Biography
Documentary
Drama
Mystery
Sports

Edward Drake

Edward Drake is a screenwriter and director based in Los Angeles. His credits include Lionsgate’s "Knight" trilogy, starring Bruce Willis, Paramount’s "Gasoline Alley," and more. Most recently, Drake wrote and directed "Guns Up," starring Kevin James and Christina Ricci. "The Ascent" is Edward's first documentary.

Scott Veltri, Francis Cronin

Scott Veltri is an Emmy-nominated producer and writer/director. He produced the feature
documentary "Moviepass, Moviecrash" (SXSW 2024) and executive produced docs "One Road to Quartzite" and "Ferrari: Fury and the Monster" (Rome IFF 2025). He also EP'd Gia Coppola's "Mainstream"(Venice 2020), and John Michael McDonaug's "The Forgiven" (TIFF 2021).
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Francis Cronin is a filmmaker and stand-up comedian who has toured with Dana Carvey, Bill
Burr, Taylor Tomlinson, Preacher Lawson, and more. He is a veteran of the Irish Defence
Forces, is weapons trained, and has an Irish Presidential Commission from his time serving in the U.N. Quick Reaction Forces. Most recently, Cronin has opened for Kevin James and Jay Leno.

"The Ascent" is the inspiring true story of Colorado Springs bilateral-amputee climber Mandy Horvath’s record-breaking attempt to crawl to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro on her hands. At 21, Mandy lost both of her legs under mysterious circumstances—an event that shattered her trust in the world around her. As she pushes her body to its limits on Africa’s tallest mountain, Mandy must reckon with the unanswered questions of her past and learn to trust again if she is to succeed.

The Ascent

"The Ascent" is the inspiring true story of Colorado Springs bilateral-amputee climber Mandy Horvath's record-breaking attempt to crawl to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the mysterious circumstances under which she lost her legs at the age of 21.

Edward Drake
Scott Veltri, Francis Cronin

TIME Studios
Loren Hammonds
Kyle Hentschel
Francis Cronin
Yvette
Zhuang
Jasleen Kaur
Ali Samadi

Jasleen Kaur
September Club / Matt Prekop

Mandy Horvath, Julius John White aka 'Whitey', Carel Verhoef, Sally Grierson

Animator: Mike Lloyd, Co-Producer: Jon Schafer, Additional Editing: Kevin Barth, Executive Finishing Producers: Gloria F. Coronado, Ashely Reese, Re-Recording Mixer: Cameron Tracy, Colorist/Online Editor: Christian Navas, CSI, Graphics: COED Studios


Business/Entrepreneurial
Environment
Social Issue

JJ Gerber

JJ Gerber, a two-time Emmy-nominated creative producer and storyteller, has had his work showcased at major festivals worldwide and on leading streaming platforms, often exploring the intersection of popular culture and our evolving world. He is the President of the Seattle Documentary Association, a member of the PGA and the DPA.

Alamo Lamar 6

Dead Eyes

Dir: Richard E. Williams. DOP: Julian Panetta

Mischa Heywood as Lilly - Dir. Richard E. Williams

#Skyking

Health/Disability/Illness
Politics
Social Issues

The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel

Black Zombie

African American
Education
Politics
Social Issue

When Washington state became the first in the world to legalize human composting, entrepreneur Micah Truman puts it all on the line to build the world's first large-scale terramation facility. But when the conventional deathcare industry resists, he is forced to pivot, and must learn to care for the grieving while transforming his business.  Alongside Funeral Directors, Brie Smith and Katey Houston, he begins to understand the double bottom line is the only way to truly profit. What begins as an ambitious venture becomes personal as they rediscover human connection, ritual, and legacy.

The Life We Leave

When Washington legalizes human composting, entrepreneur Micah bets everything on a new vision of deathcare. With funeral directors Brie and Katey, he builds the first large-scale terramation facility, reshaping how we grieve and return to the Earth.

Clementine Briand
Ann Rogers
Melanie Miller
JJ Gerber

Co-Executive Producer: Elisa Bonora, Co-Executive Producer: Paddy McCaughey, Co-Executive Producer: Diane Becker, Co-Producer: Andrew Burton, Co-Producer: Kyle Seago, Supervising Editor: Elisa Bonora, Additional Editor: Joshua Altman, Associate Producer: Madison Horton


Rollins Theatre at the Long Center

Cornbread Mafia

Addiction/Recovery
Legal
Senior/Aging
Social Issue

Action
Biography
Comedy
Crime
Documentary

African American
Books/Literary
Celebrity

Phoenix Jones: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Superhero

Vibrant work filmed in, inspired by, or connected to the Lone Star State.

Forcefield of Love

Dan and Doris both find themselves single in their 70s after their spouses of decades have passed away. After using an online dating service during the pandemic for older singles, they talk on the phone for three months and fall in love before meeting in person. Now living in Austin, Texas, and married for three years, the two wear lavish matching outfits, go out dancing several nights a week, and have an active sexual life rooted in both fantasy and intimacy. With a deep awareness of their mortality guiding their choices, Dan and Doris are not afraid to show up in the world as their true selves, disregarding cultural norms for how older people should look, love, and move through the world.

Doris and Dan’s lives are full of dancing, sex, and other intimate pleasures as they defy traditional expectations of how we can embrace life, death, and aging.

Prewn
Duane Pitre
John Calvin Abney
Diana Burgess
Jonas Goode
Mathew Simonson
Dailey Toliver

Animator: Sarah McCaskill, Colorist: Arthur Garibay

Freedom At Stake

In Texas, new legislation aims to criminalize those who help others access abortion—even across state lines. This film follows a determined network of activists confronting the legal and financial risks of “aiding and abetting” abortion care. In the wake of a critical vote on the ballot, they push back against Prop A and the growing trend of punitive laws, revealing the emotional toll and the grassroots resistance that continues to hold strong in Texas. "Freedom At Stake", shines a light on the resistance to the escalating assault on abortion care and access in small-town Texas—and the sweeping national consequences could follow.

Activists in Texas fight back against Prop A, a measure targeting those who help others seek abortions across state lines. As legal risks grow, so does their determination to protect access and bodily autonomy.

Gabrielle Bird-Vogel
Malia Mailes
Jessica Schwartzman
Jess Jacobs

Karlie Kloss
Phoebe Gates
Nicole Galovski
Carri Twigg
Lauren Cynamon

Assistant Camera: Neil Mayhew, Drone Operators: Edwin Diaz, Ryan Goble, Sound Recordists: Todd Bauer, Alan Chow, Line Producer: Sarada Duvvuri, Story Consultant: Lauren Saffa, Fact Checker: Lola DiNizio, Additional Cinematography: Dan Duran, Derek Howard, Consulting Producers: Jessica Valenti, Kwajelyn Jackson, Jess Jacobs, Assistant Editor: Liza Lipskaia, Online Editor: Michael Wooldridge

Stalin Boys

Four Mexican-American middle school boys in a Texas border town have developed an unusual obsession: Joseph Stalin. When their teacher tells them about the Texas State History Fair, they write a play about the Soviet dictator - and his efforts to destroy all who opposed him. As the boys write and rehearse their play about Stalin, they are forced to confront their own relationship with power and control.

Four middle-school boys in a Texas border town have developed an unusual obsession: Joseph Stalin. When they hear about the Texas State History Fair, they write a play about the Soviet dictator and his efforts to destroy all who opposed him.

Alejandra Vasquez
Ora DeKornfeld
Bianca Giaever

Natalie Ancona
Ora DeKornfeld
Bianca Giaever

Malachi Gonzalez, Lyric Aguilar, Jurem Castro, Cayden Madaleno, Crawford Hunt, Clayton Wickham

Sound: Bianca Giaever, Additional Music: Xavier Markowitz, Color Grade: Away Team

Una Nave Fragil / A Fragile Vessel

English, Spanish; Castilian with English Subtitles

The hottest summer on record left Austin ablaze and terrified, a city where heat hits hardest in at-risk neighborhoods and communities of color. In the aftermath, the Castañón family walks into the woods, asking: What is heat? At a city-run heat-mapping event, they trace invisible threats and exercise small acts of agency, exploring how conversation—at home, with neighbors, with scientists and policy-makers—shapes the way we live in a world remade by heat.

As the world around them scorches under record heat, a family walks into the woods, asking what the future holds in this thermal dystopia. Their conversations map survival in a world reshaped by heat.

Samuel Díaz Fernández
Ái Vuong
Rafa V Fernando

Irma Castañon, Armando Castañon, Camille Castañon, JJ Castañon

Associate Producer: Meghan Cleary Rauker, Color: Alex Winker, Foley & Dialogue: Alejandro Díaz, Effects & Ambience: Mauricio Pérez, Boom Operator: Justin Hennard, PA: Té Díaz Fernández, Camera Operator: Ái Vuong, PA: Victoria Miller, Visual Consultant: Alonso J Luján

Winter Ceremony

A long-divorced Chinese couple reunites in Texas for their daughter’s college graduation.

The mother stays in the daughter’s small apartment, while the father returns each night to a hotel room of his own. The daughter drifts between her parents and her own thoughts.

At times, they appear to be a family.

After years of absence, what remains between them goes unspoken, as the father keeps his distance, lingering nearby.

In a Texas winter, a long-divorced Chinese couple comes together for their daughter’s college graduation.

Mike Liu, Vania Feng, Zhimei Wen, Eric Ramos, Joe Finfer, Emily McDonald

Co-Producer: Yoni Azulay, Co-Producer: Monica Suo

Shut The Fuck Up When We Speak

Five Black musicians from Austin, reflect on art, identity and the need to create in a world that is quick to silence black men. The film features members of: Fuck Money, Urban Heat, Black Mercy and Chief and TheDoomsDayDevice.

Five Black musicians reflect on art, identity, and the radical act of making noise in a world that wants them silent.

Alton Jenkins, Jonathan Horstmann, Greg Williams, Noble Brown, Taz Treuchet


Lori Landay

Lori Landay, Ph.D. is professor of cultural studies, new media, and visual culture at Berklee College of Music, Boston. An interdisciplinary artist-scholar, she explores image, movement, and sound via live performance and XR. As an MIT Open Doc Lab Fellow (2022-24), she fused motion and emotion in "Moving Realities."

Congressional Ballroom

Layers of Place: Austin

African
African American
Austin
Education
Environment
Food
Legal
Politics
Social Issues
Texas
Social Issue

SXSW Expo: XR Experience

XR Experience 2025 - Photo by Aaron Rogosin

Move between memories. Moving Memory uses AR to enhance how New Public Art’s interactive artwork Kempelen’s Owls makes a place to bridge the relationships between nature and technology, geometric and organic, clandestine and open, seen and hidden.
When you enter the space between Kemplen’s Owls and begin the AR experience, you hear music and see playful, colorful animated figures performing motion-captured choreography, and tiny sparkling streams of symbols: dodecahedrons, leaves, owls, and gears. Mirror or respond to the choreography of the avatars in poses or dance, and take photos with them in the app. If you discover the secret, you may feel seen indeed. What do you intend to remember?

