All our partner hotels are located close to the SXSW Sydney precinct, which means you’ll be within walking distance of everything going on across the city.

Once you have purchased your credentials, you will receive a link to our hotel booking platform, Groups360.

SXSW Sydney has partnered with Accor and Groups360 to offer exclusive access to a range of hotels within the SXSW Sydney precinct. Once you purchase your credentials, you will receive a link to the booking platform.

All changes and cancellations are managed via the Groups360 platform. Please refer to your Groups360 booking confirmation email for instructions on how to request any changes.

South By Southwest dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW Sydney is heading out of America for the first time to Sydney, Australia. The harbour city will host a collision of creativity and culture for changemakers near and far.

Held across 7 days and 7 nights from October 15-22, 2023 — you’ll see the convergence of innovation, music, screen, tech, games and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, SXSW Sydney features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities – proving that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together.

SXSW Sydney acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land where the event will take place. Representation is important to us and with the guidance of local Traditional Custodians, we are working to ensure the event recognises and respectfully upholds inclusive cultural protocols.

Our program is still being developed and will offer a diverse range of topics, people, and ideas – particularly alongside First Nations creators, entrepreneurs and beyond. After all, we know when these worlds collide, the most wonderful experiences emerge.

Bringing together inspired thinkers, creators and innovators in Tech & Innovation, Games, Music and Screen from across the world – SXSW Sydney will host a series of festivals, a conference and an expo, parties and more. Anything from 1:1 mentoring workshops to keynote speakers, interactive panels to networking lounges, film screenings to live music performances, tech demos to art installations, and of course – plenty of surprises.

SXSW Sydney is an extension of the Austin event (and the first time the festival’s leaving home soil), delivering a program and experience that honours the original spirit while bringing Sydney’s own unique flair. As the gateway to Asia-Pacific, expect a whole host of innovation and creativity from the region that you won’t find anywhere else, plus Sydney’s harbourside view and sunny-side attitude! The event will take place across one week – so we’ll be packing a mighty punch. If you’re a SXSW maestro, you’ll notice some of our event formats and badge structures have been tweaked, and for our inaugural event, we won’t be including SXSW Edu. And while Tech and Innovation will still be major driving forces within the SXSW Sydney event, they won’t sit under the “SXSW Sydney Interactive” banner.

The SXSW Sydney website at www.sxswsydney.com is your first stop for information on the event, including news, the event’s history, and detailed information on the conference, festivals, and exhibitions. Check out the website footer to sign-up for our newsletters – you’ll be the first to know about any important updates about the event. For fresh content and highlights, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin under “@SXSWsydney”.

The SXSW Sydney Conference will discuss all things Tech & Innovation, Games, Music and Screen through multiple tracks. Each track has been designed for the SXSW Sydney community to experience the latest in forward-thinking ideas within their industry, and unlock the unexpected discoveries made possible when a diverse range of topics converge on stage.

Head to our Conference page for a breakdown of each of the 18 tracks we’ll explore during SXSW Sydney 2023.

Unless specific age restrictions are stated in the SXSW Online Schedule, all SXSW Conference and Festival programming may be attended by properly credentialed persons above the age of 13.

Children 12 years of age or younger may attend if accompanied at all times by a properly credentialed adult.

Adults accompanied by children should respect the right of all attendees to participate in SXSW without disruption and without concern for the safety of children. Adults concerned about age admission policies and age-appropriateness of specific programming should use common sense and rely on the online schedule for guidance.

SXSW attendees are subject to the age restrictions of each venue, including clubs and bars.

SXSW Sydney has built a world-renowned brand across its 35-year history in Austin, TX.

By combining its globally recognised profile with a highlighted focus on the incredible creative strengths of the Asia Pacific region, SXSW Sydney reserves a newly rejuvenated position on the global major events calendar; as 2023’s must-attend city conference for discovery by creators and innovators worldwide.

No, SXSW Sydney 2023 will be a completely live event.

SXSW Sydney is about discovery, networking and fun – all within a walkable footprint across Sydney’s CBD and surrounding neighbourhoods. From Haymarket, Darling Harbour, Ultimo, to Chippendale and beyond – the city’s best museums, cinemas, parks, bars and restaurants will transform into a vibrant interconnected hub of future-focused ideas, parties, unique events and networking opportunities to uncover on every street corner.

Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our community. To ensure that we keep everyone as safe as is reasonably possible, SXSW Sydney will adhere to health regulations and COVID Safety protocols that are in place at the time of the event. These requirements may change based on advice from NSW Health, so please be sure to visit this page for the latest information.

A SXSW Sydney badge will grant you access to groundbreaking events, and a chance to connect with some of the world’s leading thinkers, performers and industry professionals. It’s your ticket into our Conference, Expo, Festivals, Networking sessions and more, with each badge type giving you varying degrees of access.

Each Badge gives you different levels of access at SXSW Sydney. A Platinum Badge is the best way to experience everything, giving you primary access to all events, including exclusive VIP experiences. Industry Badges are designed to prioritise access to industry-specific events, networking sessions and festivals. Both Platinum and Industry Badge holders get first pick of our partner hotels at a discounted rate too!

To enquire about group bookings please email info@sxswsydney.com

Throughout SXSW Sydney, some events will be busy and reach capacity quickly – so each will have a Primary and Secondary line to manage crowds. If you want primary access for every event – the Platinum badge is the way to go. Industry badges will get you primary access to all of the events specifically relating to your industry, and secondary access to everything else. There’ll be hundreds of exciting events to join with any badge, so you’ll have endless opportunities to get inspired, meet new people and discover the unexpected.

There will be three phases of badge sales for SXSW Sydney 2023: early bird, on-sale and walk-up. Each phase is subject to a price increase, so the sooner you register, the more you will save. Check out our badges page to find the right one for your SXSW Sydney experience.

There’ll be plenty of opportunities to grab individual tickets to specific events you’d like to attend, or our last minute walk-up Badge. Stay tuned for these releases closer to the full program announcement.

You will need your credential confirmation email that will be emailed to you closer to the event, along with valid photo ID. If you have any enquiries relating to your credential purchase, please contact us here.

Information about our policies regarding refunds and use of credentials can be found here in our terms and conditions. Please make sure to read and understand these before making any purchases.

SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival welcomes applications from a range of emerging and established screen talent, both local and international. Submissions are now open – please see our ‘Participate’ page.

You can submit proposals for panels, solo presentations, workshops and more across multiple Tracks of programming via our platform, Session Select.

It’s a place where we can connect with a vast number of creative professionals, experienced experts and informed consumers to contribute their valuable ideas from around the world.

For more info, visit our SXSW Sydney Session Select page.

To find out more information about how you can get involved in the Expo, please complete the form here, and our team will get in touch.

SXSW Sydney Music Festival welcomes applications from a range of emerging and established talent, both local and international. Submissions are now open – please see our ‘Participate’ page.

The SXSW Sydney Conference will discuss all things Tech & Innovation, Games, Music and Screen through multiple tracks. Each track has been designed for the SXSW Sydney community to experience the latest in forward-thinking ideas within their industry, and unlock the unexpected discoveries made possible when a diverse range of topics converge on stage.

Head to our Conference page for a breakdown of each of the 18 tracks we’ll explore during SXSW Sydney 2023.

A core part of the SXSW Sydney event is its Conference. It will take place in multiple venues including ICC Sydney, UTS, The Powerhouse Museum and more – and will feature more than 400 keynotes, presentations, panels, workshops and mentor sessions with inspiring thinkers and leaders from around the world.

SXSW Sydney Music Festival welcomes applications from a range of emerging and established talent, both local and international. Submissions are now open – please see our ‘Participate’ page.

The SXSW Sydney Music Festival offers a chance for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work, performing in front of industry reps, media, thousands of fans and fellow musicians from across the globe. No matter the genre, if you’re signed or unsigned, solo or part of a group, SXSW Sydney Music Festival offers artists the opportunity to enhance their careers with unparalleled access to industry leaders.

Taking place from 18 – 21 October 2023, the SXSW Sydney Music Festival will span across 40 iconic venues amongst the event precinct and neighbouring suburbs in Sydney, Australia.

The SXSW Sydney Music Festival will showcase:

• All music genres
• Artists from around the world
• Signed and unsigned artists
• Solo artists and musical groups
• Emerging and established artists

Music showcase submissions open on Wednesday, 18 January 2023. Visit the Music Festival Showcase submission page for more information and to apply.

