Brains & Bots: Evolving the Future of Intelligence Together

Heather Collins, PhD

Cognitive Neuroscientist, Innovation curator, Peak Performance Expert

Dr. Heather Collins is a keynote speaker and Cognitive Neuroscientist, Ph.D., from Charleston, South Carolina, who transforms brain science into practical tools for leadership, innovation, and human performance in the age of AI. Her 2024 SXSW presentation and three energetic TEDx talks reveal how to turn brain science research into real-world action. She has 50+ prestigious academic journal publications, such as the New England Journal of Medicine and PNAS, and MRI brain research projects ranging from Alzheimer’s Disease to changes in NASA astronauts’ brains. Dr. Collins shows leaders and organizations how to rewire their thinking, harness brain-based strategies, and transform attention, memory, and curiosity into powerful tools for innovation, growth, and peak performance.

Neil Redding

Near Futurist, Founder + CEO

By skillfully connecting the possible with the practical, Neil Redding is a Near Futurist and Innovation Architect with 30+ years of experience in unlocking the transformative power of emerging technologies. A sought-after keynote speaker for venues like SXSW, Dubai Future Forum, and Universo TOTVS, and at corporate events for Meta, Microsoft, Edelman, and more, Neil inspires audiences with the reality-shifting capabilities of AI and spatial computing for our physical, digital and natural ecosystems, and for realizing pragmatic interpersonal and business value. Through his boutique consultancy Redding Futures and previous roles, Neil has worked with world-class brands including Visa, Nike, Apple, and Verizon to distill these continually emerging possibilities, applying ecosystem-centered design to unlock sustainable growth, resilience, and transformative business opportunity.

Julissa Germosen

Tech Executive, Author, Human Connection & AI Leadership Expert

Julissa S. Germosen is a visionary brand strategist, speaker, and founder of Mariposa Blanca, LLC and LatinaMadrina.com. With over 20 years of experience in tech and AI, she brings a future-focused lens to brand building—bridging cultural storytelling with emerging innovation. Julissa empowers Latina entrepreneurs to craft authentic, impactful narratives that resonate. Her dynamic presence, strategic insight, and dedication to inclusive leadership have made her a sought-after voice in branding, digital empowerment, and the evolution of identity in tech spaces.

Dan Chuparkoff

AI Educator & Innovation Expert - ex-Google Leader

Dan Chuparkoff is a globally recognized keynote speaker, AI educator, and innovation strategist with 30+ years leading transformative teams at Google, McKinsey, Atlassian, and more. Known for translating complex technologies into actionable insights, Dan empowers organizations to thrive in an AI-powered future. His engaging talks blend humor, interactivity, and practical tactics for reinventing work, sparking creativity, and driving sustainable growth. Billions use the software he helped build—now they’re discovering his keynote.

Salon D

Designing the Future of Human Performance

The Companies Building and Automating Space's Superhighway

What AI Agents Are Doing While You're Not Watching

The New Lab Partner: AI and Future Scientific Discovery

Humanoid Robots Are Clocking In: Meet Who’s Putting Them To Work

Does offloading thinking to AI cause cognitive atrophy or free our brains to think about more complex problems? That’s the million-neuron question. This provocative panel explores “adaptive intelligence”, where human and machine learning loops converge. A neuroscientist, futurist, and AI visionary unpack how co-learning systems, neuromorphic design, and spatial computing can amplify creativity, decision-making, and human agency in a world where algorithms don’t just support us, they shape us.

BRAINS & BOTS: EVOLVING THE FUTURE OF INTELLIGENCE TOGETHER


Tesh Mbaabu

Co-Founder & CEO

Tesh Mbaabu is a serial technology entrepreneur creating solutions at the intersection of commerce and fintech, reimagining how money flows to unlock growth and economic opportunities for millions across Africa. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Cloud9, a digital bank for Africa’s youth offering payments, savings, credit and investments in one powerful app that rewards how they live, spend, and shop. Previously, he co-founded MarketForce, a B2B commerce marketplace for informal merchants in Africa to easily source, order, and pay for inventory and access financing. He led the business expansion across 5 markets in Sub-Saharan Africa following a $40M Series A investment, with over 270,000 merchants and 100 consumer brands trading on the platform. Tesh has been featured on Forbes Africa 30 Under 30, Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 Men in Kenya, Top Charts Africa’s 100 Most Influential Business People, and is a Top 10 Africa Business Heroes finalist.

Andrew Leon Hanna

Co-Founder & CEO

Andrew Leon Hanna is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, lawyer, and professor whose work centers on expanding economic opportunity and financial inclusion. He is the co-founder of Mona, an AI-powered fintech platform that connects underbanked small business entrepreneurs to affordable capital. Hanna is the author of "25 Million Sparks: The Untold Story of Refugee Entrepreneurs" (Cambridge University Press), named a Financial Times Best Book of the Year and winner of the Bracken Bower Prize, and the co-creator of "DreamxAmerica," a PBS film on immigrant entrepreneurs nominated for a Chicago Emmy® Award. He is a professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and was previously at McKinsey & Company, the White House, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Hanna serves on the Kiva U.S. Advisory Board and is a senior fellow at Social Finance. He holds a JD from Harvard Law School, an MBA from Stanford GSB, and an AB from Duke University.

Room 412

Agents vs Managers: When are you ready to be signed and by who?

The Price of Influence: Why Undefined Value Kills Trust

10 Truths About Technology That Are Shaping Your Life

Tackling the “snakes” undermining digital rights

"Access to Capital for the World's Underbanked Entrepreneurs" will be a creative discussion centered on how to expand financial access for underbanked and underserved entrepreneurs around the world – helping to create local jobs and economic mobility for founders from Detroit to Nairobi to the Za'atari refugee camp and beyond. Two award-winning social entrepreneurs and human rights leaders will discuss their work on the ground in the U.S., Africa, and Asia to connect women, refugee, and low-income individuals to the capital they need to launch and grow life-changing micro-enterprises.

ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR THE WORLD'S UNDERBANKED ENTREPRENEURS


The Age of Sameness

Gulay Ozkan

Founder

Salon A

The Creative Power of Letting Go: Why Quitting Can Be Your Biggest Breakthrough

Charmageddon: Robots That Steal Hearts and Jobs

Shortchanged: Gen Z, the Economy, and Brands

SWIFTYNOMICS: How Women Mastermind and Redefine Our Economy

We go to the same cafés, follow the same glossy lists, and sit in front of the same Netflix queue. Now we are also beginning to think the same, shaped in part by AI tools. Sameness has a long history. What began as a primal need for safety became structural with the Industrial Revolution, shaped by markets, politics, and broadcast culture. Algorithms accelerated this process, compressing cognition. Together, these forces have eroded the conditions for human creativity by disrupting rhythm. Sameness runs so deep that we feel it, but cannot name it. The Age of Sameness maps this crisis.