Moving Memory

An AR experience bridging memory, nature, and technology through layered public art ft. Kempelen's Owls.

Choreography: Lori Landay, Dancers: Hannah Bilodeau, Kanella Benavides, Kate Warner, Alissa Cardone


Free JonnyPops Samples - A Better Pop for a Better World!

Stop by the JonnyPops tent to enjoy the simple ingredients, delicious taste and kindness in every pop! Free pops and swag will be distributed each day.

https://www.jonnypops.com/

FREE JONNYPOPS SAMPLES - A BETTER POP FOR A BETTER WORLD!

JonnyPops

We're traveling around the country sharing Kindness and delicious pops everywhere we go! Stop by the JonnyPops tent for a free sample of our delicious pops, which are organic, made with simple ingredients and no artificial dyes!


SXSW Expo: XR Experience

Virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality technologies are finding new ways to enhance our ability to perceive the world that surrounds us and redefining how we experience it. The projects presented in our XR Experience emphasize storytelling and art in the immersive world. Come immerse yourself in the most creative minds of the world at the SXSW XR Experience.


The Verdadero 360 Tequila Experience

The Verdadero 360 Tequila Experience is a 21+ tasting and education experience designed to let guests experience the Spirit For More. Guests sample different expressions while learning about agave, craftsmanship, and what sets Verdadero apart. The experience encourages curiosity, conversation, and connection. A 360 photo booth allows guests to capture and share the moment.
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Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verdaderotequila/
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Verdadero Tequila

Born in Austin and crafted in Jalisco, Verdadero is an ultra-premium, clean tequila made from 100% Blue Weber agave sourced from both the highlands and lowlands for natural balance and depth. The lineup includes a crisp Blanco, a smooth oak-aged Reposado, and a refined Añejo, each designed to be savored, shared, and enjoyed with intention. Verdadero is tequila for quality enjoyment, meaningful moments, and living well.


Congress Avenue Block Party

The Congress Avenue Block Party (formerly known as the Registrant Lounge) is the go-to space for all SXSW attendees to maximize their SX experience, offering daily complimentary drinks, food, and sponsor swag. Open throughout the conferences & festivals, this convenient and relaxing meeting point near the hub of SXSW action is an ideal spot to unwind and connect with other attendees. New for 2026, the Block Party is free and open to the public!

TooFar Media

World Premiere of Xiphactinus – An Immersive Storyworld Experience!

TooFar Media is an award-winning Arts Technology company, based in Silicon Valley, that creates Immersive Storyworlds, which combine Book, Music, Art, Animation and Film, to reimagine how stories are told and experienced.

Step inside TooFar Media’s Immersive Portal Experience @ Creative Industries Expo, and at TooFar Media’s PopUp @ Congress Ave Block Party, and discover the world premiere of Xiphactinus!

Plus, download the FREE TooFar Media app!


My/Mochi, the original and world's largest mochi ice cream brand, is inviting SXSW-goers to Taste the Joy! Our delightfully delicious ice cream wrapped in pillowy sweet rice dough comes in more than 20 flavors like Cookie Dough, Strawberry and Mango. So stop by our Joyfully Chill Ice Cream Shoppe at the Congress Ave Block Party Mar 12-18 to experience the joy for yourself!

MY/MOCHI JOYFULLY CHILL ICE CREAM SHOPPE

My/Mochi

Treat Yourself to a Taste of Joy at the My/Mochi Joyfully Chill Ice Cream Shoppe!

My/Mochi is the original and world's largest mochi ice cream brand - and we are inviting SXSW-goers to Taste the Joy! Our delightfully delicious ice cream wrapped in pillowy sweet rice dough comes in more than 20 flavors like Cookie Dough, Strawberry and Mango (and all are gluten free, nut free and 90 calories or less!). So stop by our Joyfully Chill Ice Cream Shoppe at the Congress Ave Block Party Mar 12-18 to experience the joy for yourself!


The Painterland Sisters' Yogurt Farm Stand

Step into the Painterland Sisters' Yogurt Farm Stand to sample our organic skyr yogurt and for hands-on farm education. Learn what organic regenerative farming really means, explore sensory elements from the farm, and taste some simply yummy skyr yogurt packed with probiotics and protein. Straight from the pasture to your spoon - made with love!

Painterland Sisters

Making a difference, one cup of skyr at a time!

Painterland Sisters is a woman-, family-, and farmer-owned organic skyr yogurt brand on a mission to connect consumers with the source of their food and restore the health of the land, people, and communities through organic regenerative agriculture. Their simply yummy, nutrient-dense yogurt is made with milk from their farm and other farms like it in the area, supporting American farmers in every cup.


Kevin Hamedani

In addition to "The Saviors", director Kevin Hamedani has won numerous awards for his work, including his first feature "ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction" (Lionsgate), and his last feature film, "Junk", won the Audience Award at the Austin Film Festival, as did his short film "In Her Place". Hamedani also adapted  horror project "Infidel" for TriStar.

Alamo Lamar 3

I Got Bombed at Harvey's

Biography
Crime
Documentary
Drama
Thriller

I Got Bombed at Harvey's (aka 1,000 Pounds of Dynamite)

Sean and Kim Harrison are a suburban couple about to divorce. By renting their guest house to a quiet Middle Eastern brother and sister, Amir and Jahan Razi, they find a perfect solution: raise money to fix and sell their house, then separate. But when bizarre occurrences begin to add up – mysterious lights, missing animals, glimpses of unexplainable tech – in the days before the President’s upcoming visit to town, their guests' strange behavior starts to seem suspicious and potentially dangerous. As Sean and Kim investigate their new tenants, they rediscover the emotional connection they once shared. But reconciliation may come at a significant cost in this timely and provocative thriller.

The Saviors

An estranged couple rents out their Airbnb, but soon start to suspect their guests might be plotting something nefarious. As the couple investigates, they rekindle their relationship and discover something stranger than they could have imagined.

Marissa Frobes, Inder Gill, Alex Brunner, Dante Desario

Danielle Deadwyler
Alyssa Roehrenbeck
Josh Sathre

Matt Smith
Dan Gedman
Nicholas Weinstock
Naomi Scott
Adam Scott
Divya D'Souza
Bradley Gallo
Michael Helfant

Adam Scott, Danielle Deadwyler, Theo Rossi, Kate Berlant, Nazanin Boniadi, Daveed Diggs, Ron Perlman, Colleen Camp, Greg Kinnear


African American
Latino
Texas
Women
Children
Disability
Native American/Indigenous
Youth/Teen

Courtesy of Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films

Alysa Nahmias

Alysa Nahmias is the Emmy-winning director of "Art & Krimes by Krimes" (MTV / Paramount+) and "The New Bauhaus" and co-director of "Unfinished Spaces" (Netflix, PBS), which is in the collection at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Her recent producing credits include "Wildcat" (Amazon Studios) and "Unrest" (Netflix, PBS). She is the founder of the Los Angeles based production company AJNA Films and co-founder of FWD-Doc. Alysa lives in LA with her partner, two children, and one new kitten.

Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema

Time and Water

Archival Materials Courtesy of Andri Snær Magnason

The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist

Courtesy of Focus Features © 2025 Focus Features, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Your Attention Please

Health/Disability/Illness
Politics
Technology
Social Issue

American Sign Language
Closed captioned
Subtitles
Audio description

“Cookie Queens” is a coming-of-age story about the joys, pressures, and pain points woven into one of America’s most cherished rituals: Girl Scout Cookie season. Captivating, candid, and full of heart, the film follows four girls ages 5-12 as they navigate the annual whirlwind of selling, striving, and succeeding. For these Girl Scouts, selling cookies isn’t just about Thin Mints and sisterhood - it’s a crash course in commercialism. Behind the smiles lie real pressure: long hours, ambitious goals, and weighty expectations. With humor, warmth, and a keen eye for small moments revealing big truths, “Cookie Queens” shows how growing up is shaped by tensions between community and capitalism.

Cookie Queens

It’s Girl Scout Cookie season, and four tenacious girls strive to be a top-selling “Cookie Queen,” navigating an $800 million business in which innocence and ambition collide.

Prince Harry
Duke of Sussex
Meghan
Duchess of Sussex
Tegan Acton
Hallee Adelman
Trevor Burgess
James Costa
Geralyn Dreyfous
Stephen G. Hall
Ruth Ann Harnisch
Melony Lewis
Adam Lewis
Ann Lewnes
Emma Pompetti
Chanel Pysnik
Regina K. Scully
Andrea van Beuren
Jennifer Pelling
Sheri Sobrato
Nathalie Seaver
Jamie Wolf

Gregory Kershaw
Michael Dweck
Alysa Nahmias
Jennifer Sims

Kim Roberts
Jeanne Applegate
Fátima de los Santos

Nikki B., Olive G., Shannon Elizabeth S., Ara E.

Production Sound: Veralucia Quispe Chirinos, Production Sound: Allie Boettger, Music Supervisors: Bruce Gilbert & Lauren Mikus, Casting Producers: Whitney Adams, Dan Bell, Co-Producers: Chloe Simmons, Ann Rogers, Qadriyyah Shamsid-Deen, Consulting Producer: Tim Rummel


SXSW Community Service Awards Recognition: Last Prisoner Project

Mary Bailey

Managing Director/Co-Founder

The SXSW Community Service Awards celebrate leaders and non-profit organizations from Austin and around the world who work tirelessly to improve the standing of the specific groups and causes that they serve.

Mary Bailey is a dedicated community organizer and social justice advocate. As managing director & co-founder of the criminal justice reform non-profit, Last Prisoner Project, Mary leads development efforts and cultivates community partnerships that enable Last Prisoner Project to fight for the release of cannabis prisoners and support them as they rebuild their lives. Her dedication to this mission has bolstered the organization's programs, which has saved over 360 years of prison time, provided $9M in legal services, passed 10 record clearance laws, and distributed over $3.8M to constituents through direct grants, commissary funds, and other financial support. She feels strongly that nobody should be in prison for cannabis and is dedicated to helping to inspire a more socially conscious cannabis industry.

