming adventures from both guilds as guests, while being careful not to reveal the inn's dual business.

Let's try out different gimmicks to attract dungeon-bound adventurers to your inn, solve various problems in and around the inn, and make a fortune without getting caught.

“Who cares if they’re rivals? As long as we don’t get caught!”

‍

Fishbowl is a heartfelt coming of age story told over a month where you unpack puzzles to rediscover childhood memories, video call loved ones, work from home while taking care of yourself and chores, to figure out life one day at a time.

Twenty-one year old Alo gets her first job in a new city and is living by herself while grieving her grandma’s death, the choices she makes each day will lead to a unique journey of self discovery.

‍

Join us at the SXSW Sydney Game and Screen Awards for an evening of entertainment, karaoke, and recognition as we honor the best filmmakers and game developers of 2024. Celebrate the excellence in this year's screen and games program!

Awards Include:

Game
- Best International Game
- Best Student Game
- Best Tabletop Game
- People's Choice Award
- Discovery Award
- Game of the Year

Screen
- Best Feature Film
- Best Short Film
- Best Episodic
- Best Music Video
- Best XR
- Best Student
- Audience Award

‍

Celebrate the launch of SXSW Sydney Games Festival at the Opening Night Party on Wednesday 16 October. Connect with developers, creators and games industry professionals at the iconic Abercrombie.

Welcome to the farm, where the sun is hot, the grass is green, and the horses are waiting for you. But as the sun sets, and shadows creep across the land, the tranquility fades, and the farm's facade begins to crumble. Join solo game developer Andrea Lucco Borlera and Pietro Righi Riva from Italy-based studio Santa Ragione as he traverses one of the most exciting and  bizarre games of the year HORSES.

Chances are, you have one or more relationships with virtual characters in your life today, but perhaps you don’t think of them that way. Teddy Dief - Co-Designer of Hyper Light Drifter & Game Director of We Are OFK, will walk through how virtual identity has progressed since the 1960s across television, music, games, and VTubers. Then they will dive into the meat of how the virtual band OFK was conceived and constructed. The design pillars, techniques, and social priorities of Team OFK as it operated during the creation of the We Are OFK game, and how it continues to operate as a band. Learn how a game may have the opportunity, and the challenges, of virtual characters and parasocial relationship design. Learn how to do it, how you can go horribly wrong, how you can harm people, and how, instead, you may help them.

‘Kusan : City of Wolves’ is a hardcore top-down shooter set in the bloody port city of Asia in the near future.

In Kusan, a light shining in darkness may be the gunfire of your enemies.
In this city, you can become an expert in unarmed combat, daggers, and various weaponry through countless fights and deaths.
Sharpen your skills, invest in them, and let the bodies hit the floor before yours hits first.

Protect the girl. Confront the will of your fallen comrades. You are faster and stronger than any beast in 'Kusan.'

‍

Amidst the ruins of a post-apocalyptic Japan, genetically re-engineered dinosaurs have survived humans and become the dominant species. Ancient primal instincts ignite modern tribal wars, and the ultimate survivors must navigate a world where the balance of power has shifted in ways no one could have foreseen.

Currently, we're starting development on a protype to be a strong narrative driven game. Cineplay is a concept within Floating Rock's vision- where 2 different mediums have strong narratives to stand independently, meanwhile having plot points that overlap, offering different perspectives within the world.

‍

India is the second largest active gaming market in the world. WIth nearly 10 billion gaming app downloads in 2023, India dominates the mobile games market industry. However with the rise of PC and console gaming, creators across India are flourishing in new frontiers of game development. Join speakers from Niku Games, GameChangersIndia and imissmyfriends.studio as they discuss the changing markets in India and the growth of the indie games community.

Join our panel of crowdfunding experts as they discuss how they successfully navigated the complexities of launching, managing, marketing and following through on the promises of crowdfunding campaigns. Learn from the experts across digital and tabletop industries as they share their experiences running successful campaigns.