Additional Details: If selected to showcase, artists and/or members of performing acts will receive SXSW Sydney 2023 Artist Accreditation. Artist Accreditation grants access to official SXSW Sydney music showcases, conference programming, parties, artist specific activations, networking opportunities and more (unless otherwise noted). Some acts may be scheduled for more than one official showcase. Foreign, non-Australian performers are responsible for securing their own visas for entry into Australia.

Invited artists do not need to purchase a SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Badge to apply for or to perform at a SXSW Sydney 2023 showcase. Artists who are not selected to perform will be able to purchase SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Badges at the lowest available rate after notification of status, if they choose to do so. There are no refunds if you purchase a registration at a higher rate or decide not to attend if you are not offered a showcase.

The person listed as Primary Contact in your SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival Showcase submission should be authorised to respond on behalf of the act applying and frequently checks their email. Notifications from SXSW Sydney will be sent to the Primary Contact email address and will require timely responses.

You will receive a confirmation email from SXSW Sydney within 24 hours of submission to let you know that your submission has been received. If you do not receive notification within 24 hours, please email musicfest@sxswsydney.com to ensure your submission has been received and is under consideration.

To keep important SXSW Sydney emails from landing in your spam folder, add the following address to your contact list: musicfest@sxswsydney.com.

The SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival programming team listens to and evaluates artist submissions according to originality, technical ability, song-writing skills, career establishment, export readiness and overall artistry. Every submission is reviewed and evaluated by multiple parties, then invitations are extended to those selected to perform. As SXSW Sydney anticipates a large number of submissions, it is unfortunately not possible to invite and accommodate every great act who applies.

For the inaugural event, SXSW Sydney will offer showcasing artists the choice of an Artist Wristband for each performing member of the artist and its management representative (limited to one manager per artist) or a one-off payment of AUD$350 (regardless of how many showcases it performs). The Artist Wristband provides access to the SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival and Conference as well as the Young Henrys Artist Lounge.

An administration fee of AUD$55 per artist submission applies.

The SXSW Sydney Artist accreditation provides you with the opportunity to make the most of SXSW Sydney 2023 by providing the same access as a Music badge as well as access to the offical SXSW Sydney 2023 artists lounge.

Enjoy primary access to:

• Conference Keynotes
• Conference Panels and Featured Sessions
• SXSW Sydney Tech & Innovation Expo
• Music Festival Shows and Events
• Music Industry Workshops and Mentor Sessions
• Music Industry Meet-ups, Networking Events and Parties
• Music Industry Showcases, Launches and Exclusive Events

And secondary access to all other activities across the week, including:

• Tech Industry Meet-ups, Networking Events and Parties
• Tech Industry Showcases, Launches and Exclusive Events
• Startup Pitch
• Games Ex
• Games Festival
• Games Industry Meet-ups, Networking Events and Parties
• Games Industry Showcases, Launches and Exclusive Events
• Screen Festival Screenings and Events
• Screen Festival Exclusive Premieres
• Screen Industry Meet-ups, Networking Events and Parties
• Screen Industry Showcases, Launches and Exclusive Events

Opportunities for performers do not stop at showcases. The SXSW Sydney Conference offers informative panels, mentor sessions, artist and industry leader interviews, attendee lounges and parties, endless opportunities to network, and more. As a Music Festival Showcase applicant, if you are not offered a showcase, you can purchase a SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Badge at the lowest rate and access the many benefits of SXSW Sydney 2023. Email musicfest@sxswsydney.com for questions.

We recommend booking your hotel rooms as soon as you receive your acceptance. Making your hotel arrangements early will allow you the most hotel selections.

A submission is a request to be considered for an official showcase performance slot at the SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival. A SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Badge is a credential that allows the holder to attend SXSW Sydney 2023 events. Artists do not need to purchase a SXSW Sydney badge to make a showcase application. All applying artists, whether accepted to showcase or not, will be able to buy a SXSW Sydney badge to attend SXSW Sydney 2023 at the lowest rate after notification of status, if they choose to do so. If you buy a badge at a higher rate or decide not to attend if you are not offered a showcase, refunds are not available.

An administration fee of $55 per submission applies.

• Submission Open: 09:00AM AEDT, Wednesday 18 January 2023.
• Final Deadline: 11.59PM AEDT, Sunday 14 May 2023.