Before co-founding Last Prisoner Project, she was the CEO of Alpha Agency, a Hawaii-based production company specializing in creating events that inspire positive social change through music, education, and community engagement. She also hosted the Maui Cannabis Conference, the Maui Yoga Festival, and monthly community block parties for the County of Maui Office of Economic Development. Mary received the High Times Dope Award and the High Times list of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the Cannabis Industry, the Advocate of the Year Award from Benzinga, the Top 100 Most Influential People for Activism by Cannabis Global Times, 40 under 40 from Cannabis Now Magazine, and serves as a SXSW Mentor.

SXSW COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS RECOGNITION: LAST PRISONER PROJECT


Katie Aselton

Katie Aselton is an acclaimed actor and filmmaker. Katie’s breakout acting role was in the indie darling, "The Puffy Chair," directed by Mark and Jay Duplass. She made her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film "The Freebie" and "Magic Hour" premiered at SXSW 2025. "Their Town" marks Aselton’s fifth feature as a director.

Alamo Lamar 7

Ugly Cry

Health/Disability/Illness
The Arts/Theater
Women

When Abby’s boyfriend drops out of the high school play, she finds herself helping a school outlier step into the role opposite her. They spend a long night wandering around their town, examining their futures and unearthing surprises from their past.

Their Town

Christine Hsu (CAA) and Josh Braun (Submarine)

Mark Duplass
Mel Eslyn
Jay Duplass
Katie Aselton

Ora Duplass, Chosen Jacobs, Will Parker, Kim Shaw, Jeffery Self, Daveed Diggs, Leonardo Nam, Annie Henk, Brad LaBree

Sound Mixer: Brian Mazzola, B Cam Operator: June Zandona, 1st Assistant Camera: Julia Crytser, 1st Assistant Camera: Nichole Harmon, Hair and Makeup Artist: Kelly Wilcox, Assistant Director: Jessica Dho, Co-Executive Producer: Shuli Harel


Featured Session: Social Media Masterclass 2026 with Ex-YouTube & Instagram Insider

Jon Youshaei

YouTuber

One of few creators to work inside both YouTube and Instagram, Jon Youshaei has been featured in Business Insider, Time, and Inc Magazine, and is known as "The Creators' Creator." During five years at YouTube, Jon was head of creator product marketing where he worked with YouTube's top creators and brands to grow their audience and their incomes. During three years at Instagram, Jon helped build their creator team to empower even more creators to grow and monetize. Now a full-time creator himself, Jon has garnered 1M+ followers and interviewed MrBeast, Will Smith, MKBHD, Steph Curry, and more. He's also been recognized by NPR as one of the best commencement speakers since 1774  and LinkedIn named him one of their "Top Voices."

Hilton Grand Ballroom (Salon HJK)

Featured Session: Moonshots that Move the Needle

SXSW Community Service Awards Recognition: The Bell

Featured Session: Strategy in the Times of Chaos: Imagining Futures of Education

Featured Session: How to Support Resilient Youth in an AI World

Great content starts with great ideas. In this talk, you’ll learn how to find better ideas for your social posts from Jon Youshaei who worked inside Instagram and YouTube for 8 years. Jon used this process to grow his audience to 1M+ followers while being featured in TIME, Fast Company, and Inc magazine for “cracking the code on how to go viral.” No more running out of ideas. No more waiting for inspiration. Whether you’re trying to grow on Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, or X, this talk outlines a repeatable process to grow your audience — and become a respected voice in your niche.

FEATURED SESSION: SOCIAL MEDIA MASTERCLASS 2026 WITH EX-YOUTUBE & INSTAGRAM INSIDER

Creator Economy track sponsored by Yamaha


The Cold Outreach Playbook for Tech Sales

Glenn Kramon

Professor

Glenn Karmon is a Pulitzer Prize–winning editor at The New York Times and a longtime instructor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where his “Winning Writing” course has become one of the school’s most popular offerings. Over his career at the Times, Glenn has edited stories that earned 10 Pulitzer Prizes and countless other honors. At Stanford, he has taught more than 3,500 MBA students, helping them sharpen their communication skills to lead, sell, and inspire. Glenn is known for transforming how professionals—from startup founders to Fortune 500 executives—write and speak so that their messages cut through the noise and generate real results.

Salon AB

Two Futurists and an AI: Seeing Trouble Ahead

How We Could Lose Control: Avoiding the Paths to Runaway AI

U.S. vs. The World: the Future We’re (Currently) Losing

The Clock Is Ticking for Space – Replacing the ISS

Can Media Survive AI? The Fight for Public Trust

Standing out in a crowded inbox or on a cold call is one of the toughest challenges in B2B sales. In this session, Glenn Kramon, Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times editor and Stanford Business School instructor, shares proven communication strategies that help sales professionals earn attention and credibility with decision-makers. You’ll learn how to open with impact, tailor messages to business priorities, remove unnecessary jargon, and strike the right balance of professionalism and authenticity to drive meaningful responses.


The Creator’s Brain: Neuroscience Tools for Content Ideas

Vivien Puppa Kocsis

Graduate Scientist

Vivien is an award-winning, Harvard-educated scientist and applied mathematician from Hungary. She researches how AI and neuroscience can be applied for good, with a focus on human creativity and behavior. Vivien has spoken on global stages including the United Nations, TEDx, SXSW, VidCon, TechCrunch Disrupt, and GITEX. At SXSW 2026, she may even livestream her own brainwaves on stage - so get ready!

Waller Ballroom C

From TikTok to Toolbelt: Preparing Gen Z for Work

Higher Ed's Losing Global Talent & the Bill Is Coming Due

It Takes a Region: Cybersecurity Pathways in Rural Alabama

Rethinking Discovery Algorithms for the Creator Economy

What if you could train your brain to generate better content ideas? This neuroscience-backed session explores how creators can tap into the brain’s natural creativity systems specifically for content production. With live brainwave demos on stage, you’ll see what happens during “Eureka” moments and how to trigger them on demand. Walk away with practical, brain-based tools to improve video ideation, storytelling, and content flow in the creator economy.

CREATOR?S BRAIN: NEUROSCIENCE TOOLS FOR CONTENT IDEAS


Darkchild On the Record: Music, Legacy, and Change

Jamie Dominguez

National Director of Industry Relations

Jamie Dominguez is the National Director of Industry Relations at The MLC, where she builds relationships across the music industry to support creators and amplify The MLC’s mission. With 25 years of experience in rights management, publishing, and education, she engages songwriters and partners across genres. A former SESAC exec and Sound Royalties director, Jamie also teaches at BerkleeNYC and serves as a Governor for the Recording Academy's NY chapter, where she co-chairs the DEI task force. She's passionate about empowering creators, fair practices, and community-building.

Rodney Jerkins

GRAMMY Award winning super-producer, artist, and founder/CEO

GRAMMY-winning producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins is a music legend with over two decades of hits for icons like Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, and many more. Starting as a prodigy at 15, he’s crafted a signature sound blending live instruments and keen artist insight. CEO of Sonix, Inc., Jerkins has sold over 250 million records worldwide. Beyond hits, he’s contributed to film, TV, and philanthropy, while serving as a Recording Academy leader and nurturing new talent through his publishing deal with BMG. A devout Christian, he blends faith with artistry to create impactful music on his own terms.

Capitol Ballroom ABCD

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Beyond the Track: Storytelling Across Music, Film & New Visual Frontiers with Vic Mensa

Who Gets Credit When Anyone Can Train a Music AI?

The Numbers Behind the Hits: How Data is Driving K-pop's Global Domination

Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins has shaped pop music for 25+ years, producing hits for icons like Brandy, Beyoncé, MJ, and SZA. Now leading his indie label Alienz Alive, he joins The MLC’s Jamie Dominguez for a candid fireside chat on legacy, ownership, and building a sustainable career with purpose. Jerkins shares lessons learned, what the industry gets wrong, and how transparency, mentorship, and community can help creators thrive in today’s ever-evolving, Wild West-like music economy.

DARKCHILD ON THE RECORD: MUSIC, LEGACY, AND CHANGE


How to Manage AI Anxiety at Work

Morra Aarons-Mele

Author/Host

Morra Aarons-Mele is a movement builder and an expert in helping people talk about hard things. Morra knows that taking your mental health seriously is a leadership strength, and her work won the Media Award from Mental Health America in 2023. She launched and hosts The Anxious Achiever podcast for LinkedIn Presents, which was a 2020 Webby Awards Honoree, and is a top management podcast and business podcast. Her latest book, The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears Into Your Leadership Superpower, published by Harvard Business Review Press, was just named one of the best management books in 2024 by Thinkers50. Morra is passionate about helping people rethink the relationship between their mental health and their success. She consults frequently with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and U.S Government agencies on matters of employee wellbeing and workplace mental health.

Salon B

Innovating in Science & Tech When Budgets are Tight

How To Meaningfully Connect in a World That Has Gone to Sh*t

It's a Whole Thing: Gen Z Work Relationships in the Age of AI

Better Leadership Starts with Understanding the Stressed Brain

As AI transforms how we work and lead, it’s not just a technical revolution—it’s an emotional one. In this session, Harvard Business Review author Morra Aarons-Mele explores how current and emerging leaders can manage AI anxiety, build psychological safety for themselves and their teams, and keep humans at the center of innovation. Attendees will learn to navigate fear and resistance with empathy, reframe anxiety as fuel for growth, and lead with clarity, flexibility, and courage through change.

Workplace track sponsored by University of Cincinnati


Mentor Session: Matt Klein (Reddit)

Matt Klein

Head of Global Foresight & Research Methods

A Webby-winning writer, global speaker and “Top Voice in Market Research,” Klein is a trusted advisor to organizations seeking to make sense of cultural change. With a decade of experience in trend forecasting, innovation, and strategic communications, Klein partners with investors, the UN, philanthropies, the press, and brands to make sense of the zeitgeist and author future-proofing strategies. As the Head of Global Foresight at Reddit, Klein blends social and data sciences, making sense of change at scale. He’s a relied upon source for the WSJ, DAZED and VICE, former contributor to Forbes where he served as a media critic, and Partner with The Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies.

Room 400-402

Mentor Session: Ali Tager (National Cryptocurrency Association)

Mentor Session: Aniesia Williams (dreambloc)

Mentor Session: Avantika Bagri (Centana Growth Partners)

Mentor Session: Brittan Heller (Stanford Law School)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Content Strategy/Production, Marketing/Advertising/PR, Storytelling.