The Midnighters program encompasses work that delves into dark, eerie, humorous, provocative and controversial territory. Midnighters caters to an audience that seeks out the strange and the unknown, often featuring a curated selection of outsider perspectives and narratives that challenge mainstream conventions. A selection of screenings, hands-on games and commentary sessions, our Thursday night Midnighters Screen Showcase is a special celebration of bold and unconventional media, tailored to those who revel in the unexpected.

Pie in the Sky is an old-school arcade, action game/simulation where you play as an Australian magpie, stealing food, swooping people and completing objectives to cause as much chaos as possible. Dripping with early 2000's aesthetics and charm coupled with more Australian content than you can shake a sauce bottle at, Pie in the Sky is a pick up and play, mischievous and chaotic, avian adventure!

‍

Raw Metal is an upcoming action stealth game which combines a top-down infiltration perspective with third-person beat-em-up combat.  You play as a lone scavenger infiltrating an Orpheus mining facility on the exoplanet Charybdis, stealing whatever you can find. The deeper you dig, however, the darker the corporation’s secrets are revealed to be.  With cues from extraction type games, players risk their gear the deeper they get, however rewards get evermore profitable.

‍

Saddle up for Ricochet Rodeo, a 2D-platform, pvp brawl to see who's the fastest shooter in the pixel-rendered west. Assemble a posse of up to 8 cowboys to dance in chaotic deathmatches where bullets bounce and 1 hit kills.

‍

When Miho steps into the pantry to get a potato for his grandmothers' soup, he's pulled into a distant fantastical land where he must retrace the steps of a mysterious great traveler before him.

He must venture through a world of endless deserts, floating mountains, and talking beasts, outsmarting thieves and meeting quirky characters along the way.

But each time he returns to the kitchen with an ingredient, he finds things have changed in unexpected ways…

‍

Despite record profits and an emerging transmedia boom, the games industry is falling apart. Industry consolidation and the production of projects "too big to fail" has exposed the medium to widespread risk rather than safety--and by all indications, this escalation will only become worse in the coming years. In this talk, Strange Scaffold studio head Xalavier Nelson Jr. (El Paso, Elsewhere, Life Eater, Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator) discusses how he's built a game studio to survive this investment climate--and how attendees are uniquely empowered to do the same with holistic production methodologies and a focus on long-term sustainability.

Join acclaimed actor, developer and game director Abubakar Salim as he explores the universe of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. Inspired by Bantu tales and rich with untold lore of chaos and order, ZAU follows the story of a young shaman who must face three mighty beasts to save his father. Prior to launching his new studio, Surgent Studios, Abubakar lent his voice to lead character Bayek of Siwa in Assassin's Creed: Origins, Eros in Stray Gods and Rokhan in the World of Warcraft franchise. He also appears in the latest season of House of the Dragon as Alyn of Hull.

The Diner at the End of the Galaxy is a resource management game that tasks players with managing a diner in space and navigating the politics of the interstellar factions that frequent the diner. Players must source and grow exotic ingredients, craft dishes, craft diner components from resources, and manage relationships with their clientele. This game combines strategic resource management with diplomacy elements to deliver something mechanically complex and challenging for players, while presenting a unique setting and characters.

A heartfelt story of ambition, struggle, and friendship told from the perspective of a young boy in fictional 90s rural India. Explore ancient palace ruins, set up your garden, cook Indian food, run errands for quirky characters, and learn about your history by making art.

‍

Learn from leading indie publishers as they discuss the latest trends in the games industry.  Participate in focused conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing the ever changing landscape of games publishing. Join leaders from Kwalee, Raw Fury, Santa Ragione, CRITICAL REFLEX and Astra Logical as they deep dive into scouting, selection strategies and their unique publishing methods.

Join us for a silly exploration of bugs and glitches from our detective adventure / dating game ShelfLife: Art School Detective! ShelfLife has been a project long in the making, which means dormant entities lurk in our project files. We will be discussing how ShelfLife: Art School Detective has evolved from "walking simulator" to "queer art school mystery romcom" -- and which forgotten features became vestigial along the way! We'll share insight into our project, exploring how necessary evolution in our game design guided us to a clear vision. What happens when we visit forgotten areas from an ancient prototype? How does our current build cope when we reintroduce deprecated systems? This session will explore the iterative (sometimes chaotic) nature of indie game development.