From Pitch to Pilot: How Corporates Partner and Build

Daniel Rodriguez Siller

Corporate Venturing Director

Daniel Rodríguez Siller leads corporate venture and innovation strategy at Arca Continental, one of The Coca-Cola Company's largest global bottlers, operating across the U.S. and Latin America. Drawing on extensive experience in global consumer products, he builds and scales partnerships between startups and enterprise teams to turn emerging technologies into measurable business impact. He holds an ALM in Management from Harvard University and is passionate about shaping the future of large organizations by partnering with bold entrepreneurs and scaling ideas that redefine how companies grow.

Antoine Woods

Sr Lead, Innovation

Antoine began his career as a programmer, evolved into an entrepreneur, and later became a venture capitalist. Today, he leads global innovation efforts at Chick-fil-A, where he applies his deep experience in early-stage entrepreneurship and technology ecosystems to build scalable solutions. As a speaker and advisor, Antoine helps founders navigate the complexities of launching and growing startups, offering both strategic insight and practical support to drive long-term success.

Tiffany Johnson

Director, Strategic Startups

Tiffany Johnson is Director of Startup Engagement at Microsoft, where she helps early-stage founders navigate the path to scale through corporate partnerships and strategic resources. With a cross-sector background spanning Amazon Web Services, venture capital, and nonprofit leadership, Tiffany brings deep expertise in business development, inclusive innovation, and founder support. She also serves as a Venture Fellow at BLCK VC and an angel investor, driving impact across the startup ecosystem.

Stefanie Diaz

Principal Of Innovation And Venture Strategy

Stefanie brings a venture investor’s eye to corporate innovation with deep expertise in closing healthcare gaps and driving representation. As Principal of Innovation and Venture Strategy at Catalyst by Wellstar, she works at the intersection of capital, care delivery, and emerging tech—actively shaping how one of Georgia’s largest health systems builds and backs startups. Stefanie’s track record includes evaluating and structuring investments that challenge the status quo, making her a strong voice on how to align innovation with equity, outcomes, and real-world value.

Salon E

The Creative Economy is Thriving: Why Founders Keep Building for Creators

The Lucky 10%: CPGs Flipping Off the Startup Failure Rate

The Art of Scaling Your Startup Without Venture Capital

Who Owns What: The State of Startups & Top Trends to Watch

Now is Japan's Time: Leading the Future with Deep Tech

Startups are often pitched on “strategic partnerships” with large companies, but most never progress beyond a pilot. This panel features innovation leaders from a healthcare innovation and venture arm, a mobility and sustainability-focused enterprise, and a national restaurant brand redefining service through digital innovation. Together, they’ll unpack how corporates build new ventures, and what it takes for founders to gain traction and create lasting value with enterprise partners.

FROM PITCH TO PILOT: HOW CORPORATES PARTNER AND BUILD


Chandler Levack

Chandler Levack grew up in Burlington, Ontario and lives in Toronto, where she studied cinema at the University of Toronto and screenwriting at the Canadian Film Centre.

She started her career as a music critic, writing for SPIN, The Village Voice and The Globe & Mail. She has directed numerous music videos for bands that include PUP and Jeremy Dutcher, earning two JUNO nominations.

In 2022, Levack's debut as a writer/director I LIKE MOVIES, premiered at TIFF in 2022. The film is a coming of age comedy and is based on her experiences working at Blockbuster Video in the early 2000's. It was named to TIFF’s annual year-end Canada’s Top Ten list for 2022 and won four awards at the Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards 2022 (including best Film and best Screenplay).

Chandler is currently in post on the Netflix/Happy Madison feature ROOMMATES, written by Jimmy Fowlie and Ceara O’Sullivan, and starring Sadie Sandler. Her second feature, MILE END KICKS, will premiere as the opening night film of TIFF's Special Presentations lineup this year. The film is based on Levack's experiences as a young female rock critic living in Montreal’s Mile End,  at the time when Grimes and Mac DeMarco were beginning their careers. It stars Barbie Ferreira, Jay Baruchel, Devon Bostick and Stanley Simons.

Alamo Lamar 9

Your Attention Please

Health/Disability/Illness
Politics
Technology
Social Issue

Time and Water

Archival Materials Courtesy of Andri Snær Magnason

Grace Pine, a driven though easily distracted 23-year-old. She leaves her quirky parents’ home for a shared apartment found on Craigslist to devote herself to writing the next great book in the 33 1/3 album exploration series. Hers will be on the iconic Alanis Morissette opus Jagged Little Pill. Loft parties introduce Grace to two paramours. Unfortunately, they are members of the same rock band, Bone Patrol. And instead of sequestering herself away to complete her draft, she uses her music industry know-how to get in with the band as their publicist.Through wine-fuelled poetry readings and other ill-advised choices, Grace is in the trenches of self-discovery.

Mile End Kicks

A 24-year-old music critic gets romantically involved with members of an indie band she decides to publicize, set against Montreal's indie music scene in 2011.

Barbie Ferreira, Devon Bostick, Stanley Simons, Juliette Gariépy, Jay Baruchel


Brian McElhaney

BriTANicK is the comedy duo of Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher, childhood friends who have been making stuff together for over 20 years. Their first short film Eagles Are Turning People Into Horses premiered at the SXSW Festival in 2010. Since then, they have written for Saturday Night Live and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In addition to Pizza Movie, they wrote Over Your Dead Body (also premiering at SXSW).

Alamo Lamar 4

My NDA

African American
Legal
LGBTQ
Politics
Social Issues
Women
Social Issue

Cookie Queens

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

Courtesy of Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films

The Life We Leave

Business/Entrepreneurial
Environment
Social Issue

It’s a Friday night and college students Jack and Montgomery have got big plans: They’re going to do drugs and order pizza. But when the home-made drug they ingest turns out to be MUCH wilder than they thought, the simple journey down two flights of stairs to retrieve their pie becomes a mind-bindingly transformative quest. Still though, how hard can it be? The only thing in their way is a broken elevator, Montgomery’s social anxiety, the fact that everybody in the school hates Jack, a sociopathic RA, a vengeful butterfly, a robot with a dream, and this insane drug that has absolutely no regard for the basic laws of reality.

Pizza Movie

A group of college students go downstairs to their dorm lobby to get a delivery pizza. There’s only one issue: They’re insanely high on a home-made drug, turning their simple journey down two sets of stairs into a mind-bendingly transformative quest.

Jeremy Garelick
Will Phelps
Billy Rosenberg
Jason Zaro
Molle DeBartolo
Max A. Butler
Matt Whelan

Gaten Matarazzo, Sean Giambrone, Lulu Wilson, Jack Martin, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Marcus Scribner, Caleb Hearon, Sarah Sherman, Miguel-Andres Garcia, Justin Cooley

Co-Producer: John Sylva, Associate Producer: Axelle Azoulay, Associate Producer: Matt Sacca


Ken Kwapis

Ken Kwapis has directed eleven feature films, among them A Walk In The Woods, Big Miracle, He’s Just Not That Into You, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird. Kwapis helped launch nine television series, including The Larry Sanders Show, The Bernie Mac Show, Outsourced, and The Office.