You must submit a link to your project at the time of making your submission. Please send your project in its most complete and finished form. SXSW Sydney cannot accept cuts of more complete versions after your submission has been made; we will only review the version you submitted first as part of your completed application.

As a SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival applicant, if you are not offered a showcase, you will then be given the opportunity to purchase a SXSW Sydney 2023 Badge at the lowest rate and access the many benefits of SXSW Sydney.

From feature premieres to short films, music videos and episodics, XR and AR projects and everything in between – the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival will be a game changer for filmmakers and screen creatives. Hosting a range of screenings, panels and events with leading industry experts, this is an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of discovery, creativity, and innovation.

The SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival takes place 15-22 October 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

SXSW Sydney Screen Festival will showcase:

• Features – Narrative and Documentary (40 mins or above)
• Episodic / TV
• Shorts films (less than 40 mins)
• Music videos (less than 10 mins)
• XR experiences

The premiere status of your submission is an important factor. However, it is not absolute. All things being equal, a higher premiere status will get the spot. Premiere requirements will vary by screening section.

SXSW Sydney recognises the following premiere statuses:

World Premiere: your submission has never screened before, online or at a physical festival or cinema.
Australian Premiere: your submission has* screened outside of Australia.
Sydney / NSW Premiere: your submission has* screened in Australia, but not in Sydney or the State of NSW in Australia.
Not a premiere: your submission has* screened in Sydney or the State of NSW in Australia.

*Already has or will have by October 2023.

SXSW Sydney does not place any restrictions on the premiere status of music videos. We recognise that the vast majority of music videos screened at SXSW Sydney 2023 will have premiered online prior to the festival.

It’s important to note that only OFFICIAL ARTIST APPROVED music videos are eligible for SXSW Sydney, meaning that the music video should be the official music video for that song by that artist, that is, the artist and/or label commissioned the video and have approved the creation. SXSW Sydney will require proof of approval if your music video is selected.

Entries for the SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival open on 18 January 2023. SXSW Sydney only accepts submissions via our website – you can start the submission process here.

SXSW Sydney requires all projects to be submitted digitally, via URL link. If you change this link without contacting SXSW Sydney, your submission may become ineligible for consideration.

• Your submission link must be to a secure, online version of your film via an external site (i.e. your own website, Vimeo, etc.) and must be working before you submit your application.
• If you submit a project which contains dialogue in a language other than English, please include English subtitles.
• Please do not send physical copies (e.g. DVD, Blu-Ray) as physical media will not be considered.

For more information visit our SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival submissions page. Once you’ve read through that information, submit your film or project!

• Feature Film: over 40 mins.
• Episodic/TV: no time restrictions on Episodic submissions.
• Short Film: under 40 mins.
• Music video: must be under 10 minutes in length.
• XR Experience: no time restrictions.

• Submission Open: 09:00AM AEDT, Wednesday 18 January 2023.
• Final Deadline: 11.59PM AEDT, Sunday 14 May 2023.

You must submit a link to your project at the time of making your submission. Please send your project in its most complete and finished form. SXSW Sydney cannot accept cuts of more complete versions after your submission has been made; we will only review the version you submitted first as part of your completed application.

The premiere status of your submission is an important factor. However, it is not absolute. All things being equal, a higher premiere status will get the spot. Premiere requirements will vary by screening section.

SXSW Sydney recognises the following premiere statuses:

• World Premiere: your submission has never screened before, online or at a physical festival or cinema.
• Australian Premiere: your submission has* screened outside of Australia.
• Sydney / NSW Premiere: your submission has* screened in Australia, but not in Sydney or the State of NSW in Australia.
• Not a premiere: your submission has* screened in Sydney or the State of NSW in Australia.

*Already has or will have by October 2023.

SXSW Sydney does not place any restrictions on the premiere status of music videos. We recognise that the vast majority of music videos screened at SXSW Sydney 2023 will have premiered online prior to the festival.

It’s important to note that only OFFICIAL ARTIST APPROVED music videos are eligible for SXSW Sydney, meaning that the music video should be the official music video for that song by that artist, that is, the artist and/or label commissioned the video and have approved the creation. SXSW Sydney will require proof of approval if your music video is selected.

• Features: $95.00, including GST
• Shorts / Music Videos / XR / Episodic: $55.00, including GST

Unfortunately not.