A cosy-punk slice-of-life narrative sim about managing a struggling record store. Chat to quirky customers with unique tastes, explore a handcrafted record collection, fall in love with bands (and their drama!), or just slack off with your colleagues - all to restore the groove!

Wax Heads is a game with:  

- Gorgeous comic book art style including 50+ hand drawn records and customers
- Punchy, humorous and affectionate dialogue
- An emotional, uplifting narrative about community, mystery and underdog spirit!
- A lovingly handcrafted, immersive musical world with cozy-punk vibes
- Charming puzzle design
- Mini games... and Tamagotchis! 🥚
- Killer original soundtrack

‍

Are you a game developer frustrated by the outdated and cumbersome Australian games classification system? You're not alone. Join industry experts and fellow developers to delve into the intricacies of this challenging framework. Discover the historical reasons behind its complexities and learn practical strategies to navigate and work around its limitations. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and make your development process smoother and more efficient.

87dance are an indie band from Seoul Korea. Having burst onto the K-Indie sphere with their 2019 EP Palchilldance, the outfit have become synonymous with a loft/funk/chill sound unique to themselves. Since their 2022 EP album (Soldout Smile), they’ve reshaped and refined their signature styles, quickly catching attention for singles ‘How can i forget you girl’, ‘Saffron’, ‘Ghosts are bored’, as a result being hand picked by Apple Music as an ‘UP NEXT’ artist alongside strong cosigns from Spotify’s Fresh Finds curators. 87dance have even caught the ear of Min Hee Jin, CEO of New Jeans’ label ADOR.  Visually striking, the band are a mash of eclectic styles ranging from football streetwear all the way to vintage fittings and has previously collaborated with Fred Perry amongst a range of other brands. Fresh off of touring their 2023 debut full length across Asia, 87dance looks to expand their horizons with a slew of new music slated for 2024.

‍

Performance in all its forms has always been intrinsic in Ayesha Madon’s life, from learning drums and piano in her early teens, through to her starring role in Netflix’s smash series Heartbreak High (currently #4 on Netflix globally), to building a full recording studio in her Grandma’s garage in the suburbs of  Sydney the day she finished shooting Season 2. She can’t help herself.  For the rising creative, music and songwriting remain at the fore of her creative output as she strives for humility and grit in all aspects of her work. A deep consideration for authentic storytelling and humility and a natural ability to keep it real is how Madon continues to captivate in whatever medium she harnesses.

BALTHVS, the Bogota, Colombia based psychedelic funk trio was formed in the countryside while the group waited out the 2020 pandemic. The band was  escaping the city during uncertain times and according to Balthazar Aguirre,  “we wanted the music to meld with the peaceful environment surrounding us at that moment.” Alongside Aguirre (guitar, vocals), the band consists of Johanna Mercuriana (bass, vocals) and Santiago Lizcano (drums, vocals). Their genre-defying sound blends cumbia, surf rock, funk, and Turkish  musical influences. The music is comprised of lyrics in English, Spanish and  plenty of instrumentals that meld mysticism and psychedelics. “Colombia is  very psychedelic, there’s plenty of availability and a lot of traditional  medicine involving entheogens and plant medicine around.” The result is a captivating sonic tapestry that transcends conventional boundaries, captivating listeners with its multifaceted influences. Known for their dynamic and electrifying live performances, BALTHVS has become synonymous with energetic shows and captivating improvisations. Since  their inception, the band has embarked on a prolific creative journey,  releasing an impressive catalog featuring over 34 singles and 3 full-length albums. Their music has resonated globally, amassing over 6.8 million streams worldwide, establishing BALTHVS as a formidable presence in the music  industry. While BALTHVS has conquered their home turf, gracing the stage at Colombia’s largest music festival, Rock al Parque, they have also taken their  infectious sound to international audiences. With three performances at SXSW  in Austin, TX, a successful U.S. tour, and a triumphant inaugural European  tour in 2024, the band is poised for even greater heights with a new  full-length LP set to release on Mixto Records in the fall. Eager to continue  their sonic exploration, BALTHVS is set to enchant audiences worldwide with  their innovative and boundary-pushing approach to music.