Brand & Marketing track sponsored by Youtube


Mentor Session: Jamie Freedman (Pandora/SiriusXM)

Jamie Freedman

Senior Operations Manager/Head of Classical

Jamie works as Senior Operations Manager for Pandora's Creator Services Team and is the Head of Classical Music Programming. Dedicated to building connection between artist and fans, she helps artists and creators amplify their spins and engagement on the Pandora platform. Her career has been topsy turvy starting in academia at the University of Michigan studying voice with the late, great Shirley Verrett and getting a Masters degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of Texas at Austin, writing her Masters Report on Gospel Brunch in Austin, Texas. She has worked for various performing arts nonprofits (Stanford Live, Blue Bear School of Music), artist teams (Pomplamoose, The Californian Honeydrops) and music tech companies (Always More to Hear, Hear it Local, Wikia/Fandom). She currently performs with the women's ensemble Conspiracy of Venus.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Storytelling, Art.

MENTOR SESSION: JAMIE FREEDMAN (PANDORA/SIRIUSXM)


Mentor Session: Andrea Lewis (Hot Topic)

Andrea Lewis

VP, Marketing

Andrea Lewis is a marketing leader with over 24 years of experience, who is passionate about innovation and what’s next in marketing. She thrives at the intersection of creativity, culture, and technology, driving impact through social media strategy, influencer and creator partnerships, and vibrant brand storytelling. Her experience spans in-person event touchpoints, PR, studio and label collaborations, artist campaigns, graphic design, and full-scale creative development. She's endlessly curious, always exploring new ways to connect brands and audiences in meaningful, memorable ways including tech, AI, gaming, live selling and more.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Fashion/Retail, Marketing/Advertising/PR, Storytelling, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Content Strategy/Production, "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion", Future of Work, Immersive Technology, Nonprofits, Product Management/Development.

MENTOR SESSION: ANDREA LEWIS (HOT TOPIC)


Mentor Session: Joanna Starling (Starling Music Supervision)

Joanna Starling

Music Supervisor

’m a creative director and music supervisor based in Austin. After 10 years of working in NYC, I knew it was time to come back home to Texas! I have 8 years of ad agency life (Ogilvy and Publicis NY), 3 years at a label and publisher (BMG) and 6 years of freelance film music supervision experience. My specialties include music searches and research, crafting original music briefs, music clearance, negotiation and licensing.

Mentor Session: Arnaecia Alridge (Methix)

Mentor Session: Isabella Uknis (Universal Music Publishing Group)

Tannehill

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Mentor Session: Lauren Apolito (The Harry Fox Agency/Rumblefish )

Mentor Session: Max Christensen (Crunchy Frog/Crunchy Tunes)

Mentor Session: Noel Morrison (SiriusXM/Pandora)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Sync/Licensing, Women in Music, Publishing.

MENTOR SESSION: JOANNA STARLING (STARLING MUSIC SUPERVISION)


Mentor Session: Karl Richter (DISCO)

Karl Richter

Founder & CEO

Karl Richter’s 25 years + in the music industry spans radio to A&R and sync to music tech. An avid champion of independent artists Karl was responsible for signing burgeoning punk and alternative acts in the late 90s at Australia’s renowned, independent  Mushroom Records.
Karl founded Level Two Music in 2002 - a company that evolved from an independent record label into Australia’s leading music supervision agency. Level Two’s music supervision work over 22 years has been recognised both locally and on an international stage. 2024 work has so far won a best Sync in Advertising at the prestigious Music + Sound Awards and Silver Clio for best sync.
Working as a supervisor and frustrated by the lack of any intuitive software that understood the creative workflow needs of music industry professionals, Karl created DISCO. Today, DISCO is used by over 1,000 global teams across the entire music ecosystem managing over 110M files - including major labels, film studios, and chart-topping creators.
Karl has a keen interest in the intersection at which music and tech meet as well as the role of A&R in creative company building. Karl continues to support the role of the artist in the ever changing music industry environment. He holds a strong belief in the importance of sustainable artist empowerment, the power of human creativity and the democratization of music via discovery.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Music Tech, Sync/Licensing, and A&R


Mentor Session: Zena Harris (Green Spark Group)

Zena Harris

Founder & President

Zena Harris builds sustainability programs that embed sustainable practices, influence stakeholders and shift industries. Professionally, she has worked in three sectors - industrial engineering and construction, higher education, and entertainment – in a corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial context respectively. In 2014, she founded the sustainability consulting company, Green Spark Group, with the focus of advancing sustainability practices in film and television, and the mission to “change the climate of entertainment”, working throughout the United States and Canada. Zena manages a team that focuses on entertainment production strategy, best practice implementation, education, and data analysis. Zena serves as president of the board of the Sustainable Entertainment Society, a nonprofit she founded, and she is part of the Sustainable Production for Entertainment Certification (SPEC) technical team to create a standard and certification for the entertainment workforce. To elevate people doing amazing work behind the scenes, she co-hosts the podcast The Tie-in with Mark Rabin. Zena holds a master’s degree from Harvard University in Sustainability and Environmental Management.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, Energy.

MENTOR SESSION: ZENA HARRIS (GREEN SPARK GROUP)


Round Table: Narrative Filmmaking: Adam Hoelzel, Jessica M. Thompson, and Paul Gandersman

Adam Hoelzel

Writer, Director & Producer

Adam Hoelzel is a writer, director and producer, represented at UTA and Range Media Partners. After working as a producer at Disney for fifteen years, Adam went on to develop his own projects for Bad Robot, Atlas Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Adam’s first spec, Beast of Burden, was shot in Savannah, Georgia, and starred Daniel Radcliffe and Grace Gummer. Adam’s film, Subject 19, was featured on Gunpowder & Sky’s sci-fi channel, DUST, and he will be directing the feature version with XYZ Films and Pulsar. Adam made his feature directorial debut on the upcoming Tender, which stars David Koechner of Anchor Man, Flamin' Hot’s Jesse Garcia, and Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winner Jess Weixler of The Good Wife. Adam's newest feature film, Snare, was just announced in Indiewire this month. As a storyteller, Adam focuses on generational trauma and toxic masculinity within Rust Belt America.

Paul Gandersman

Writer/Director

Paul Gandersman is half of the filmmaking duo Arcanum Pictures. As part of Arcanum, Paul has produced numerous feature and short films over the past 15+ years (multiple of which have premiered at SXSW). And most recently Paul co-wrote and co-directed the horror feature film MAN FINDS TAPE, released in December 2025 by Magnolia Pictures. Additionally, Paul has worked for 11+ years at FloSports as Video Production Director - producing long form sports documentaries and series, as well as mentoring dozens of video creators during his tenure. Also, Paul worked with the SXSW shorts programming team for 10 years, and has a deep understanding of what makes a successful short film, and what festivals are looking for when programming. Paul has a wealth of experience in all aspects of the film production world and enjoys sharing that experience with others.

Jessica M. Thompson

Writer/Director/Producer

Jessica M. Thompson is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker whose feature writing-directing debut, "The Light of the Moon", premiered in-competition at SXSW and won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film. The film enjoyed a limited theatrical release to sold-out screens and heralds a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score. Critics called the film "harrowingly effective" (Variety), "honest and complex" (The Hollywood Reporter), and stated that "for any filmmaker, this would be an unmitigated triumph, but for a first-time filmmaker this is revelatory."

Jess was the lead director on the Showtime/Sky limited series "The End", produced by the Oscar-winning See-Saw Films (The Power of the Dog, The King's Speech). The series received five-star reviews from The Times & The Guardian.

Her second directorial feature "The Invitation", a Sony Pictures gothic-thriller, had its worldwide theatrical release in August 2022. It opened #1 at the box office and later reached #2 on Netflix, with over 664 million minutes streamed in its opening weekend.

Jess founded Stedfast Productions in 2010.

Representative

Round Table: Programming: Landon Zakheim, Monica Garcia Massague, and R.J. LaForce

Round Table: Sales, Acquisitions, and Distribution: Amy Beecroft, Joe Yanick, and Shaked Berenson

Round Table: Producing: Ashleigh Snead, Kelly Williams, and Liz Cardenas

Round Table: Acting: Alexandra Barreto, Alyssa Rodriguez, and Rider Strong

Round Table: Development: Carolina Tamez and Henry Kittredge

An extension of our popular Mentor Sessions, our Round Table Sessions not only allow attendees to learn from the industry experts that sit at each of the three tables in this session but they also allow attendees to learn from the questions and experiences of their peers as well. This Round Table Session will bring together industry experts and SXSW attendees for an enlightening discussion on Narrative Filmmaking.

ROUND TABLE: NARRATIVE FILMMAKING: ADAM HOELZEL, JESSICA M. THOMPSON, AND PAUL GANDERSMAN

Film & TV track sponsored by Crunchyroll


Producers Mentor Session: Ramfis Myrthil (Ramfis Productions)

Ramfis Myrthil

Founder/President

A NY- based filmmaker primarily produces films by people of color, women, and the LGBTQ community, promoting themes of passion and

integrity. Ramfis' first short, LOVE AND THE SMALL PRINT (2012), premiered at Cannes, acquiring worldwide distribution with Shorts International. His film CICADA (2021) received an Independent Spirit Award nomination and found worldwide distribution. His project 5150, executive produced alongside David Oyelowo, found success in the Tribeca Film Festival Creators Market (2021). Ramfis and fellow producer Shaggy debuted BAD LIKE BROOKLYN DANCE HALL (2023), a documentary celebrating Caribbean music

culture, at Tribeca. His sci-fi feature UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS (2022)

achieved full theatrical release with Quiver.

Liberty

Agents & Managers Mentor Session: Olivia Mascheroni (Verve Talent & Literary Agency)

Legal Mentor Session: Fabio de Sa Cesnik (CQS FV Law Firm)

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: RJ Millard (Obscured Pictures)

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Traci Hanlon (Cinergy Entertainment)

Programming Mentor Session: CC Hutten (TED Conferences)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Producers/Production, Narrative Filmmakers, Development.

PRODUCERS MENTOR SESSION: RAMFIS MYRTHIL (RAMFIS PRODUCTIONS)


Producers Mentor Session: Matthew Mills (Spacestation)

Matthew Mills

Founder & CEO

Matthew C. Mills is an Emmy Award-.winning creative producer, writer, and founder of Spacestation, a New York–based studio known for building culture through storytelling, design, and experience. His work spans television, digital series, immersive events, and branded entertainment for networks, artists, and global brands. A former executive producer at MTV and director of award-winning content for Food Network, The New York Times, and A+E, Matthew now develops original formats and scripts at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and art. He mentors creators on crafting authentic narratives, producing with intention, and navigating the evolving media landscape—where creativity, connection, and innovation collide. Upcoming feature film projects include “Three Texas Women” and “Darling.”

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Agents & Managers, Development, Doc Filmmakers, Narrative Filmmakers, Producers/Production, "Sales, Acquisitions, & Distribution".