Information about our policies regarding refunds and use of credentials can be found here in our terms and conditions. Please make sure to read and understand these before making any purchases.

No. SXSW Sydney cannot accept any materials regarding submissions outside of the official SXSW Sydney Screen Festival submissions platform. Unfortunately, we receive too many submissions to accept stills, trailers, EPKs or other assets. Additionally, our audience will only be seeing your project, so our team makes its programming decisions based on the work itself.

Aligning with our goal to make SXSW Sydney a green event, we also request that you do not send any physical media kits, photos or any other extraneous material.

You will receive three emails from SXSW Sydney after successfully making your submission:

1. Receipt for your SXSW Sydney Screen Festival submission fee.
2. Submission confirmation — email confirmation that SXSW Sydney has received your submission within 24 hours of you making it through our Screen Festival submissions portal. If you do not receive this within 24 hours, please email screenfest@sxswsydney.com to ensure your submission has been received and is under consideration.
3. Screen Festival decision — it takes several months for the SXSW Sydney programming team to finalise the selection process. SXSW Sydney will send notifications beginning mid 2023. All applicants will be informed of their submissions’ status no later than 1 Sept, 2023.

A submission is a request to be considered for a screening slot at the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival. A Screen Badge is a credential that allows the holder to attend SXSW Sydney events.

You do not need to purchase a badge to make a Screen Festival submission. All Screen Festival applications, whether their submissions are accepted or not, will be able to buy a badge to attend SXSW Sydney at the lowest rate after notification of status, if they choose to do so. If you buy a badge at a higher rate or decide not to attend if you are not offered a showcase, refunds are not available.

We will require a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) file for exhibition playback at all SXSW Sydney Screen Festival events. A backup format may be required in addition to the DCP. You can email screenfest@sxswsydney.com for further questions concerning exhibition playback.

All XR Experiences accepted as part of the festival may be required to provide their preferred supported devices and additional technical support for the duration of the exhibition during SXSW Sydney 2023. Please email screenfest@sxswsydney.com if you have any further questions.

No. SXSW Sydney provides a limited number of complimentary SXSW Sydney Screen badges for applicants whose projects are accepted into the SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival. Successful applicants must cover their own travel and accommodation costs and will not be compensated monetarily.

Opportunities for filmmakers and screen creatives do not stop at screenings. The SXSW Sydney 2023 Conference offers informative panels, mentor sessions, artist and industry leader interviews, attendee lounges and parties, endless opportunities to network, and more. As a SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival applicant, if you are not offered a showcase, you can purchase a SXSW Sydney 2023 Badge at the lowest rate and access the many benefits of SXSW Sydney.
Email screenfest@sxswsydney.com for questions.

If selected for the SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen festival, each film will receive two SXSW Sydney Filmmaker Accreditations.
Each successful team also has an option to purchase additional discounted SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen badges at the early bird price.

The SXSW Sydney 2023 Filmmaker accreditation provides you with the opportunity to make the most of SXSW Sydney 2023 by providing the same access as a SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen badge PLUS access to the offical SXSW Sydney filmmakers lounge.

Enjoy primary access to:

• Conference Keynotes
• Conference Panels and Featured Sessions
• SXSW Sydney Tech & Innovation Expo
• Screen Festival Screenings and Events
• Screen Festival Exclusive Premieres
• Screen Industry Workshops and Mentor Sessions
• Screen Industry Meet-ups, Networking Events and Parties
• Screen Industry Showcases, Launches and Exclusive Events

And secondary access to all other activities across the week, including:

• Tech Industry Meet-ups, Networking Events and Parties
• Tech Industry Showcases, Launches and Exclusive Events
• Startup Pitch
• Games Ex
• Games Festival
• Games Industry Meet-ups, Networking Events and Parties
• Games Industry Showcases, Launches and Exclusive Events
• Music Festival Shows and Events
• Music Industry Meet-ups, Networking Events and Parties
• Music Industry Showcases, Launches and Exclusive Events

We recommend booking your hotel rooms as soon as you receive your acceptance.

Please send your film in the most complete and finished form possible. While SXSW Sydney does accept work-in progress cuts, we will not consider more complete versions after your application has been submitted. Note that work-in-progress cuts must be at picture lock; temporary sound or colour is acceptable.

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide a list of incomplete elements, which should include detail on the state of your work’s colour-correction, sound mix, special effects, etc.