Ixaras is a queer Indie Pop Rock artist & songwriter raised in Meanjin Brisbane who champions her self expression through the art of music and self-run, DIY live gigs. 2023 was a huge break onto the scene for ixaras with a slot as triple j unearthed high finalist, BIGSOUND, debut festival at Valley Fiesta (alongside Mallrat, Midlife, Miss Kannina) and release of her track 'sprouts', which now has 250K purely organic streams.

Alongside her melodic ear worms and incredibly thought provoking lyrics about the complexities of growing up and young love, Ixara emulates youth, inclusivity and accessibility with her all-ages, DIY gig company ‘Anti-Dismal’. In 2023, Ixara’s live show and Anti-Dismal were taken to new heights where she put on multiple sold-out shows across Brisbane where not a phone was in sight.

‍

I'mdifficult is an experimental pop band formed in late 2018, consisting of Ernest (Vocals, Keyboards), Dotzio (Vocals, Synths), Eason (Vocals, Guitars), and Jason (Drums). Their music blends various styles and languages, reflecting the members' diverse backgrounds growing up between Taiwan and the USA.

Their 2021 EP '25' achieved significant success, with over 2 million Spotify plays and reaching 23rd on the Spotify Taiwanese charts. Their latest debut self-titled album, "I'mdifficult", released in the fall of 2023, delivered a mature and cinematic soundscape, which some critics described as “sophisticated pop”. Their innovative approach to pop had also inspired their one-of-a-kind live performances."

‍

NT bruthas J-MILLA and Yung Milla forged their own paths to fame, from the lean streets of Darwin’s southern suburbs to the heights of Milla-mania on remote communities across the country. Now, for the first time, the two Marranunggu rap kings meet at the crossroads for an explosive alliance of rhyme, dance and style. Happy Mag calls J-MILLA “a dominant force in hip hop”. triple j calls Yung Milla “hot shit”. We’re calling SAME BLOOD the hip hop party of the year.

A seductive melancholy defines ODIWAMS (onedayitwillallmakesense), the extraordinary debut EP of Sydney artist Maina Doe. The musician reconfigures the experimental and elegaic sounds of R&Band soul, transforming them into something entirely her own. ODIWAMS is characterised by its duality of lightness and darkness, its evocations of dueling feelings such as hedonism, solitude, and serenity. “It’s my music buffet, take what you can from it,” says Maina Doe.

So many styles and stories stretch across the six tracks that make up ODIWAMS. “I have always wanted to make music that comes from many angles and perspectives. This EP realised itself very organically when I was writing it,”Maina Doe says. In moments, Maina Doe chronicles the pleasures and pains of urban life - its euphoria, its connections, its disappointments, its alienations.In other instances, she longs for a simpler existence, solace sketched in beautiful shades of brooding electronica. For instance, on EP opener “Hello”she meshes her transcendent vocals with a bunch of diverse field recordings -taken from travels, shows, and intimate conversations.

“It’s not always easy for me to be vulnerable. So some of the more vulnerable moments are a little hard for me to grip with, knowing that a bunch of strangers are going to know me like that. The most challenging and rewarding part of this is accepting that I don’t have a choice – the music will push and continue to be made and I have to allow myself to be heard and seen and felt” says Maina Doe. Produced with Finbar Stuart, 18YOMAN, LEN20 and UNOStereo, the EP balances ambient tones with electronic futurism, crafting a singular sound of sprawling R&’B that contains dreamy, eerie undercurrents. The EP’s lead single “Maybe” embodies this, a buoyant but unvarnished look at how we can be drawn to facades and mislead one another. “Maybe we blinded or short on some guidance/I don’t know what it is I stay in my business, we all got our reasons” Maina Doe sings.