PRODUCERS MENTOR SESSION: MATTHEW MILLS (SPACESTATION)


Producers Mentor Session: Jessica Wolfson (Lost Footage Films)

Jessica Wolfson

Producer/Executive Producer

Filmmaker Jessica Wolfson has produced numerous critically acclaimed films and series throughout her career. Her work has appeared on PBS, Wall Street Journal, Paramount+, Discovery, History, Vogue, Vanity Fair, ESPN, MTV, and more. As the Executive Producer of Indeed Creative, Jessica led production for branded content, creative campaigns, social media, and original programming across multiple platforms and drove initiatives like Rising Voices, which amplifies emerging storytellers. Jessica was named one of DOC NYC’s “20 Under 40” and has served as a mentor for The Gotham, Tribeca Film, and international arts programs in Central Africa and Yemen. She has led marketing campaigns, partnering with media companies and cultural organizations to bring powerful stories to broader audiences. She brings this depth of creative and strategic experience to amplify authentic voices and drive meaningful storytelling.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Doc Filmmakers, Producers/Production.

PRODUCERS MENTOR SESSION: JESSICA WOLFSON (LOST FOOTAGE FILMS)


Producers Mentor Session: Valerie Steinberg (Valerie Steinberg Productions)

Valerie Steinberg

Producer

Valerie Steinberg is a Los Angeles-based film producer whose work spans SXSW, Sundance, Venice, Cannes, Tribeca, Aspen, Palm Springs, and beyond. She has produced and executive produced award-winning films with partners including A24, Hulu, HBO, Criterion Channel, and Disney. Her feature credits include Karmalink (Venice Critics’ Week Opening Night), and as Executive Producer War Pony (Cannes Caméra d’Or winner, SXSW 2023), Queens of the Dead (Tribeca 2025), Esta Isla (Tribeca 2025), and Silver Star (Deauville 2024).

Valerie's work has screened many times at SXSW includes The Sentry (2025), Neo-Dome (2024), War Pony (2023), Hair Wolf (2018), Blocks (2020), Everybody Dies! (as part of Collective:Unconscious, 2016), and Fry Day (2017, Poster Design Award winner). Her shorts have also premiered at Sundance, Tribeca, and Clermont-Ferrand and have been distributed on Criterion Channel, Hulu, and HBO.

Valerie is a committed mentor and advocate for emerging filmmakers. In addition to having served as SXSW mentor every year since 2019, she leads annual pitch workshops for Cannes Cinéma de Demain, mentors for Soho House’s film programs, and speaks regularly at festivals and institutions including Yale, Columbia, NYU, Palm Springs ShortFest, and Film Independent. She has juried for Aspen Shortsfest, Palm Springs ShortFest, Sun Valley Film Festival, and SeriesFest.

With experience across development, packaging, financing, physical production, international co-production, and festival strategy, she endeavors to offer filmmakers actionable guidance to strengthen their projects creatively and strategically.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Development, Producers/Production, Narrative Filmmakers.

PRODUCERS MENTOR SESSION: VALERIE STEINBERG (VALERIE STEINBERG PRODUCTIONS)


Producers Mentor Session: Mindy Raymond (Rolling Reels Productions / The Shine Company)

Mindy Raymond

Co-Founder

Mindy Raymond is a Texas-based producer, industry advocate, and strategic connector working at the intersection of film production, policy, and economic development. As co-founder of Rolling Reels Productions, she partners with director Julia Barnett to create films that champion authenticity, inclusion, and a distinct sense of place. Known for her ability to connect people, projects, and purpose, Mindy has built a reputation as a driving force in Texas filmmaking and a trusted collaborator across the industry.

Beyond producing, she is a longtime leader in film incentive advocacy, helping communities and productions alike benefit from the growth of the creative economy. She recently stepped down from Women in Film & Television Austin after serving for seven years as a founding Advisory Board member and Chair, where she championed opportunities for women and underrepresented voices across all areas of production.

Mindy is also co-founder of The Shine Company, a consultancy dedicated to transforming communities through the economic power of media production. Her work focuses on studio development, incentive strategy, and film tourism initiatives, supporting regions and organizations seeking to attract productions and build sustainable creative infrastructure. With a vast network and a gift for authentic communication, she is widely recognized as a catalyst for collaboration and a leader helping shape the future of the global creative media industries.

Executive Room

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Jenny Bloom (Bloomerang PR)

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Lisa Trifone (Bright Iris Film Co.)

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Maddy Bilder (26 Keys Productions)

Programming Mentor Session: Boram Park (Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival)

Programming Mentor Session: Haojie Huang (Kaohsiung Film Festival)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Narrative Filmmakers, Producers/Production, Development.

PRODUCERS MENTOR SESSION: MINDY RAYMOND (ROLLING REELS PRODUCTIONS / THE SHINE COMPANY)


Mentor Session: Rose Campbell (Seeker Music)

Rose Campbell

Marketing Director

Rose Campbell is a music marketing strategist with 15+ years of experience helping artists build superfans and long-term careers. She is currently Marketing Director at Seeker Music, where she leads creator-first marketing across a roster spanning legacy artists like Joan Jett and Christopher Cross to emerging talent including CARR and girl on a hill. Previously, she held senior roles at SoundCloud, The Spellbound Group, and Fuse TV, working on campaigns for artists such as Aly & AJ, The Doors, Janis Joplin, and Angels & Airwaves.

Tannehill

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Mentor Session: Arnaecia Alridge (Methix)

Mentor Session: Isabella Uknis (Universal Music Publishing Group)

Mentor Session: Lauren Apolito (The Harry Fox Agency/Rumblefish )

Mentor Session: Max Christensen (Crunchy Frog/Crunchy Tunes)

Mentor Session: Noel Morrison (SiriusXM/Pandora)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/PR, Women in Music.

MENTOR SESSION: ROSE CAMPBELL (SEEKER MUSIC)


Mentor Session: Michael Palmer (Palmer Labs)

Michael Palmer

President

Michael Palmer helps ambitious teams break through the federal maze. As founder of Palmer Labs, he guides federal contractors and fast-moving startups to shape strategy, adopt AI with confidence, and deliver results that matter to real missions. His background is deep—decades inside agencies like DHS, GSA, EPA, The White House, and the Department of Commerce, where he led major tech turnarounds and rolled out billion-dollar modernization efforts. At the White House, he steered digital shifts that changed how government delivers.

Michael has seen both sides of the table. He knows how government thinks. He knows what industry needs to succeed. Now, he makes it his mission to close that gap—helping organizations work together and move faster, with greater purpose and trust.

At SXSW, Michael opens the door to what’s next: making AI responsible, teaming up smarter, and showing how government and tech can truly build the future—side by side. If you’re ready to tackle the toughest challenges, Michael’s the person to hear.

Room 400-402

Mentor Session: Ali Tager (National Cryptocurrency Association)

Mentor Session: Aniesia Williams (dreambloc)

Mentor Session: Avantika Bagri (Centana Growth Partners)

Mentor Session: Brittan Heller (Stanford Law School)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Business Development, Entrepreneurship.

MENTOR SESSION: MICHAEL PALMER (PALMER LABS)


Mentor Session: Thorhallur Jonsson (Crunchy Frog)

Thorhallur Jonsson

COO

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Distribution, A&R, Sync/Licensing.

MENTOR SESSION: THORHALLUR JONSSON (CRUNCHY FROG)


Mentor Session: Marc Nathan (Michael Best)

Marc Nathan

Senior Director of Market Development

Marc Nathan is an experienced business development professional and startup community connector who serves as the Senior Director of Market Development for Michael Best & Friedrich LLP a full-service law firm, and the publisher of the Texas-Squared Startup Newsletter (www.texassquared.com) and the Texas-Boxed CPG Newsletter (www.bitly.com/txboxed), and hosts the regular OpenCoffee, Wake Up!, and Turn Up! meetups.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Funding, Food/AgTech, Business Development.

MENTOR SESSION: MARC NATHAN (MICHAEL BEST)


Mentor Session: KP Parmenter (Alchemy Artist Services)

KP Parmenter

Co-Founder

Kaitlyn (“KP”) Parmenter began their career in artist management and development, collaborating with artists such as Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, and Michael Franti during their tenure at Activist Artists Management and Starstruck Entertainment. In 2021, they co-founded Alchemy Artist Services, a boutique digital marketing firm, with Jeremy Gold. Over the past four years, the duo has partnered with artists such as All Time Low, Larkin Poe, Billy Idol, and PVRIS, including contributions to 2 GRAMMY award winning record campaigns and inclusion in the 2024 Sandbox Campaigns of The Year report.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/PR, Data, Music Tech.

MENTOR SESSION: KP PARMENTER (ALCHEMY ARTIST SERVICES)


Mentor Session: Gracie Arenas Strittmatter (Electronic Arts)

Gracie Arenas Strittmatter

Supervising Director, Technical Operations, EA SPORTS

Gracie Arenas Strittmatter is Supervising Director of Tiburon Technical Operations for EA SPORTS at Electronic Arts (EA) based in Austin, overseeing operational aspects of technical delivery for the Orlando-based EA SPORTS portfolio (Madden NFL and College Football). With 17 years of tech art and operational experience on AAA titles, she is passionate about leadership/career development, problem solving, programming, art tools, team building, and effective communication. As the first female university graduate in her family, Gracie is a champion of education. She is a global advisor for SOMOS EA (Hispanic/Latinx Employee Resource Group), a 20+ year volunteer with ACM SIGGRAPH, on the board of the Texas A&M Department of Visualization, a 2024 Latinos in Sports Awardee, a 2022 HACR Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever, and a 2022 recipient of EA’s highest honor, the Purpose & Belief Award, for Culture Impact. She holds a BS, Computer Science and a MS, Visualization Sciences from Texas A&M.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Game Development, Coding, Art.

MENTOR SESSION: GRACIE ARENAS STRITTMATTER (ELECTRONIC ARTS)


Mentor Session: Chandler Coyle (Propeller Sound Services)

Chandler Coyle

Head of Operations and Marketing

Chandler Coyle is the co-founder of Propeller Sound Services, an artist services and marketing agency. He is also a music business educator and a consummate connector of people. Chandler spends his days managing projects and running the operational infrastructure for his artist and label clients. Since 2012, Chandler has been teaching and providing course development guidance for both undergraduate and graduate-level music business courses through Berklee College of Music's online extension, Berklee Online, and Southern New Hampshire University. Chandler has given talks and appeared on panels at SXSW, CD Baby's DIY Musician Conference, Berklee Onsite, and Chicago's LakeFX.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/PR, Data, Distribution.