Alamo Lamar 8

Dead Deer High

Education
Social Issues
The Arts/Theater
Youth/Teen

Three sisters from rural New Hampshire formed a band in the late 1960s, but not by choice. Betty, Dorothy, and Helen Wiggin had no interest in playing music. In fact, they had no musical abilities at all. It was their father Austin, inspired by a prophecy, who became convinced that his girls would become rock stars. He pulled his daughters out of school, bought them a pair of cheap guitars and a drum kit, dubbed them The Shaggs, and basically commanded them to make music. In 1969, he brought the girls to a storefront recording studio outside of Boston, and the result is one of the most head-scratching and polarizing albums ever committed to vinyl. "We Are The Shaggs" is their story.

We Are The Shaggs

"We Are The Shaggs" is a music documentary about The Shaggs, an all-girl band that created some of the most provocative and polarizing music in rock-and-roll history.

Publicist #1 - Jeff Sanderson / Publicist #2 - Justin Solar

Dorothy Wiggin as herself, Betty Wiggin as herself


Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story

Judd Apatow

Judd Apatow is a renowned comedic director, whose previous credits include the Emmy award-winning documentary The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. He produced the Oscar-nominated The Big Sick and Bridesmaids, as well as Superbad, Pineapple Express and Anchorman.

Neil Berkeley

Neil Berkeley is an Emmy-nominated director and producer known for his inventive, heartfelt documentaries including Gilbert, Beauty Is Embarrassing, and Harmontown. His work blends humor, honesty, and visual flair to reveal the creative struggles behind extraordinary artists.

State Theatre

The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist

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

American Sign Language
Closed captioned
Subtitles

Blurring the line between performance and personal crisis, comedian Maria Bamford turns her mental health journey into material that’s riotously funny and ultimately inspiring. What emerges is a portrait of an artist transforming vulnerability into creative strength through honesty.

PARALYZED BY HOPE: THE MARIA BAMFORD STORY

A raw exploration of comic Maria Bamford who mines her own pain for comedy, blurring the line between performance and personal crisis.

Josh Church
Olivia Rosenbloom
Wayne Federman

Judd Apatow
Neil Berkeley
Amanda Rohlke
David Heiman

Archival Producer: Austin Wilkin, Archival Producer: Alexandra Margolin, Assistant Editor: Zachariah Daly, Additional Editing by: Mo Stoebe, Additional Editing by: Jake Hostetter, Office PA: Anni Spacek


Rachael J Morrison

Rachael Morrison is a documentary filmmaker and archival producer. Her short documentary, "Elvers," premiered at the 2019 Camden International Film Festival and is featured online as part of The Atlantic Selects. She has worked as an archival producer on documentary series and feature films for HBO, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount Plus, and FX. "Joybubbles" is her feature-length directorial debut.

Violet Crown 2

Agridulce (Bittersweet)

Education
Indigenous Culture
International
Latino
Social Issues
Children
Developing World
Social Issue
Youth/Teen

Closed captioned
Subtitles
Audio description

A boy discovers he can control the global telephone system by whistling a magic tone. Born blind and yearning for connection, his early obsession with the telephone sparks a subculture that shapes the future of hacking and technology.

Joybubbles

Cameo Wood
Rhianon Jones
Tristan Scott-Behrends
Roman Nesis
Adora Cheung
Kyra Rogers
Todd Remis
George Rush


SXSW Innovation Clubhouse

Innovation Clubhouse

Vibrating Music Hammocks

Parker Hertzberger - Multisensory sound installations

The historic Brazos Hall is the official Innovation Clubhouse for 2026. It's the perfect place to connect with attendees looking to gain insights and inspiration from like-minded conference-goers. Each day the Innovation Clubhouse will host meetups and networking events as well as activations.


SXSW Film & TV Clubhouse

The Film & TV Clubhouse is located at 800 Congress Ave, just steps away from the Paramount Theatre, where some of the most exciting screenings of the Festival are set to premiere. It will serve as the home base for the film community to gather, discuss, and network. Each day the Film & TV Clubhouse will host meetups and networking events as well as activations.


SXSW Music Clubhouse

Music Clubhouse

Artist Demo Listening Session (Pop) Part 1 Presented by Discovr Radio

The Music Clubhouse is located at The Downright Austin. Perfect for networking and industry connections, the Clubhouse will also feature live performances at Radio Day Stage and mentor sessions. It’s also the perfect spot to access most of our music venues by foot or a quick rideshare. Each day the Music Clubhouse will host meetups and networking events as well as activations.


High Score Game Arcade presents the Worldwide Tic-Tac-Toe Championship

The Worldwide Tic Tac Toe Championship comes to its final, high-stakes moment at SXSW. After months of play across cities and communities around the world, this activation marks the culmination of a global tournament—bringing finalists, fans, and curious passersby together for live competition, spectacle, and celebration. Simple rules, universal appeal, and unexpected intensity converge in one last showdown where strategy, speed, and bragging rights are decided in real time.

More information here: highscoregamearcade.com

HIGH SCORE GAME ARCADE PRESENTS THE WORLDWIDE TIC-TAC-TOE CHAMPIONSHIP


Paramount+ The Lodge

The Paramount+ Lodge returns with the ultimate fan experience, offering an unforgettable and immersive journey that lets guests engage with hit content, iconic franchises and live championship sports. Back for its fourth consecutive year, the Lodge takes over Clive Bar on Austin’s Rainey Street, transporting fans and new audiences into the worlds of their favorite series and sports on Paramount+.


Vibrating Music Hammocks

The Music Hammock transforms its fabric into a speaker, resonating your body with the frequencies of the music so you feel as if you’re lying inside a sound system.
In our fast-paced society, we often disconnect from our bodies. This installation offers a full-body listening experience, shifting your attention from mental chatter into physical awareness. Experience sound not only through your ears, but through your entire body.
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For the Students Meet Up

Kahlil Levy

Head of Student Experience

Kahlil Levy is the Head of Student Experience at For the Students, working hand-in-hand with FTS students & university partners to open up the music industry to aspiring professionals & artists. He brings 7 years of industry experience and a portfolio of Grammy-winning clients and cutting-edge music companies to his work with students and artists.

Cassandra Lutz

Enrollment Representative

Cassandra Lutz is the Enrollment Representative for For the Students and a proud Baylor University grad with a degree in Marketing. Originally from Houston and now living in Austin, Cassandra loves helping people find the right opportunities. She also works in guest services for concerts and events at the Moody Center, where she gets to be part of creating unforgettable live experiences.

Following How to Get the Job: Building a Career in Music, FTS will open doors for a casual mixer and industry networking session. FTS team members will be on the ground alongside panelists Sofia Martinez (WME) and Philip Payne (Plan A Consulting). With Philip serving as the professor behind FTS' Music Business Foundations program and Sofia being an alumni of the program herself, this will be a good-spirited community meet-up where badge-holders from across the music industry can connect, swap stories, and chop it up about their individual pathways into the space.


Daughters of the Forest: Mycelium Chronicles

Otilia Portillo Padua

Mexican director. She studied architecture at Cambridge University and the Architectural Association, London. Her works include Three Voices, which premiered at SXSW and the Netflix short documentary Birders. She is a grant recipient of the FONCA, IMCINE, the Sundance Institute, the Redford Center, Artist Accelerator and the Doc Society.