Instead of confining oneself to these restrictive characters, she advocates for authenticity, while also admitting that fallinginto the traps of status and appearances is a part of

everyday life. “Don’t Worry Bout Me” expands Maina Doe’s explorations of independence and individuality. On the second half of the EP, Maina Doe narrates the tough but ultimately cathartic experience of moving through troubling emotions. The spellbinding “Witness” sees Maina Doe travel through humility, anger, and beauty, emerging with a new sense of self-possession (“You gotta listen, they’ll never get it”). This floats onto “Damnnnn” an intricate and beautiful rumination on overcoming heartbreak. She finishes with album closer “Lucid Dreams” a dreamy, infectious song about shaking off of vanity and embracing forgiveness. “I hope this record makes people feel closer to themselves, their convictions, and me,” says Maina Doe.

Since 2019, Maina Doe has been lauded for her singles, receiving support from BBC Radio,

Vice, Notion, Soulection, Rinse FM and Vogue, among others.She has performed support slots for the likes of Masego, Winston Surfshirt, and Tkay Maidza. Last year, she made her headline debut at a sold-out show at the Sydney Opera House for festival VIVID LIVE."

A multi-talented artist, Nick Ward emerged with his brand of bedroom pop on triple Unearthed, releasing multiple tracks and refining his sound across debut EP ‘Everything I Wish I Told You’. Then came 2022’s ‘Brand New You’ about which NME raved: “…a tightrope balance of bravado and self-doubt… few can make it as relatable, redemptive and hopeful”. After a successful headline tour in 2022, Nick was recently named the Ticketmaster 2023 Breakthrough Artist, a well-deserved recognition that showcases his exceptional talent and potential in the industry. Ward is also a part of the Sydney musical collective Full Circle, which brings together young creatives, including fellow artists FRIDAY*, SOLLYY, Dylan Atlantis, Breakfast Road, and Zion Garcia, who collaborate to push the boundaries of the pop music experience. From starting as a triple j Unearthed high finalist in 2019, Nick has attracted the attention of local and international tastemakers, press alike, including V Man, SideNote, PAPER, GQ, Wonderland, Notion, 10 Magazine, NME, Junkee, and more.

Phoebe Rings is a 4-piece dream-pop band from Auckland, New Zealand led by songwriter Crystal Choi.

In 2020, their first dreamy single "Cheshire" became one of BFM's most played tracks of the year and made number 1 on various student radio stations and alternative charts. This was soon followed up by the self-titled EP, 5 tracks showcasing a broad sonic palate, combing brush strokes of avant-pop, shoegaze, city pop and jazz.

Amidst tours, festivals and notable support slots, the band has kept busy, self recording their next instalment of luscious tunes co-written by all members of the band - Alex Freer (A.C Freezy), Simon Kavanagh-Vincent (Lucky Boy) and Ben Locke (Sea Views).

The first of these, 아스라이 (Aseurai) was released in November 2023 and quickly picked up by Rolling Stones - Songs You Need To Know. Their latest single Mandarin Tree, recently charted on Hot 20 NZ Singles and has become a beloved hit across the student radio stations of Aotearoa.

‍

RINSE, the solo project of Melbourne-based artist Joe Agius, is best known as a member, producer, and co-writer of Hatchie. In RINSE, Agius takes center stage, presenting meticulously written pop songs dressed with dream-pop instrumentation and 80s post-punk drums, likening them to the golden era of The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, and Echo and the Bunnymen.

Following up on previous EPs ‘Sinkerº’ and ‘Wherever I Am’, which included ‘Back Into Your Arms’, a single featuring Hatchie, RINSE saw widespread recognition across college radio in the US, as well as on KEXP, and received high praise from Stereogum, NPR, and The Fader, following previous collaborations with Jorge Elbrecht (Japanese Breakfast, Wild Nothing, Sky Ferreira).

In 2024, RINSE announces its signing to Melbourne-based label Cohort (Juice Webster, Mimi Gilbert, Geography) and has released two new songs 'Kiss Me (Kill), featuring Hatchie and 'Stranger' songs packed with nostalgia and lush shoegaze guitars.