MENTOR SESSION: CHANDLER COYLE (PROPELLER SOUND SERVICES)


Producers Mentor Session: Matt Grady (Factory 25)

Matt Grady

Founder

Matt Grady is the founder of Factory 25, an independent film production and distribution company launched in 2009. Factory 25 is a home for conceptually provocative narratives and documentaries. Grady was named "One of the Most Influential People in Brooklyn Culture,” and has been called "One of the most important curatorial voices of new, independent American films." His mission is to expose the world to under-the-radar films, music, and other curiosities theatrically and digitally, as well as on TV, VOD, VHS, and limited edition discs with vinyl LPs and books. Factory 25 titles include This Closeness, Actual People, Ham on Rye, Other Music, All This Panic, MA, Sylvio, August at Akiko's, Uncle Kent 2, Stinking Heaven, Alex Ross Perry's The Color Wheel, Sophia Takal's Green, All the Light in the Sky, Amy Seimetz's Sun Don't Shine and the restored Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning film In the Soup by Alexandre Rockwell. Grady also produced Nathan Silver's The Great Pretender, Onur Tukel's Applesauce and Summer of Blood, Theodore Collatos & Carolina Monnerat's Queen of Lapa along with You Mean Everything to Me by Bryan Wizemann, All the Old Bells by Brent Green and Inspector Ike by Graham Mason. Factory 25’s headquarters are located in Brooklyn, New York.

Executive Room

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Jenny Bloom (Bloomerang PR)

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Lisa Trifone (Bright Iris Film Co.)

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Maddy Bilder (26 Keys Productions)

Programming Mentor Session: Boram Park (Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival)

Programming Mentor Session: Haojie Huang (Kaohsiung Film Festival)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in "Sales, Acquisitions, & Distribution", Producers/Production.

PRODUCERS MENTOR SESSION: MATT GRADY (FACTORY 25)


Mentor Session: Coleen Jose (Adobe)

Coleen Jose

Sr. Product Marketing Manager, Content Authenticity

Coleen Jose is a creative strategist and technologist with a background in tech and investigative journalism. At Adobe, she leads product marketing and storytelling for the Content Authenticity Initiative. Previously, she was a Community Editor at Instagram, supporting content creation and driving discovery to global, interest-based communities. As a journalist, her work involved long-form and award-winning multimedia projects covering stories on climate change to the aftermath of armed conflict. She is deeply invested in the role and responsibility of platforms and creative products in empowering creativity and shaping a more informed society.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Content Strategy/Production, Marketing/Advertising/PR, Storytelling.


Mentor Session: Julie Hurwitz (Songbird Creative)

Julie Hurwitz

Founder/CEO

Julie Hurwitz is a 20+ year music industry veteran and the Founder and CEO of Songbird Creative, a music agency advising catalogue owners, publishers, labels and tech start ups on operational strategy, recruitment and synch licensing.

Before launching Songbird, Julie was President of Synch and Creative Operations at Hipgnosis Song Management and spent more than a decade at Kobalt Music Group where she was Co-Head of Synch managing a team of 55+ across nine cities. She has negotiated multiple millions of dollars in licenses as well as Super Bowl commercials and Presidential campaigns. In tandem with Kobalt's People & Culture team, Julie led the company’s recruitment strategy.

Before Kobalt, Julie was VP at Nettwerk Music, Music Producer at Ogilvy Advertising, and founding Executive Creative Director at renowned music production company, Q Department. She currently sits on the board of the Association of Music Producers.

Julie loves interior design, tamales, dark comedy and direct communication. She lives in Queens, NY with her husband, two teenagers and their dog, Ziggy.

Tannehill

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Mentor Session: Arnaecia Alridge (Methix)

Mentor Session: Isabella Uknis (Universal Music Publishing Group)

Mentor Session: Lauren Apolito (The Harry Fox Agency/Rumblefish )

Mentor Session: Max Christensen (Crunchy Frog/Crunchy Tunes)

Mentor Session: Noel Morrison (SiriusXM/Pandora)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Sync/Licensing, Women in Music, Publishing.

MENTOR SESSION: JULIE HURWITZ (SONGBIRD CREATIVE)


Find Your People: The Story Builders Meet Up

Howard Rosenman

Movie and Television Producer, Writer & Actor

Join Howard Rosenman for an intimate SXSW Meet Up designed for storytellers and Hollywood-curious builders who want real connection and a rare, unfiltered window into how the industry actually works. Rosenman is an Academy Award-winning producer (Best Documentary Feature for Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt) whose credits span Father of the Bride, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Family Man, The Celluloid Closet, and Call Me by Your Name.

This meet up will open with a short, candid “ask me anything” style kickoff from Howard about building a lasting creative career, earning trust in rooms with high stakes, and what separates projects that get made from projects that stay ideas. The rest of the hour is designed for organic conversation and real introductions, with Howard available for questions and perspective you rarely get outside the Hollywood inner circle.

FIND YOUR PEOPLE: THE STORY BUILDERS MEET UP


Mentor Session: Lori Ethier (M for Montreal)

Lori Ethier

Head of International Development

Recognized as a “Rising Star” by Grenier aux Nouvelles, Lori Ethier is a leader in international music development. After expanding the label Kartel Musik across Canada, Europe, and Australia, she now serves as Head of International Strategic Alliances for M for Montreal, Canada’s most recognized music conference. She drives global strategy, builds partnerships with export offices, curates international delegates, and leads initiatives fostering cross-border collaborations connecting artists, industry leaders, and new markets worldwide.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Women in Music, Streaming & Programming, Touring, A&R.

MENTOR SESSION: LORI ETHIER (M FOR MONTREAL)


Producers Mentor Session: Tracie Laymon (Laymon's Terms)

Tracie Laymon

Dir

Tracie Laymon is the writer/director of BOB TREVINO LIKES IT, which premiered at SXSW ‘24 where it won both the SXSW Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature and the SXSW Audience Award. Starring John Leguizamo, Barbie Ferreira, French Stewart, Lauren "Lolo" Spencer and Rachel Bay Jones, the film was acquired by Roadside Attractions, and released theatrically in the US in Spring of 2025. The film continues to be sold internationally and is now available in the US on both Hulu and on digital.  Tracie is currently in development on multiple features, which she is also attached to direct.

A Texas-native, Laymon spent some of her formative time as a teenager in Russia before returning to the States for college, where she began directing short films. She has been named to IFC’s list of emerging "Icons" and film innovators.  Tracie is a fierce advocate for the inclusion and representation of all genders as well as people with disabilities in front of and behind the camera. As a filmmaker, her goal is to amplify diverse perspectives through underdog stories––stories about reluctant heroes who find unexpected ways to succeed in the face of adversity.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Screenwriting, Narrative Filmmakers, Producers/Production, Development, Agents & Managers, Funding/Artist Support.

PRODUCERS MENTOR SESSION: TRACIE LAYMON (LAYMON'S TERMS)


Producers Mentor Session: Matthew Miller (Vanishing Angle)

Matthew Miller

Co-founder/President/Producer

Matthew Lee Miller is the co-founder and owner of Vanishing Angle, a critically acclaimed production company known for championing innovative independent films. A Spirit Award and Critics Choice Award-nominated producer, Matt has produced over seventeen feature films and has executive produced, co-produced, or line produced over ten others. His work also includes more than thirty short films, several digital series, and numerous music videos and commercials. His projects have premiered and won awards at top festivals worldwide, including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, Cannes, and Berlinale.

Before shifting his focus to producing, Matt spent years working in production as an assistant director and set PA, gaining hands-on experience under some of the industry's most respected filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Noah Baumbach, Gus Van Sant, Clint Eastwood, and Sean Penn. These experiences shaped his approach to fostering a collaborative and supportive production environment.

Through Vanishing Angle, Matt continues to support emerging talent while maintaining long-term collaborations with filmmakers. Recent projects include Tina Romero’s Queens of the Dead which won the audience award at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival and was released in October by IFC, and The Edge Of Normal, starring Chloë Grace Moretz and Rupert Friend, which is currently in post production. Matt is an Executive Producer on two films at SXSW this year, KILL ME, starring Charlie Day, Allison Williams, Aya Cash, and Giancarlo Esposito, and DOWNBEAT, the latest from acclaimed filmmaker Danny Madden.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Development, Narrative Filmmakers, Producers/Production.

PRODUCERS MENTOR SESSION: MATTHEW MILLER (VANISHING ANGLE)


Why Isn’t Gen Z Having Sex? How Politics Invaded the Bedroom

Paxton Smith

Board Member

Paxton Smith is a musician and abortion rights activist. She is widely known for her high school valedictory address which confronted harsh abortion laws in Texas. It has since been heard around the world and has been translated and published into a variety of languages.

In 2022, Paxton became a published author on the subject, with the release of A War on My Body; A War on My Rights. She is now focusing on her music career, studying music production with Berklee Online and interning at a prominent music studio to hone her skills. She is on the board for the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP) and the advisory board for A is For.

Eleanor Klibanoff

Women’s Health Reporter

Eleanor Klibanoff is the Texas Tribune’s women’s health reporter, based in Austin, where she covers abortion, maternal health care, gender-based violence and LGBTQ+ issues, among other topics. She started with the Tribune in 2021, and was previously with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting in Louisville, where she reported, produced, and hosted the Peabody-nominated podcast, “Dig.”

Carter Sherman

Reproductive Health & Justice Reporter

Carter Sherman is a journalist who covers gender and sexuality across all kinds of media — in print, behind the camera, and in front of it. She is currently the reproductive health and justice reporter for the Guardian’s US newsroom. Previously, Carter worked as a senior reporter at VICE News, where she focused on issues like reproductive rights, sexual violence, and LGBTQ+ rights.

Her reporting has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including a Scripps Howard Award, a National Press Club Journalism Award, and four Emmy nominations.

She’s the author of The Second Coming, a book about how modern politics, education, and the internet have radically reshaped young people’s approach to sex, gender, and activism, which was published in June 2025.

Salon D

Who’s Funding the Future—and Who’s Getting Left Out

Thrive or Survive: Why Creativity is the Key to an AI-Future

The Story of Stories—The Million Year History of Storytelling

Skills You’ll Need To Succeed in the Post-AI Age

Through the Noise: The State of Science Storytelling

Young people are in the midst of a sex recession – they’re having much less sex, way less often – and they’re taking flak from all sides. Some say young women are too sex negative in the wake of #MeToo and the fall of Roe v Wade. Others blame young men for becoming enamored with the manosphere and internet porn.

Placed against the backdrop of a sexually-conservative, anti-LGBTQ+ Trump administration – and a Democratic opposition too scared to broach the subject – this conversation will explore Gen Z’s worries about romance and dating, and what it means for the rest of us.