Daughters of the Forest is a story of entanglements: between humans and mushrooms; the visible and the invisible; generational knowledge and modern science. This sci-fi documentary invites us to reconsider the experiences of both human and non-human inhabitants of our world.

We follow Lis and Juli, two young scientists from indigenous communities that have long lived in symbiosis with the many mushrooms in their regions. The world they know is changing, and their pursuits are threatened by deforestation, lack of opportunity, and loss. Still, they share how mushrooms show us different possibilities of coexistence, helping them overcome obstacles to reshape their lives and futures.

DAUGHTERS OF THE FOREST: MYCELIUM CHRONICLES

Deep in Mexico’s forests, this immersive sci-fi doc follows the unusual, fungi-driven paths of two indigenous mycologists as they seek to reconcile the past and present while reimagining the future for themselves and the changing world they inhabit.

Jessica Harrop
Caitlin Mae Burke
Maxyne Franklin

Paula Arroio
Elena Fortes
Otilia Portillo Padua

Eliseete Ramirez Carbajal, Julieta Serafina Amaya, Julia Dolores Raimundo, Zenaida Perez, Magdalena Martínez, Olivia Ayala

Post Producer: Fernando Maganda, Second Unit Camara: Miguel Labastida


Boogietraxx

Brand Partnership, Booking Agent - US, Booking Agent - UK/Europe, Booking Agent - Worldwide

As a rhythmic renovator of retro funk, Boogietraxx offers a lens into the discoverse that brought dance music to the masses but offers a uniquely soulful and modern twist.
Born in Staten Island, NY and now living in Austin, TX for the last few years, Boogietraxx, is helmed by producer/DJ Brandon Keeks who brings an array of influences in his soundscapes that feature filter house, French touch, and filter funk.

Brought up on a nutritious diet of Prince, Kashif, George Benson, Daft Punk, DJ Falcon, Romanthony, and countless others, Boogietraxx’s sound is rooted in the future with accentuated basslines and laser-guided melodies.

Fresh off of landing a #1 Nu-Disco/Disco best selling vinyl release on Juno.uk, Boogietraxx’s music has been supported by the likes of David Penn, Chromeo, Disco Dom, Don Diablo, and even had his music spun at Coachella by Barry Can’t Swim. After a busy 2025 traveling to cities like Chicago, New York City, Seattle, Madison, and more, there's no stopping where Boogie can go to next.


XOT Energy House

Downright Hotel - Creekside Room & Outdoor Patio

XOT Energy House lands at the SXSW Artist Lounge as a dynamic space built to fuel creativity. This experience invites artists and attendees to recharge with XOT Energy while connecting through music, culture, and movement. Blending vibrant fruits and high-energy moments, the XOT Energy House becomes a hub for discovery, expression, and inspiration throughout SXSW.


Keynote: Why the Future of AI Must be Human Centric

Rana el Kaliouby

Co-founder & General Partner

Dr. Rana el Kaliouby is the host of the Pioneers of AI podcast and is on a mission to humanize technology before it dehumanizes us. As the co-founder of AI startup Affectiva, with a PhD in machine learning and computer vision from Cambridge University and postdoc from MIT, she has spent over two decades as a leading innovator in AI, pioneering the field of Emotion AI. Dr. Kaliouby is a co-founder and general partner at Blue Tulip Ventures, where she invests in early stage startups building ethical AI that is good for people.

Bob Safian

Host of Rapid Response; Founder of The Flux Group; Former Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company

Bob Safian is the host of podcast Rapid Response, named by The New York Times as one of its "Podcasts for the Pandemic Era" and honored as one of the 2025 Best Business Podcasts by The Ambies. Guests on the show include CEOs from Airbnb to Hinge, GM to Khan Academy, Starbucks to the WNBA. Safian was the first editor-in-chief to put Mark Zuckerberg on a magazine cover as the leader of Fast Company, which he oversaw for eleven years. Previously Safian served as an executive editor at Fortune and at Time. As founder of The Flux Group, an advisory group driving awareness of new business practices, Safian directly counsels Fortune 100 firms, startups and nonprofits across multiple industries. An honors graduate of Brown University, Safian is married and has three sons.

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

AI scientist, entrepreneur, and investor Rana el Kaliouby has devoted her life’s work to humanizing technology before it dehumanizes us. In this conversation with journalist and podcast host Bob Safian, Dr. el Kaliouby explains what it means to keep humans at the center of the AI revolution. The next generation of AI companies will radically shift the way we work, live, and connect. How do we innovate with intention in the race ahead? Dr el Kaliouby demonstrates how to leverage the economic opportunity of AI while unlocking human potential – and solving humanity’s most challenging problems.

KEYNOTE: WHY THE FUTURE OF AI MUST BE HUMAN CENTRIC


PRIDO

British Music Embassy @ Palm Door on Sixth Patio


One World? Rethinking Cosmopolitanism

Speakeasy

German DeepTech and AI Innovation Unleashed: Day 1 at German Haus

Future in Focus: Meet Germany’s Top AI Startups

Innovation for Everyone: Day 2 at German Haus

MediaTech Morning: Breakfast, Networking & Beyond Screens – MediaTech as the New Infrastructure

This panel examines cosmopolitanism as a concept that seems outdated in times of nationalism and polarization. Teddy Cruz and Fonna Forman focus on cross-border urban projects in their work, taking a bottom-up approach, while artist Thomas Mandl addresses the topic from a top-down perspective with his One World Flag. Together, the panel will address the question of how architecture, initiatives, and symbols can promote solidarity as a lived political practice and how global belonging can be rethought today.
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German Haus

The GERMAN HAUS is the main venue of the joint German presentation at SXSW and it features a
variety of curated networking events, roundtables, presentations, and music performances, creating a unique environment for professional exchange, international networking, and the discovery of new creative partnerships.

GERMAN HAUS AT SXSW 2026
March 12 – 16, 2026
SPEAKEASY, 412 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701

Speakeasy, 412 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701

AI that Ships: A Tech Lunch on Moving from Policy to Pilot


Michael Patrick King

An Emmy award-winning writer, director and producer King's credits include HBO's "Sex and the City", HBO Max's "And Just Like That...", HBO's "The Comeback", CBS's "2 Broke Girls", CBS's "Murphy Brown" and "Cybill", NBC's "Will & Grace" and more. He was recently honored with the Vito Russo Award at GLAAD's milestone 40th anniversary gala.

20 years after the first season debuted in 2005, and 10 years after season two, the HBO original comedy series "The Comeback," from Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow, will return again for a third and final season.