‍

Australian singer-songwriter SAHXL released his debut EP, COME THRU, in late 2023 and is gearing up to release his follow up in May off the back of his latest single documenting a tale of heartbreak, “Negligent”.

‍

SAHXL has big intentions: “I have one goal— to introduce the world to the new sounds of R&B coming out of Australia,” he says. “I’m not just doing this for myself; I’m doing this for the people around me too.” It’s safe to say he’s well on his way. The Sydney-based artist started making music as a 14-year-old as a form of emotional release, and eventually put his music on SoundCloud, catching the attention of local producers. He has released a number of singles, has been included in Apple Music’s Up Next Local series, and has been shouted out by radio personality Ebro Darden and fellow Australian musician The Kid LAROI.

‍

Last year, he became the first Australian artist to sign with Def Jam. COME THRU offers a captivating introduction to SAHXL’s sound, storytelling ability, and impressive emotional range. The project is a vivid, vulnerable collection of songs following the arc of a romantic relationship from start to finish. The project positions SAHXL as a wise storyteller in touch with his trickiest and most unpleasant emotions, as well as an adept producer and composer capable of wordlessly conveying yearning, remorse, and anger through his instrumental arrangements.

"Voice of Baceprot (VoB) consisting of Widi (bass), Siti (drums) and Marsya (guitar & vocals). The trio first met in 2014 when they were still junior high school students in their hometown in Singajaya, a small village in Garut (West Java) eight-hour land trip from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Their teacher (Abah Erza) who introduced & taught them the instruments was also the one behind the name Voice of Baceprot. "Baceprot" means noisy in their native Sundanese language and it represents the type of music that they play.
VoB firstly garnered prestigious global media attention when the video of them performing their own song "The Enemy of Earth Is You" both in local stage and studio stormed the internet in 2017. Since then they have performed in various stages around the globe including Wacken Open Air (2022) and recently at Glastonbury Festival 2024, headlining shows in Bangkok & KL and conducting 2 European Tour (2021 & 2022) and US Tour (2023). Their debut album "Retas" has been selected by Kerrang as one of 50 best metal albums of 2023. Metal Hammer has also selected VoB as the 10 greatest heavy metal power trios and named them as "the metal band the world needs right now"."

‍

Singer-Songwriter ena mori is a walking musical paradox.  Starting her musical journey at a young age as a classical pianist, ena mori uses her dynamic range of different musical influences and creates her own sophisticated pop sound. Her tunes hop with neon-light vibrance, but also bop with lovelorn soul, owing to her Japanese-Filipino pedigree. But whatever hyphenated tag critics and admirers alike choose to append to her material—art-pop, synth-pop, dream-pop—the ena mori crusade is, essentially, one in vigorous defense of pop music making (full stop): a criminally undermined enterprise she’s working not so much to salvage but ravage (full stop), which is to say, in her own words, “I’ve always wanted to write pop that pushes boundaries.

‍

Indie rock four-piece smol fish are a band of best friends from Boorloo (Perth), Australia. With earnest lyricism and playful instrumentation, the band explores the lovely and lonesome aspects of being a 20-something navigating the world today. 2024 is looking bright, with an EU/UK tour in April/May, and  a new single ‘If Only’ hitting playlists and garnering triple j rotation. Be sure to superglue your socks to your feet, because smol fish are ready to blow them off!

total tommy arrives armed with a boldness that is instantaneous and infectious, both on record and in person. With great depth in her creative range and sonic versatility, comes a quiet confidence of an artist in control. total tommy sounds like the first time you got high, because she broke your heart, and makes you wanna do it all over again. “total tommy started when I moved cities, came out, and spent time properly getting to know myself. Parts of my brain got unlocked that I’d never been able to tap into before, and with that I quickly got to learn a lot about who I was. I partied so much with new queer friends, fell in love, made mistakes, and wrote music to make sense of it all”. total tommy is an artist to experience from the front row with your friends, where she’ll leave nothing on the sidelines with a willingness to share herself and her experiences. For fans of Wet Leg, Ekkstacy, Royel Otis, Alex G