WHY ISN?T GEN Z HAVING SEX? HOW POLITICS INVADED THE BEDROOM


Podcasters Meet Up

Justin Nguyen

Founder/President

Justin is the Founder of Declassified Media, a company that helps students navigate the world of college with their free content. He also co-hosts the How Creators Make Money podcast. Each month, Declassified creates content for it’s 450,000 followers and reaches over 10million students. Justin is also a sought after international keynote speaker previously speaking at events like SXSW EDU, SXSW, GITEX Dubai, and Connect 2021: Global Early Talent Summit. Currently, Justin is also building Always Be Creating, a community for Asian content creators and Asian professionals within the Creator Economy.

Grace Ling

Founder, Designer, Content Creator

Grace Ling is the Cofounder of Design Buddies and CoCreate, a global community and education program with an audience of 2 million+ helping designers land jobs and companies hire designers. She is a designer, illustrator, founder, content creator, and competitive runner. She is also the co-host of the popular podcast How Creators Make Money. Grace draws and creates content about design and life. Grace travels the world to speak at conferences and host events. She lives in San Francisco but has been to 40+ countries around the world.

Room 408

Convene, Collaborate, & Cultivate Connection: Moms Meet Up

Everyone has a podcast now, but no one really talks about how to actually grow one or make money from it. That’s what this meetup is for. Hosted by Grace Ling and Justin Nguyen from How Creators Make Money podcast, we’re bringing podcasters together to trade real tips, share what’s worked and what hasn’t, and connect with people who get it. Whether you’re on episode 2 or 200, you’ll leave with ideas, new friends, and maybe your next collab.


Resilience Through Innovation: AI at NPR and Public Media

Ethan Toven-Lindsey

Editor-In-Chief

Erica Osher

Vice President, AI Labs

As Vice President, AI Labs, Osher oversees NPR's AI strategy as a business leader driving NPR's exploration of opportunities related to artificial intelligence. She is developing and leading programs that build trust, augment NPR team capacities, and innovate with emerging AI tools in support of NPR's public service mission.

Room 410

Technology Convergence: Winning the Exponential Upswing

Leading the AI Future: How to Think Exponentially in a Chaotic Decade

CTRL + ALT + CREATE: How AI Is Reshaping the Creative Process

How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change: A Conversation with the authors of Somebody Should Do Something

With budgets cut, public media faces new threats. Yet the mission remains vital —ensuring it remains vital, relevant, and deeply connected to the people it serves. Hear how public media is embracing innovation with AI-powered creativity and content personalization to community-led storytelling. Join us to explore this dynamic future.

RESILIENCE THROUGH INNOVATION: AI AT NPR AND PUBLIC MEDIA


Beyond the Grid: Motorsport Culture Meet Up

Maria Rodriguez

Co-Founder

María Rodriguez is a co-founder of ATX Grand Prix Club, Texas’ fastest-growing motorsports community. Her extensive background in marketing includes experiences creating UGC content for household names across the lifestyle, sports, fashion, & beauty industries such as Fabletics, Aero, innisfree, Urban Decay, Victoria’s Secret PINK, & more. When she’s not strategizing, creating content, or coordinating partnerships for ATX GPC, she’s an active climber, Fabletics partner rep, and supports brands through pop-ups and festivals. Her work in hospitality, social media, and connecting with various communities, allows her to meet and know more and more people around Austin. María is driven by connecting everyone together surrounding similar passions and making the best memories together.

Julia Wezio

Co-Founder

Julia Wezio is a creative strategist and motorsport community builder based in Austin, TX. She currently leads global media strategy in her "9 to 5" at a major gaming publisher and is the co-founder of ATX Grand Prix Club, Texas’ fastest-growing motorsport community. Her work sits at the intersection of fandom, culture, and marketing, with a track record of elevating rising voices, shaping fan-first campaigns, and turning grassroots events into cultural impact. Whether she’s producing watch parties, leading international product launches, or advising other emerging creators, Julia is driven by spaces where people feel seen, inspired, and part of the story.

Brazos

More Analog, Less Noise Please: City Builders Meet Up

Understanding Crypto: Conversations for the Curious Meet Up

Motorsport is having a cultural breakthrough from mainstream moments like Drive to Survive and the F1 Movie to sim racing, TikTok fandoms, and grassroots club culture. However, most spaces still center the same legacy voices. This Meetup brings together fans, creators, marketers, and community builders who are shaping what motorsport looks like next. Whether you're growing a following, building a brand, or simply finding your people, this is a space to connect, share stories, and spotlight rising voices across all motorsport passion points.

BEYOND THE GRID: MOTORSPORT CULTURE MEET UP


Beyond the Gatekeepers: The Impact of Grassroots Communities

Carolyn Page

Co-founder

Carolyn Ortiz is a dynamic music executive with over 15 years of experience at the intersection

of music, brand partnerships, and the creator economy. A passionate advocate for a more

equitable and sustainable industry, she is also an award-winning mentor committed to

supporting both emerging artists and creative professionals.

Carolyn is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Big.Ass.Kids (B.A.K)—a full-scale

music ecosystem offering distribution, artist services, and a vibrant community hub. In 2024, she

spearheaded the launch of The B.A.K Play.Ground, a platform connecting artists, agencies, and

labels with a vetted network of music professionals. Most recently, she introduced The B.A.K

Sandbox, a 501(c)(3) initiative supporting music workers affected by industry layoffs.

In addition to her leadership at B.A.K, Carolyn serves on the board of Mamas in Music and

actively mentors through programs including NYU's Clive Davis Institute, She Is the Music, and

Femme It Forward.

Paulina Vo

Co-Founder at Highnote, Co-Founder & General Manager at The Digilogue  Highnote

Paulina Vo is a builder, community leader, and artist working at the intersection of music, tech, and culture. She is the Co-Founder of Highnote, a collaboration platform for audio creators, and the Co-Founder and GM of The Digilogue, a global BIPOC-led music and tech community. A first-generation Việt Kiều, she builds tools and spaces that empower creative communities. With over a decade of leadership experience across music tech and SaaS companies—including Squarespace, Songtrust, and Teachable, Paulina brings deep operational expertise to her work. She is also an indie musician and founder of Soda Chanh Music House, where she writes, produces music. Across every role, Paulina is focused on empowering creatives, scaling community, and reimagining the future of the music industry.

Nick Maiale

Founder & CEO

Nick Maiale - Founder & CEO of jump.global – a company that works with music business execs and companies to help grow their personal and professional brands in the areas of panel speaking and thought leadership, organization & community involvement, academic relations, and global impact. In 2023, he launched the company’s Annual Summit, which is part retreat/conference and focuses on the development of executives and music business humans that make it spin. His mission is to have the music industry further focus on the development of its executives in order to make the music business a more human place to exist. Prior, he spent 10 years at the Music Business Association/Conference, where he started as an intern, ultimately leading to various roles in strategic development within the org.

Lauren Blitzer

Co-Founder, Lone Wolves Club

Lauren Blitzer-Wright (former VP of BD at Sony Music) is a dynamic  leader with a passion for building authentic brands and driving meaningful growth. With over 15 years of experience in entertainment, lifestyle marketing, and business development, she brings a creative, data-informed approach to every initiative. Known for her collaborative spirit and strategic vision, Lauren thrives at the intersection of culture, storytelling, and business results.  She is currently the GM of Keychange US and is the Founder and CEO of the Lone Wolves Community, a 500+ organization of executives and talent within the music/tech/entertainment space.  She resides in NYC with her wife and twin boys.

Capitol Ballroom E

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Tour Support 2.0: How Mental Health is Reshaping Live Music

From Streams to Strategy: The Label Services Evolution

Rock’s Biggest Promoter on the Future of Festivals

Music Nostalgia: The Secret Weapon in Modern Advertising

The music industry is undergoing a massive restructure, but a new, healthier model is emerging. This panel unites leaders from LWC, BAK, jump.global, and digilogue to reveal how grassroots communities are reshaping the industry. We'll explore their profound impact on members' mental health, career growth, and the creation of new opportunities. This session will demonstrate that when gatekeepers fail, a better, more supportive, and thriving music industry can be built through collective action.

BEYOND THE GATEKEEPERS: THE IMPACT OF GRASSROOTS COMMUNITIES


Wired for Change: How AI Is Supercharging Clean Energy

Alfred Johnson

Co-Founder & Ceo

Alfred Johnson is Co-Founder and CEO of Crux, the capital platform for the clean economy.

Before founding Crux, Alfred served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the US Department of the Treasury. Prior to Treasury, Alfred was Co-Founder and CEO of Mobilize, which was acquired by EveryAction in 2020.

Earlier in his career, Alfred was a Vice President in Financial Markets Advisory at BlackRock, Senior Advisor for Financial Markets at the US Treasury, and Special Assistant to the White House Chief of Staff.

Kevin Knobloch

President

Kevin Knobloch is President of Knobloch Energy, providing strategic guidance to clean energy companies and organizations. Previously, he was President of New York OceanGrid LLC, leading offshore wind transmission development, and served as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Energy under Secretary Ernest Moniz. He was President of the Union of Concerned Scientists for ten years and began his career as a newspaper journalist. Knobloch served on the National Commission on Grid Resilience and boards of the Northeast Clean Energy Council and National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium. He holds an MPA from Harvard's Kennedy School and a BA from UMass Amherst.

Aoife McCarthy

Executive Vice President

Aoife leads SKDK's Energy and Clean Technology practice, helping organizations navigate regulatory landscapes and develop strategic campaigns. Previously, she handled federal policy communications for Instacart and served in the Obama administration as Director of Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy and Communications Director at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, where she managed messaging for Iran nuclear negotiations and climate agreements. She began her career as a POLITICO reporter and political consultant, earning two Pollie Awards. Aoife holds a BA from George Washington University and an MBA from Presidio Graduate School.

Allison Holly

AVP Business Development

Allison Holly is Senior Director of Market Strategy and Market Intelligence at Pattern Energy, driving the company's approach to identifying and evaluating market opportunities across North America. She brings 15 years of experience in clean energy strategy, marketing, and sales roles at GE Onshore Wind and The Climate Group North America. Allison holds a Bachelor's degree and an MBA from the University of Chicago, as well as a Master's degree in Climate and Society from Columbia University. She has lived and worked globally across China, India, Africa, the UK, and the United States, bringing an international perspective to North American energy markets.

Room 201-202

Rewriting the Rules of Business: A Guide to Purpose & Profit

The Geography of Prosperity: A New Map for Resilient Cities

Saving Monarchs With Machine Learning and Computer Vision

Where Climate Science Meets Industry Innovation

The transition to renewable energy systems presents unprecedented challenges for power system reliability and financial stability during the integration of clean energy sources. AI technology transforms the ability of utilities and investors and technologists to predict renewable energy output while maintaining grid stability and securing funding for advanced energy infrastructure. The panel unites experts from the technology and finance sectors with industry professionals and policymakers to examine AI's practical effects on future energy systems.