The Comeback Season 3

Michael Patrick King
Lisa Kudrow
John Melfi
Dan Bucatinsky

Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky, Laura Silverman, Damian Young, Jack O’Brien, Ella Stiller


Vanessa Dumont

After studying video at the Beaux-Arts d'Annecy, France, Vanessa Dumont started her own business as an artistic director. She worked for several creative agencies before beginning her collaborating with Nicolas Davenel in 2017. Together, they made music videos, commercials and documentary filmmaking ("The Big Jump" official selection Cannes 2019, "The Way We Move" selection SXSW 2026)

Nicolas Davenel

Nicolas Davenel made his first music videos in the United States and quickly began collaborating with renowned artists such as Birdy Nam Nam and Brodinsky. He began working with Vanessa Dumont in 2017. Together, they make music videos, commercials and documentary films ("The Big Jump" Official Selection Cannes 2019, "The Way We Move" Selection SXSW 2026)

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

THE WAY WE MOVE is a feature-length documentary about Amber Galloway, a star ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter who specializes in live music interpretations. Amber teaches her art to share her life’s mission : making music accessible to the Deaf community. Armed with her astounding teaching skills, she will take her struggling new recruits on a one-of-a-kind journey, hoping they have what it takes to join her at Austin City Limits music festival. As the film unfolds, we learn about Amber’s painful past and about the lives of her recruits, Julian Ortiz and Angela "AV" Vilavong, as they come together and forge life-long bonds. A film about music, Deaf culture, connection and resilience.

The Way We Move

English, American Sign Language with English Subtitles

Amber Galloway, a trailblazer in ASL interpretation, takes us on a journey into the deep bond between the Deaf world and music. We follow her as she teaches struggling recruits who she hopes will have what it takes to join her at ACL music festival.

Hubert Cornet
Mathieu Belghiti
Arnaud Le Guilcher
Eleonore Dailly
Edouard de Lachomette

Nicolas Davenel
Sébastien de Sainte Croix

Amber Galloway, Julian Ortiz, Angela "AV" Vilavong, Joshua Goertz


Dave LaMattina

Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker, founders of Copper Pot Pictures, are award-winning directing and producing partners. Their hit "I am Big Bird,"  which premiered at Tribeca, led to Animal Planet’s top-rated docuseries "The Zoo." Other works include "We Must Go," "The Great Mother," "Exploring Planet Futbol," and "Somwhere Out There, a Don Bluth documentary.

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

"Summer of ’94" reveals the wild rise of the U.S. Men’s National Team on the road to the 1994 World Cup—and the history they were never meant to make. With no league and no roadmap, a ragtag group of players and an unlikely coach endured a grueling two-year training camp, hoping simply not to embarrass their nation at the first-ever World Cup on American soil. Armed with camcorders, the players documented it all, capturing raw moments as underdogs grew into future legends. Featuring never-before-seen footage and new interviews with Alexi Lalas, Cobi Jones, Tony Meola, and coach Bora Milutinović, the film shares how chaos, chemistry, and grit forged a brotherhood that changed US soccer forever.

Summer of ’94

When the World Cup landed in the U.S. in 1994, it arrived in a country with no league, no culture, and no clue. A ragtag group of players and an unlikely coach faced an impossible task: don’t embarrass their nation in front of the entire world.

Sara Bernstein
Amanda Ferrand
Meredith Kaulfers
Justin Wilkes
Josh Greenbaum
Kaitlin March
Nick Dunn
Ewan Watt
Rebecca Covington
Mark Rooks
Frank Igrec
Richard Motzkin
Carie Goldberg Trutanich

Christopher Leggett
Rafael Marmor
Marc Gilbar
Dave LaMattina
Chad Walker

John Rutland
Ronan Killeen
Dan Kerrigan
Jonathon Narducci


Redbreast Unhidden Showcase

Alamo Lamar 5

Seahorse

African American
Health/Disability/Illness
Social Issues
Women

In partnership with SXSW Film & TV Festival 2026, Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey invites you to join in an unforgettable cinematic experience. Accompanied by an iconic Redbreast cocktail and sweet treats, we’re shining a light on five exceptional short films, hand-picked by award-winning Irish actor Andrew Scott. Bold and original, these five shorts represent the best of what the artform has to offer.

Attendees must be over 21 and be SXSW badge holders. Entry is not guaranteed and permitted on a first come first serve basis.

Redbreast

Redbreast Unhidden: Unearthing films worth talking about.

Discovering Redbreast is a revelation. That thrill of unearthing a hidden gem isn’t limited to whiskey bars – it lives wherever curious minds search for their next great find. That spirit brings us to the SXSW Film & TV Festival 2026 and year two of Redbreast Unhidden, our platform championing bold, original storytelling in film.

We’ve partnered with Irish actor Andrew Scott to spotlight exceptional talent in the Narrative Short competition and share it with the world. The must-see films of the category will be highlighted as our Redbreast Unhidden Selects, with one filmmaker receiving the prestigious Redbreast Unhidden Award at the SXSW Film & TV Awards on March 18th.

Join us March 15th at the Redbreast Unhidden Showcase for screenings of our selected films. You’re also invited to discover the Redbreast Unhidden Bar, tucked away in a secret Austin location from March 13th–14th, and attend an exclusive on-stage conversation between Andrew Scott and Deadline at the Omni Hotel on March 13th. And if that wasn’t enough, visit our surprise pop-up on Congress Avenue from March 12th–14th and experience our acclaimed Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey firsthand. For full details, scroll down or visit our website.


Simone Tang

Label Management, Booking Agent - US, Booking Agent - UK/Europe, Booking Agent - Worldwide, Sync/Music Supervisors

Flatstock Stage @ Austin Marriott Downtown (Moontower Hall)


Humanish Wisdom: How Anthropomorphism Shapes Our Behavior

Justin Gregg

Author

Dr. Justin Gregg is a dolphin cognition researcher and bestselling author of If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal and Humanish. He's an adjunct professor at St. Francis Xavier University and Senior Research Associate with the Dolphin Communication Project. Through his writing, talks, and live performances, Justin helps audiences rethink what it means to be human by exploring the surprising wisdom found in animal intelligence and the peculiar nature of our own minds.  In addition to science communication, Justin is a voice actor, hosts multiple podcasts, fronts the punk band Minivans, and teaches improv workshops.

Salon A

The Creative Power of Letting Go: Why Quitting Can Be Your Biggest Breakthrough

Charmageddon: Robots That Steal Hearts and Jobs

Shortchanged: Gen Z, the Economy, and Brands

SWIFTYNOMICS: How Women Mastermind and Redefine Our Economy

Why do we talk to our cats, feel guilty throwing away childhood toys, or bond with our robot vacuum? Scientist and bestselling author Justin Gregg reveals how anthropomorphism, one of humanity's oldest psychological quirks, secretly influences nearly every decision we make. Drawing on cutting-edge research from his latest book Humanish, Justin explores our universal tendency to see human-like qualities in everything around us, and shows how understanding this bias can transform our relationships with animals, technology, and each other.

HUMANISH WISDOM: HOW ANTHROPOMORPHISM SHAPES OUR BEHAVIOR


Lose Your Mind to AI? A Neuroscientist and an AI CEO Debate

Dr. Sahar Yousef

UC Berkeley, Cognitive Science And Haas School Of Business; Becoming Superhuman

Cognitive Neuroscientist And Faculty; Founder And Managing Director

Dr. Sahar Yousef is a cognitive neuroscientist and faculty at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She runs the Becoming Superhuman Lab and is considered one of the world’s leading experts on cognitive training and the science of productivity. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNBC, and The New York Times. She has given over 800 keynotes in 50+ countries, was selected by Thinkers50 as one of the top 30 management thinkers to watch in 2024, and has even been invited to speak to the US Congress.