To reiterate: SXSW Sydney will only review the first submitted cut. Please do not submit trailers, screenplays, press kits, or anything else in lieu of a completed (or near-completed) film.

Session Select is a session proposal platform that gives the SXSW Sydney 2023 community a significant voice in programming conference activities (presentations, panels, discussions, talks etc.) for the SXSW Sydney Conference. Prospective speakers submit their session ideas to Session Select, then the community, our independent industry evaluators and SXSW Sydney staff choose the best proposals.

Session Select is SXSW Sydney’s version of SXSW PanelPicker®. which is an important part of the annual SXSW event in Austin, TX.

Submissions for SXSW Sydney 2023 Session Select are currently closed. Stay tuned for public voting and future announcements.

Submissions for SXSW Sydney 2023 Session Select are currently closed. 

Please note that we are unable to receive proposals after the deadline.

Public voting will commence soon after the closing of submissions. We will update these FAQs and the SXSW Sydney 2023 Session Select site with further information soon.

A combination of public voting, feedback from the SXSW Sydney’s programming teams and independent industry evaluators and advisors are all taken into account.

SXSW Sydney 2023 Session Select will follow a similar model as SXSW PanelPicker® selection process.

The Primary Contact is considered the session organiser for this idea and will be listed in the Session Select public interface as such. They are the person ultimately responsible for turning the proposal into a reality.

All SXSW Sydney 2023 communications will go through the Primary Contact and they are responsible for communicating this information to their speakers (if applicable).

The Primary Contact can also be a speaker on the session they are organising, but do not necessarily have to participate directly.

If you will not be organising the session yourself, you should enter the name of the person who will ultimately be responsible for the session in the Primary Contact section. This person will be responsible for every aspect of the proposal if it is chosen to be a part of SXSW Sydney 2023 Conference.

At time of entry, if you are not sure who will be the final Primary Contact, enter your own details – you will have the opportunity to change the Primary Contact if your proposal is accepted.

No. We ask for a lot of information to help SXSW Sydney staff and our evaluators fully evaluate all proposals. However, only a select amount of information about your idea will appear in the public interface.

Your contact information and any contact information you provide for proposed speakers in your proposal will NOT be viewable to the public or during voting processes. The HELP ICON (?) will indicate which contact information is NOT viewable.

• The information below will be viewable in the public interface:
• Primary Contact’s name
• Primary Contact’s website URL
• Primary Contact’s job title / company or organisation
• Names of proposed speakers
• Speakers’ social media profiles / website links
• Session title
• Session description
• Session takeaways
• Speaker biography / title / company or organisation

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

• The more specific a proposal, the better.
• Catchy titles are great, but remember 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 other submissions. Materials you submit become visible
• When the SXSW Sydney 2023 Session Select voting phase begins, so it’s important that you have the right to use anything you include

Session Select is SXSW Sydney’s version of the SXSW PanelPicker®. You can find plenty of ideas and tips online and you can also find a selection of video excerpts from previous SXSW events by visiting the SXSW YouTube Channel.

• SXSW PanelPicker®.
• SXSW YouTube Channel.

SXSW Sydney’s Conference held in 2023 will feature many different session formats. Below are some possible formats you can submit via Session Select.

If you can’t see your format in the drop-down box, that’s okay. Simply specify this in the session description.

All sessions can include audience Q&A and are 60 minutes unless it’s a workshop, meet-up or mentoring session.

Session Formats

• Panel (4 speakers): diverse discussion around a particular topic. Four speakers maximum including a moderator, if applicable. Live podcast recordings can be part of this format. 60 minutes.
• Presentation (1-2 speakers): a prepared presentation, talk, interview, conversation or book reading by a recently published author. Live podcast recordings can be part of this format. 60 minutes.
• Workshop (1-2 speakers): deep dive sessions with more hands-on learning activities and specific takeaways for professional growth and development. 60-120 minutes.
• Meet-up (1-2 hosts): networking event of like-minded attendees around a particular topic. 60-120 minutes.
• Mentor Session (1-on-1): session with an industry expert. The Mentor counsels each individual attendee for fifteen minutes, meeting with up to five registrants. 75 minutes total. To nominate someone or yourself as a mentor, please make this clear in the session description.

Speaker diversity plays an extremely important role in the decision making process.

The most interesting sessions are ones that include different perspectives. When choosing speakers keep in mind these basic diversity guidelines.

All sessions with three or more speakers should aim to include diversity in gender, ethnicity, stage of career, age, disability, or thought and opinion.

We understand that some sessions work best with full representation of a particular group and will review these on a case by case basis.

The moderator is a neutral party that helps run the session and leads the panel discussion. Having a neutral moderator will help keep your session focused on the proposed topic and will allow for a more balanced presentation. This is strongly recommended to ensure all points of views on a given panel are equally represented.

Ideally, yes. All speakers (and moderator, if applicable) should be confirmed before being added, since the speakers listed on a proposal will have an impact on the selection process. To that end, we ask for a lot of information about each speaker, including contact information and how they can contribute to the session.

Blatantly advertorial content or sales pitches disguised as information is unlikely to progress to the Public Voting stage. We are looking for compelling and balanced content that highlights many solutions to a particular issue.

This is not to say that audiences will not be interested in discovering the latest new media products and services, so if your intention is to introduce your innovative product or service to the SXSW Sydney 2023 audience, contact our sales representatives for information on the many opportunities we offer to companies looking to make an impact on SXSW Sydney 2023 audiences.

For SXSW Sydney 2023 Partnership opportunities, please contact partnerships@sxswsydney.com

On the Session Select platform, you can edit your draft proposal until you click “Submit My Proposal”. All proposals are final after they’ve been entered, meaning you will no longer be able to edit once completed. You can download a PDF to work offline if you wish before filling in the information required on the SXSW Sydney 2023 Session Select platform.

• How can I vote in SXSW Sydney 2023 Session Select?

During the public voting phase all you need to do is create a Session Select account. Your sign-up information remains completely confidential.

• Can I encourage my friends to vote for my proposal, or promote it on my blog or social media?

Yes. Rallying support for your idea can be an important part of the process, but large voting totals do not guarantee acceptance.

• Will SXSW Sydney post the voting totals?

No, we won’t post voting totals because we don’t want to influence anyone’s voting.

If your proposal is accepted, the hard work is just beginning! SXSW Sydney team will reach out to you with more information after the votes are tallied and decisions are made.

The best sessions are the ones in which the organiser has devoted a significant amount of time to the process. As well as providing logistical and schedule information, where necessary we will work with you to refine and polish your idea in the months leading up to SXSW Sydney 2023.

• Accepted Session Select proposals will receive ONE PLATINUM BADGE at SXSW Sydney 2023. This may be used by the Primary Contact or allocated to another speaker in your session; and
• Speakers in your session (up to four individuals maximum), will receive the opportunity to register their interest to receive a complimentary day pass to attend any SXSW Sydney 2023 Conference session. The complimentary day pass will only be valid on the same day as your session or sessions if you are participating in multiple sessions across the SXSW Sydney 2023 event dates; and
• Additionally, speakers in your session (up to four individuals maximum) will receive the opportunity to purchase one Platinum Badge to attend SXSW Sydney 2023 at a special Session Select discounted rate.

Exact details of the above admission to SXSW Sydney 2023 will be communicated to you in 2023.

Yes. At any point through completing your proposal, you can click the ‘Preview’ button at the bottom of the Session Select Application Form. On the ‘My Entries’ dashboard you can also view a PDF version of your entry by clicking the icon on the left.

Session Select is created through Awards Force. If you have used Awards Force before, please login with your previous email and update password if you need to. Otherwise, you can register a new email address.

For any questions, please contact sessionselect@sxswsydney.com

Session Select is a session proposal platform that gives the SXSW Sydney 2023 community a significant voice in programming conference activities (presentations, panels, discussions, talks etc.) for the SXSW Sydney Conference. Prospective speakers submit their session ideas to Session Select, then the community, our independent industry evaluators and SXSW Sydney staff choose the best proposals.

Visit the SXSW Sydney 2023 Session Select page to enter your proposal. Don’t forget to download the PDF to work on your proposal offline. Session Select is SXSW Sydney’s version of SXSW PanelPicker®. which is an important part of the annual SXSW event in Austin, TX.

A combination of public voting, feedback from the SXSW Sydney’s programming teams and independent industry evaluators and advisors are all taken into account. SXSW Sydney 2023 Session Select will follow a similar model as SXSW PanelPicker® selection process.