WIRED FOR CHANGE: HOW AI IS SUPERCHARGING CLEAN ENERGY


Who Owns Me? Legal War Over Identity in the Creator Economy

Michelle O'Neil

CEO

Michelle May O’Neil is a nationally recognized attorney, strategist, and media voice on the intersection of law, identity, and innovation. Named by Fox Business News as an expert in the evolving legal landscape of NIL and AI, she brings a unique blend of litigation savvy, media fluency, and cultural insight. As founder of a law firm and a thought leader at the forefront of creator economy legal issues, she translates legal complexity into cultural relevance.

Waller Ballroom A

Texas High School Shorts Screening & Q&A

From Who to What to You: The Weird AI-Infused Future of the Creator Economy

From Viral to Viable: Building IP as a Creator

Who owns your face, your voice, your following? In the creator economy, your identity is currency but also your biggest legal risk. This session exposes how influencers, founders, and professionals are losing control of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) in business disputes, brand deals, and even divorce. With deepfakes and Al cloning now part of the mix, you'll learn how to lockdown your identity before someone else monetizes it. If you are the brand, you better own it. Your face may be famous, but it's also vulnerable.

WHO OWNS ME? LEGAL WAR OVER IDENTITY IN THE CREATOR ECONOMY


When the Future Dies: Ritualizing Grief + Joy

Juli Rush

Adjunct Faculty in Foresight Grad Program

Juli Rush is an educator and administrator in Houston, Texas. She is also a certified death doula and foresight strategist, with a focus on partnering futures with death and grief processing. She serves in the University of Houston's Foresight Program where she is an adjunct professor.

Juli received her dual BA in Sociology and Theology from Houston Christian University, her MS in Foresight at the University of Houston, Graduate Certificate in Thanatology from Hood College, and Death Doula training through INELDA.

Salon E

Turning Up the Heat: Climate Content That Clicks

Growing Intelligence: Youth, AI, and the Future of Ag

Mall Rats Reborn: How Hot Topic is Using Entertainment to Revitalise Retail

Culture Under Fire: Storytelling for Public Power

How to Win Friends and Overthrow Systems

Building on last year's session 'Putting Endings in Our Beginnings', Juli Rush continues sharing her research on how we might ritualize both joy + grief as individuals and collectives to build more resilient systems. Bringing her work as a futurist, researcher at the University of Houston, and as a death doula, Juli shares both ancient and new rituals to employ within a chaotic and complex world. This work focuses on disrupting our business-as-usual world to build futures that see endings as new possibilities for the future.

WHEN THE FUTURE DIES: RITUALIZING GRIEF + JOY


Unreasonable by Nature: The Psychology of Consumer Choice

Keisha Cutright

Associate Professor of Marketing

Dr. Keisha Cutright is a Professor of Marketing at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.  Her research explores fundamental drivers of consumer behavior, such as personal control, religion, and self-care, and the implications of such for brand-building and consumer welfare.

Cutright has published her research in top-tier academic journals and currently serves as an Associate Editor for two of the leading consumer research journals, the Journal of Marketing Research and the Journal of Consumer Psychology. Popular accounts of her work have been covered by outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Science Daily, NewsWeek, TIME, and Fast Company. Prior to her career in academia, Cutright worked in brand management at P&G.

Alix Barasch

University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business

Associate Professor of Marketing

Alix Barasch is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She holds a Ph.D. in marketing from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Duke University.
Dr. Barasch’s research focuses on how new technologies fundamentally reshape consumer behavior and well-being. She has numerous publications in both scholarly and managerial journals, has served as an associate editor or on the editorial board of several leading marketing and psychology journals, and has received many field-level distinctions including the Early Career Award from the Association for Consumer Research.

Ryan Hamilton

Goizueta Business School, Emory University

Associate Professor of Marketing

Associate Professor of Marketing at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Ryan Hamilton is an award-winning teacher and researcher, Ryan’s research on pricing, branding, and customer experience have been covered in Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and The Financial Times. He has consulted with Walmart, FedEx, Home Depot, Caterpillar, ConAgra, Cigna, Visa, and Ipsos, among others, and has been a keynote speaker on various topics in marketing. Ryan co-authored a book and co-hosts a podcast, both called “The Intuitive Customer,” which apply the insights from consumer psychology to effectively managing customer experiences. He also recently co-authored “The Growth Dilemma: Managing Your Brand When Different Customers Want Different Things.”

Tom Denari

President & CEO

Tom Denari is President & CEO of Young & Laramore, an independent advertising agency based in Indianapolis. For more than 30 years, he’s helped lead strategic and creative work for brands like DEWALT, Goodwill, Cummins, Brizo, and Steak ‘n Shake. He developed Y&L’s Unspoken Brand Strategy Process, which combines behavioral science and emotional insight to uncover the real drivers behind consumer decisions. His writing on brand strategy and consumer behavior has appeared in Ad Age, Adweek, and Forbes. In 2019, Tom launched Unreasonable: A Modern Look at Consumer Motivations, an annual conference that brings together marketers and behavioral scientists. He holds a degree from Wabash College and an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Waterloo Ballroom 4-6

The B Word: How to Get Creative with Marketing Budget

Meet Gen Alpha: Defying Predictions & Rewiring Marketing

Launching the Ultimate, Research-Driven Creative Power Playbook

Pride Preview '26: Marketers, LGBTQ+ & Where We Go From Here

As much as we'd like to think that splurgy new car and our Prime Day shopping carts are the fruits of reason, purchases big and small aren’t governed by logic. People purchase based on who they are, how they feel and what surrounds them at the time. Humans are 'Unreasonable by Nature,' and this panel will illustrate how to grow brands by aligning with the true psychological drivers of consumer decisions. Expert academics from leading American business schools, Ryan Hamilton, Alix Barasch and Keisha Cutright, will explore how rational marketing tactics often fail where unreasonable appeals win.

UNREASONABLE BY NATURE: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CONSUMER CHOICE


How to Not Screw Up Your Startup–Answering Legal Questions

Christopher Palermo

Intellectual Property Partner

I am a versatile intellectual property attorney with over 30 years of experience in IP development, primarily focused on computer technology. My expertise includes patent risk analysis, software patents, international brand clearance, trademark procurement, copyright clearance, licensing, and technology agreements. As a Silicon Valley native with in-house experience, I advise C-level executives on IP management and cost control, working with high-tech startups and multinational companies.

Recently, I have drafted patents for applied AI/ML technologies, covering areas such as NLP, topic modeling, grammatical error checking, software development tools, network management, TCP/BGP protocols, streaming media, spam handling, backup systems, VoIP, speech recognition, cryptography, office automation, 3D graphics, digital imaging, e-supply chain management, and payment card processing.

In terms of agreements, I have experience in financial services, joint marketing, entertainment industry representation, software development, and open-source licensing (BSD, LGPL, GPL 2.0). My trademark work includes managing over 100 worldwide applications for a major musical instrument manufacturer, overseeing international infringement litigation for a streaming video service, and negotiating concurrent use agreements.

Notable projects also include claim risk analysis, pre-litigation advice, anonymous patent acquisitions, chairing patent review committees, managing the prosecution of over 1,000 applications for a large networking company, negotiating software licenses, and handling USPTO trademark disputes. I am a registered patent attorney.

Ariel House

Litigation Partner

Ariel House is a trial lawyer who helps companies of all sizes navigate complex business and IP issues. Known for clear communication and practical judgment, she supports startups in avoiding litigation, resolving disputes efficiently, and advocating in trials and appeals. Ariel has litigated high-profile cofounder disputes involving billion-dollar startups and secured substantial settlements. She also advises on marketing, advertising, and labeling compliance, drawing on her strategic storytelling in high-stakes contract, partnership, fraud, and IP cases.

Salon C

Launch with 0 Investors: A Playbook for Crowdfunding in 2026

Missionary Misfits: Why Not Belonging Makes You Build Better

How to Raise $$$ From Angel Groups: What We Really Look For

The Next Five Years of Private Markets: What Founders Can’t Afford to Miss

Startup-savvy attorneys bring their real-world experience to SXSW in a fast-paced legal Q&A packed with insight, strategy, and storytelling. From navigating AI patents and trademark showdowns to managing sketchy investors and sudden privacy crises, they’ll tackle complex legal issues with humor and clarity. Attendees get tailored advice, practical tools, and a Startup Legal Survival Kit—no billable hours required. Think speed-dating, but for the legal hurdles every founder faces.

HOW TO NOT SCREW UP YOUR STARTUP?ANSWERING LEGAL QUESTIONS


AI Killed Your Website Traffic (And What to do About it)

Steph Smith

Senior Director of Growth

Steph is a growth marketer, indie creator, and data fanatic. She started her career in tech at Toptal, where she led their 20-person publications team reaching millions of readers. Following that, she went on to lead Trends at the Hustle, which was acquired by HubSpot, where she spearheaded HubSpot Creators, including their growing Podcast Network. Steph went on to host the a16z Podcast at Andreessen Horowitz, and now hosts her own podcast with her husband, called: The Sh** You Don't Learn in School!

In her spare time, Steph loves tinkering with new projects. She is a self-taught developer, author of Doing Content Right and is currently involved with her latest project - Internet Pipes.

Kipp Bodnar

Chief Marketing Officer

Kipp Bodnar is CMO of HubSpot, where he leads global marketing strategy to drive awareness and demand. Previously, he served as VP of Marketing, building international teams and leading demand gen, field marketing, and partnerships. Kipp advises several SaaS companies and is coauthor of The B2B Social Media Book. A recognized speaker and blogger, he holds a BA in Journalism from Marshall University.

Waterloo Ballroom 3

Hsu Untied: Beyond Numbers: Decision-Making in the Math Classroom

The Learning Geeks: How to Think When Machines Think Faster

Chalk & Gavel: Navigating the Tides of an Education Law Sea Change

Beyond Voting: Defending Truth in Education: AI, Equity, & Power

Forget Moments Marketing: Welcome to Worldbuilding

Marketing is experiencing its most significant disruption in 20 years. With 60% of searches resulting in no clicks and AI set to overtake traditional search by 2028, the old playbook is expired. From the creators of inbound marketing, join HubSpot CMO Kipp Bodnar and growth strategist Steph Smith for a special live recording of the podcast, “Marketing Against the Grain,” where they’ll unveil a new methodology to help businesses shift from controlling traffic to maximizing conversion, from providing answers to enabling actions, and from mass marketing to AI-personalization at scale.

AI KILLED YOUR WEBSITE TRAFFIC (AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT)