SXSW Film Conference

"...nine days here is like earning a mini-undergraduate degree in moviemaking... there's real information to be gathered at seminars on everything from Guerilla Filmmaking to SAG Contracts..." -Entertainment Weekly

SXSW Film Panels Schedule

The complete Film panels schedule is now available for viewing. Highlights include Grindhouse 101 w/ Robert Rodriguez, Ready for Prime Time: TV Comedy of Today, and one-on-one conversations with Richard Linklater, Bill Paxton, and Morgan Spurlock.

A big part of every SXSW Festival are the panels held at the Austin Convention Center. Leaders of the film industry meet to discuss the current issues of the business to an audience of badgeholders. There are also one-on-one mentor sessions and mini-meetings to offer even greater insight into select topics.

The panels at SXSW have been hailed as some of the most extensive and educational forums found in a festival setting. The business and art of making films come together in a unique environment only SXSW could provide. Register for your SXSW badge early, and save!

"SXSW has made a name for itself as a premier showcase of new American films, many by emerging directors." indieWIRE, March 2006

One-on-One Mentor Sessions & Mini-Meetings

One-on-One Mentor Sessions

It's always easier when you can put a face to the name. That's the method behind the annual Mentor Sessions at the the SXSW Film Conference. Attendees are invited to sign up for 15-minute sessions with a series of industry experts. It's the perfect opportunity to get some hands-on advice about the film business. It will allow everyone a chance to network, make contacts, and gain practical advice about navigating the film business.

Mini-Meetings

Mini-Meetings are SXSW Film's most intimate and hands-on panel sessions. Come and learn the nuts and bolts of filmmaking, publicity, contracts, and more from a collection of industry experts.

Conversations with SXSW

Conversation with: Peter Bart

Variety chief, Peter Bart, speaks with A.P.'s Christy Lemire during a SXSW Film Panel.

During SXSW it is impossible to be a part of everything that is happening, so a few tidbits from SXSW 2006 have been posted in the Coverage section of the website. Click on the Table of Contents for a list of what is currently available. Here's a taste...

Conversation with: Henry Rollins

Musician, author, actor, iconoclast, stand up/spoken word performer and host of IFC series The Henry Rollins Show, Henry Rollins sat down for a chat with Andy Langer of Esquire, to address his feelings on the current state of the media, pop culture, politics, education, and all the ties that bind them. In this clip he shares his opinions on his music, the war, No Child Left Behind, being a fanboy, and his desire to spank Anne Coulter.

HIGH Quicktime
MED MPEG-4 (best for ipod)
LOW MPEG-4

Film Panel News

Changes to TV Comedy Panel

Due to unforeseen filming schedules, actor Rob Corddry has been forced to drop off the Tuesday afternoon panel, "Ready For Primetime: TV Comedy Today." We apologize for any inconvenience.

Donovan Joins "Music For Film" Roundtable at SXSW Film

Legendary singer/songwriter Donovan, has been added to Sunday morning's "Music For Film Roundtable." Don't miss what is sure to be a fascinating coversation with a diverse group of visionaries!

Hey! Don't Blame Canada!

At SXSW this year, we have not one, not two, but seven features coming to us from the Great White North: Call of the Hummingbird, Everything's Gone Green, Fido, Manufacturing Dissent, Monkey Warfare, Trailer Park Boys, and Who Loves the Sun (pictured above). From documentary to dramatic, from light to dark, these are a terrific batch of new Canadian films that should resonate with audiences anywhere.

Plus, to delve deeper into what issues truly separate the American and Canadian film industries (and the growing dependence on one another), Peter Howell from The Toronto Star will moderate a panel on Tuesday, March 13, entitled "Don't Blame Canada." Be there!

Conversation with producer Elizabeth Avellan on March 12

The SXSW Film Conference is happy too announce the addition of "A Conversation with Elizabeth Avellan," to the SXSW panels lineup, on Monday, March 12, 3-4 p.m. Avellan is the groundbreaking producer of such hit films as SIN CITY, the SPY KIDS trilogy, and ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO. Avellan was also an executive producer on IN AND OUT OF FOCUS, a documentary about balancing motherhood and a career in the film business. In addition, she executive produced SECUESTRO EXPRESS, a topical Venezuelan narrative about the dangerous trend of "express" kidnappings in her home country.

Currently, Avellan is working on Troublemaker's next project, GRINDHOUSE, along with independently producing THE TRUTH IN TERMS OF BEAUTY, an intimate look at the life of photographer Herman Leonard. Join her during a one-on-one discussion about her impressive career, and what the future holds for more groundbreaking productions.

MacFarlane, Mitchell, Paxton, and More Added to Panels!

SXSW has announced a few new additions to the ever-expanding 2007 panels lineup. First up, keep your eyes open this weekend, which is when we'll launch the complete panels schedule, with panelist information and more. But, as a teaser, we're happy to share that:

- Filmmaker John Cameron Mitchell (Shortbus, Hedwig and the Angry Inch) has been added to the March 12 panel session, "Sex Scenes Stay Hard."

- On Tuesday, March 13 at 3 p.m., SXSW will host a panel called "Ready For Primetime: TV Comedy Today." Scheduled for this panel, are Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy), Rob Corddry (Fox's upcoming sitcom The Winner and The Daily Show), Al Jean (The Simpsons), and more.

- On Saturday, March 10 at 11 a.m., Christy Lemire of the Associated Press will host "A Conversation with Bill Paxton," featuring the actor/director/Texan.

- Acclaimed animator Emily Hubley is scheduled to host two multimedia presentations on Tuesday, March 13 and Wednesday, March 14.

SXSW Film Announces Complete Panel Lineup for 2007 Festival:

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2007

A Conversation with Richard Linklater

The State of Non-Profit Film

Better than 1,000 Words: Video on the Web

TV: The Next Generation

Production Companies 2.0: Taking Online Video to the Next Level

Mini-Meeting: Directing Actors

Mentor Sessions: Screenwriters

Finding Funding

New Dogs, New Tricks: New Media Goes to the Movies

Mentor Sessions: Producers

Which Niche is Which?: Reaching the Target Audience

Mini-Meeting: Casting

Long Talks on the Short Form

Mentor Sessions: Sales Agents

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2007

'Lonelygirl15': A Case Study

Finding the Narrative in Docs

A Conversation with Morgan Spurlock

Shooting Docs

Mentor Sessions: Meet the Press

Composing Music for Film

Mentor Sessions: Festival Programmers

Mini-Meeting: So You Want to Be an Entertainment Attorney?

Mini-Meeting: Contracts and Unions

Panel of the Dead: Horror Films of Today

Building a Film Fan Base

Mentor Sessions: Distributors

Mini-Meeting: Music Rights

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2007

Theatrical Acquisitions

Being a Coppola in the "Brookers" Era

When Does User-Generated Video Become Independent Filmmaking?

What Does the Future Hold for Video on the Internet?

Getting to Know the Guilds

Mentor Sessions: Cinematographers

From Script to Screen

The Future of DVDs

Mini-Meeting: Texas Filmmakers Production Fund

Sex Scenes Stay Hard

Tech Tools for Film Artists

Mentor Sessions: Talent Agents

Mini-Meeting: Editing

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007

NALIP Presents "Latin Filmmaking"

Show Me The Money! Consumers Get Paid for Video Content?

Live Machinma

Don't Blame Canada

Docs on Broadband and Mobile: The Dawn of Reverse Distribution

International Documentary Trends

Video Mashups: Please Rolling Stones Don’t Sue Us

Blogging About Film

Comedy Panel

Rock Docs

Stay tuned for more panels, and panelists, to be announced soon!