Greg Shove

CEO

Greg Shove is the CEO of Section, an AI workforce transformation company, and a 7x founder and CEO of tech-powered companies that rode 3 previous tech waves (Internet, Cloud, Mobile) with $250M in exits. He’s also a founder at Machine & Partners, an AI consultancy helping companies identify and prototype AI products, and AI Truth Serum, an AI newsletter on the real impacts of AI on organizations and the knowledge workforce.

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

AI can be your most powerful productivity tool… or a shortcut to cognitive decline. Neuroscientist Dr. Sahar Yousef and AI education company CEO Greg Shove debate the ultimate question: “AI feels like borrowing 30 IQ points, but will it ultimately make us dumber?” They will share new, unpublished UC Berkeley data showing that most “AI augmentation” is shallow cognitive offloading in disguise and outline a research-backed playbook for HOW you can leverage AI without losing what makes you most valuable: your mind.

LOSE YOUR MIND TO AI? A NEUROSCIENTIST AND AN AI CEO DEBATE


The Hour That’ll Define 2026: Culture, Trends, & What’s Next

Chris Danton

Chief Of Ideas + Co-Founder

Chris Danton is the Chief of Ideas and Co-founder of IN GOOD CO a global brand consultancy igniting challenger brands with fearless positioning. With a background in brand building, Chris and IN GOOD CO work with funded start-ups and Fortune 500 brands to ensure they stand out.  She builds brands that actively grow and evolve, without hitting pause. Her clients include Nike, Mars, Starbucks, Pinterest, Uniqlo, Psycho Bunny, Amass, 710Labs, SLMD, Sex With Emily, Zappos, and more. Chris is also the author of, the highly successful Substack, GOOD THINKING which is read by +16K C-Suite executives, venture capitalists, and creatives globally.

Kirsten Ludwig

President + Co-Founder

Kirsten is a brand builder, cultural curator and thought leader. She's the Founder of IN GOOD CO, a global brand consultancy igniting challenger brands with fearless positioning. She has transformed agencies, created brands, pioneered experiences, and led teams at Ralph Lauren, Nike and Starbucks - just a few of the companies she’s helped inspire.

She co-hosts GOOD THINKING a podcast and publication read by top brand executives worldwide and Lit From Within, a high vibrational podcast and Substack.

She’s a frequent speaker, moderator and panelist at top conferences on brand, marketing and culture. She’s a bold voice on Linkedin, a regular Forbes contributor and is a regular industry judge, including Cannes Lions. A member of invite-only communities, THE BOARD, Sunday Dinner and Intro and a Co-Host of Breakfast Club LA.

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

Most trend reports feel like homework. Not this one.

This is an hour of zero effort, all takeaways.

Chris Danton and Kirsten Ludwig have spent the year decoding what’s actually happening across culture, F&B, Silvers, Alphas, retail, tech, wellness, beauty, and travel for GOOD THINKING — the newsletter 16K+ executives at Target, LVMH, and Klaviyo wait for every week.

Now they’re bringing you the distilled version:

10 trends that matter most for 2026 — delivered with pace, perspective, and zero patience for the obvious.

You’ll leave knowing exactly what to do on Monday — and how to think for the year ahead.

HOUR THAT?LL DEFINE 2026: CULTURE, TRENDS, & WHAT?S NEXT

Brand & Marketing track sponsored by Youtube


Mentor Session: James Trumbly (HMG Creative)

James Trumbly

Founder & Managing Partner

Founder and Managing Partner of HMG Creative and eConnect Email in Austin, Texas. I'm a serial entrepreneur who has served as the creative liaison for hundreds of brands including: Thermo Fisher Scientific, The Marriott, IKEA, Brinks Security, Terminix, Retail Me Not, The Art Institute, among other notable clients.

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 Business Development, Marketing/Advertising/PR.

MENTOR SESSION: JAMES TRUMBLY (HMG CREATIVE)


Mentor Session: Maria Gonima (Big Smile Co)

Maria Gonima

Founder

Maria Consuelo Gonima is a Colombian-American executive in digital PR and marketing communications with a vision for community-powered storytelling. With over two decades of experience across digital strategy and integrated marketing, she has led campaigns for Hulu, Warner Bros Discovery, Meow Wolf, Fullscreen, Tribeca, and the Annenberg Foundation. As fractional COO, she helped video AI startup Reely scale into a category leader and secure acquisition by Magnifi. Her background is anything but conventional, spanning radio, concert production, DJing, and even a rap debut on NBA2k9. Through Big Smile Co., the hybrid communications practice she founded, Maria drives brand momentum using the PESO model to blend paid, earned, shared, and owned media across tech, entertainment, AI, and social good.

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

MENTOR SESSION: MARIA GONIMA (BIG SMILE CO)


Mentor Session: Joey David Tiempo (Octopus&Whale )

Joey David Tiempo

Founder/CEO

Joey David Tiempo is the founder and CEO of Octopus&Whale, the Philippines’ pioneering game and brand experience design agency. In just five years, Octopus&Whale has grown into a trusted creative partner for an impressive roster of clients across gaming, entertainment, tech, and youth culture – blazing a trail at the intersection of games and brand storytelling.

Joey was the first Filipina to serve on the inaugural Gaming juries of Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, and D&AD. With over two decades of creative leadership, her work has earned global recognition from Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, Clio, LIA, Spikes Asia, and AdFest—reflecting a deep commitment to craft, culture, and resonance.

Her passion lies in exploring the power of play as a tool for creativity, connection, and change. Through her agency, teaching, and community-building work, she champions how games, gamified systems, and immersive narratives can shape behavior, inspire participation, and move people.

She co-hosts Keri Kita: Essential Guide for Parents of Non-Gamers, a podcast that helps parents navigate the gaming worlds their kids love. She also teaches Culture of Gaming at the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P), where she mentors the next generation of creative leaders.

As a creative leader, educator, mother, and lifelong gamer, Joey brings a unique perspective shaped by the intersection of her many roles. She’s open to mentoring on:

- Creative leadership and building resilient teams
- Designing for participation in games and experiences
- Southeast Asia’s gaming and creative culture
- Storytelling across interactive and hybrid platforms
- Bridging brands with gaming communities
- Parenting and play as design principles
- Teaching creativity and human-centered thinking

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/Advertising/PR, Entrepreneurship, Game Development.

MENTOR SESSION: JOEY DAVID TIEMPO (OCTOPUS&WHALE )


Mentor Session: Christian Bustamante (Dell Technologies)

Christian Bustamante

Senior Principal Quality Engineer

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Business Development, Product Management/Development.

MENTOR SESSION: CHRISTIAN BUSTAMANTE (DELL TECHNOLOGIES)


Mentor Session: Dominique Wright (SpinLab Communications)

Dominique Wright

Director

Dominique currently serves as Director of Communications at SpinLab Communications where she works on accounts for some of the biggest music companies in the world. Prior to joining the SpinLab team Dominique handled corporate communication for the opening of SoFi Stadium and YouTube Theater, a 6,000-seat performance venue in Inglewood, CA. As Corporate Communications manager she was instrumental in securing press for  Super Bowl LVI, NFL Honors and the first annual Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl. Throughout her career she has held positions at Interscope Records and Universal Music Enterprises, working on projects for several artists including Machine Gun Kelly, Ella Mai, Ari Lennox, Dreezy, The Who, Brian Culbertson, and more.

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: DOMINIQUE WRIGHT (SPINLAB COMMUNICATIONS)


Boundary Breakers & Innovators Meet Up

Daniel Rabinovich

VP of Brand Partnerships

Daniel Rabinovich is the VP of Brand Partnerships at Barry's, building deep relationships with brands that create memorable and impactful moments for incredible clients across the globe. Recent notable partnerships include: Tom Holland’s BERO, Khloe Kardashian’s Lemme, Lululemon, CELSIUS, Grüns, Mini Cooper, and L’Oreal.

Previous to Barry's, Dan lead partnerships for Virgin Voyages. He's always been driven to deliver innovative programs across valued partners like LVMH, The Bachelorette, BBC Apprentice, Thrillist, Williams F1,  and more. Prior to partnerships at Virgin Voyages, he was responsible for paid media strategy & planning across digital and traditional channels, travel trade marketing, and SEO.

Sam Harper

Founder

He brings 14 years of experience spanning ecommerce, growth, and go to market strategy, including co founding and exiting a consumer brand as CMO. Sam has also led sales and partnerships functions in tech, with a background in building and scaling revenue across both consumer and SaaS businesses.

Join us to explore the bleeding edge. Strange ideas, emerging research, and projects that don’t quite fit anywhere else yet. The conversation is intentionally cross-disciplinary and open to ideas from any industry or domain.

Come armed with the niche interest you’ve been diving deep on. We want to hear what you’re most excited about and spark conversations that stretch beyond the obvious.


Immigrant Founders: Fueling America’s Future

Tom Zhang

Founder and CEO

Tom grew up on a family orchard where he enjoyed fresh apples, pears, apricots, and peaches for many years. His love for fruits and his passion for problem-solving led him to found Daxo Industries, which today spans agricultural innovation and new explorations into robotic hands and high-dimensional dexterity. He previously worked at iRobot, Uber ATG, and Rapyuta Robotics. He has a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and computer science from Cornell University and a PhD in Computer and Information Science from the University of Pennsylvania.

Doug Rand

Director

Doug Rand is Co-Director of the Talent Mobility Fund, a program of Renaissance Philanthropy focused on recruitment and retention of international scientists, engineers, and other highly skilled professionals in the United States, independent of policy change.

Previously, Doug served as Senior Advisor to the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) during the Biden administration and as Assistant Director for Entrepreneurship in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) during the Obama administration. He has also been a Senior Fellow at the Federation of American Scientists and an advisor to the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. As an entrepreneur, he was the co-founder and president of Boundless, and the co-founder and CEO of Playscripts, Inc. He is a graduate of Yale Law School and the Yale School of Management, and received master’s and undergraduate degrees from Harvard, where he studied evolutionary biology.

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

Immigration is a contentious and tumultuous topic these days. But the contributions of global talent are clear: Immigrants make up only 15% of the U.S. population, but 40% of Nobel science laureates and 44% of tech unicorn founders. Tom Zhang made his way from a small town in rural China to an Ivy League PhD and an Austin-based robotics startup. Doug Rand has helped global talent navigate the immigration system as a senior government official, co-founder of Boundless, and now head of a philanthropic fund. While many recent immigration policies may create obstacles for global founders, there are still several viable pathways to obtain a visa and start a company in the U.S. Come learn how America can remain the top destination for great immigrant entrepreneurs.

IMMIGRANT FOUNDERS: FUELING AMERICA?S FUTURE

Workplace track sponsored by University of Cincinnati


Meet the Winners of the 2026 SXSW Pitch Competition

Richard Munassi

Accelerator Managing Director

Dr. Richard Munassi MD MBA is a serial Entrepreneur and investor. As Managing Director, Dr. Munassi leads both the CORE and Accelerator programs for the nationally-recognized Tampa Bay Wave, helping software and hardware startups from throughout the US and abroad build, launch, and grow their technology companies. Startups he has founded, mentored, or advised have raised over $1.5B USD with several dozen exits.

Dr. Munassi's background includes time with NASA as part of their iTech program, as Director of Innovation for one of the nation's largest cancer hospitals where he helped to launch a global initiative around cancer innovation with the Biden Administration White House, as Entrepreneur in Residence for Techstars, the University of South Florida (where he was also Adjunct Professor for the Graduate School of Business), and the University of Florida, as well as current EIR roles with the University of East London and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is also a mentor for programs such as FedTech, MIT Solve, UCSF's Health Hub, MassChallenge, Founder Institute, and more.

Dr. Munassi is an active investor in several dozen early stage technology startups and VC funds, and works closely with multiple large family offices deploying into early and growth stage technology startups and VC funds.

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

This session gives attendees the opportunity to hear more from the leaders behind the extremely talented startups that won each of the nine categories at SXSW Pitch 2026. Be inspired and amazed by these incredible entrepreneuers from aroud the world, as they showcase their winning ideas and shine a spotlight on the most innovative technologies of tomorrow.

MEET THE WINNERS OF THE 2026 SXSW PITCH COMPETITION


Mentor Session: Itamar Olimpio Da Silva (Co-Viva)

Itamar Olimpio da Silva

CEO

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 Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Future of Work.

MENTOR SESSION: ITAMAR OLIMPIO DA SILVA (CO-VIVA)


Round Table: Documentary Filmmaking: Rebecca Stern, and Royd Chung

Rebecca Stern

Director / Producer

Rebecca Stern is an Emmy-nominated documentary producer and director living in Los Angeles, CA. She focuses on stories that shock, awe or encourage a giggle. With credits on HBO, AMC, ABC, HULU, STARZ, ITVS, and NETFLIX, she makes a lot of stuff with the people she loves. Specific projects include: Well Groomed (SXSW ’19, Hot Docs ‘19, HBO Sports), Smugshot (AMC ‘25, ‘23), Level Playing Field (HBO Sports, ‘21), Dear Santa (ABC/HULU ‘23, ‘21), Deerfoot of the Diamond (ESPN, Camden ‘23), Battleground (Starz, Tribeca ‘22), Snowy (TIME, Sundance ‘21), Tre Maison Dasan (Independent Lens ‘19), Netizens (Tribeca ‘18, HBO Max), and the bomb (Tribeca ‘16, Netflix). Rebecca is a 2023 DOCNYC 40 Under 40 honoree, a 2019 Impact Partners Fellow, a recurring SXSW mentor, a pga-accredited producer and a Documentary Producers Alliance board member.

Royd Chung

Royd Chung is the Senior Vice President of Programming & Production at (ITVS), a leading incubator and co-producer of independent film. He oversees the development and production pipelines for ITVS' acclaimed slate of documentary films and series, including the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Independent Lens for which Royd also serves as an executive producer. Prior to joining ITVS, Royd held executive and senior production roles across a range of high-profile projects. He served as executive producer for the Netflix docuseries Girls, Incarcerated, PBS’ Breaking Big, and MTV’s True Life, and was a showrunner and producer on multiple documentary series for A&E, National Geographic, TLC, and Discovery. His work continues to amplify diverse voices and bring complex, real-world stories to screens nationwide.

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 Documentary Filmmaking.

ROUND TABLE: DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING: REBECCA STERN, AND ROYD CHUNG

Film & TV track sponsored by Crunchyroll


Development Mentor Session: Nick Romano (18Hz)

Nick Romano

Creative Executive

Nick Romano is Vice President at 18Hz, Walter Hamada's horror production company based at Paramount Pictures. He has served as a production executive on Johannes Roberts' PRIMATE and Andre Ovredal's PASSENGER, and is also an executive producer on upcoming titles including SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN and FAMILIAR. Prior to 18Hz, Nick worked at New Line Cinema in feature development and before that, at ICM Partners where he got his start as an assistant in Motion Picture Literary. An Italian-American from Queens, he is a life-long horror fan.

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 Development, Producers/Production, Narrative Filmmakers.

DEVELOPMENT MENTOR SESSION: NICK ROMANO (18HZ)


Development Mentor Session: Connor Purcell (C2 Motion Picture Group)

Connor Purcell

Director of Development

Connor Purcell serves as the Director of Development for C2 Motion Picture Group, playing a pivotal role in the company’s feature film endeavors. He is instrumental in guiding each project through its entire lifecycle, from conception and production to post-production and release, ensuring that every film aligns with C2’s standards of quality. Connor is a Co-Executive Producer on C2's latest release, "The Monkey".

Connor brings a wealth of experience to his role with previous positions at Paradigm Talent Agency, Sugar23, and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. His strategic insight and storytelling skills have played a key role in shaping projects such as “Secret Headquarters,” “Young Woman and the Sea,” “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” “Top Gun: Maverick,”, and "F1".

Holding a degree in Finance from Southern Methodist University, Connor combines analytical expertise with a genuine love for the art of filmmaking.

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

DEVELOPMENT MENTOR SESSION: CONNOR PURCELL (C2 MOTION PICTURE GROUP)


Development Mentor Session: Karim Lakhani (in & thru)

Karim Lakhani

Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard (D^3); Harvard Business School

Head Of Development - Tv & Film

Karim Lakhani serves as the Head of Development for Television & Film at Yvonne Orji’s In & Thru, where he oversees and supports the company’s first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television. In this role, Karim collaborates with Yvonne to develop scripted drama and comedy series, including Yaa Gyasi’s Transcendent Kingdom, along with other unannounced projects for cable, streaming, and broadcast.

Throughout his tenure Karim has held positions at Netflix, NBCUniversal, Baobab Studios, 30WEST, and Creative Artists Agency (CAA). He’s worked across both domestic and international markets such as India, Korea, Sub-Saharan Africa, Spain, France, and Italy.

During his career Karim has worked across live-action and animation projects for film and television including Jeremy Caplin’s Academy Award Nominated I LOST MY BODY, LeSean Thomas’s hit anime series YASUKE starring Lakeith Stanfield, Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s THE PLATFORM, Alexander Moratto’s 7 PRISONERS, Hikari’s 37 SECONDS, and the upcoming animated workplace comedy series INTERCATS, for Disney+. He also has a passion for representation and inclusion. At NBCUniversal, he served as a consultant to the Global Talent Development & Inclusion and NBCU Launch programs. Here, he lent his expertise to emerging writers, helping them hone their craft and secure staffing opportunities across Universal Television, Universal Content Productions, and NBC Entertainment. Karim's innovative spirit was also evident in his role as he launched NBCUniversal's first Animation Writers program, a groundbreaking initiative in partnership with DreamWorks Animation and Illumination Entertainment. Karim's journey in the entertainment industry began at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where he embarked on a career that saw him rise from the mailroom to an agency assistant within the International and Business Development groups. Karim graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Media and a minor in Digital Cinema.

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

DEVELOPMENT MENTOR SESSION: KARIM LAKHANI (IN & THRU)


Development Mentor Session: Laura Luckenbaugh

Laura Luckenbaugh

Producer

Laura Luckenbaugh is a producer based in NYC. She currently leads an international slate of Film, TV and digital media projects for Hypokrit Productions. Laura co-produced the acclaimed second season of INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE and served as development consultant across the entire Immortal Universe franchise. Recent work includes EVERYBODY’S FIGHT for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Paramount+, the short films THE DECISION MAKING CENTER and CAIN’S LEGACY, and Eric Bogosian’s 100 MONOLOGUES. As Director of International Programming & Development at AMC, Laura oversaw acclaimed dramas including INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, GANGS OF LONDON, SANCTUARY: A WITCH’S TALE, MARY AND GEORGE, BAFTA-winners MOOD and THIS IS GOING TO HURT, and the final season of BETTER CALL SAUL. Laura is the Industry Producer for the Australian International Screen Forum.

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

DEVELOPMENT MENTOR SESSION: LAURA LUCKENBAUGH


Development Mentor Session: Ellie Bartlett (CANADA Los Angeles)

Ellie Bartlett

Head of Creative/Executive Producer

Ellie Bartlett is an Executive Producer known for championing bold creative voices and shaping career-defining opportunities for the directors she represents. With a foundation in production and a sharp instinct for talent, she has been a key force behind CANADA’s growth for almost a decade.

As a creatively led EP, Ellie works with directors as a true collaborator – developing ideas, refining narrative approaches and shaping pitches across music videos and commercials. She brings clarity to concepts, helps craft treatments to communicate vision with impact, and ensures each director’s voice is presented with a balance of artistic intent and strategic clarity.

Over the course of her career, Ellie has played an integral role in pitches for the likes of Dua Lipa, Hot Chip, The Chemical Brothers, Nike, Apple, The NBA, Meta, Expedia, MTV and Zara.

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 Development, "Sales, Acquisitions, & Distribution", Producers.

DEVELOPMENT MENTOR SESSION: ELLIE BARTLETT (CANADA LOS ANGELES)


The Creator Playbook for Successful Content & Communities

Lucy Shen

Creator Marketing Manager

Lucy Shen is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a key player in creator marketing, known for driving growth, equity, and innovation in the creator economy. At Patreon, she is part of the company’s first creator marketing team, building foundational systems that support and amplify diverse creators. Previously in podcasting, she helped launch CastBox’s American office as the second US-based employee. Her expertise spans creator partnerships and management, creator marketing, product adoption, and inclusive programming. Passionate about amplifying creator voices, Lucy blends creative strategy with operational rigor to help creators thrive.

Gracie Schram

Head Of Strategic Creator Initiatives

Gracie Schram, Head of Strategic Creator Initiatives at Epidemic Sound, connects the brand and creator community, building partnerships with the world's biggest creators to bring projects to life with music. With over a decade of experience as a touring singer-songwriter, she brings an authentic understanding of the creative process to her work. A sought-after expert and speaker on the creator economy, content trends, and music, she has appeared on stages from CMA Fest and SXSW to TEDx.

Guadalupe

What We’re Unlearning on Supporting Education Systems

Shaping Education in a Culture x Tech World

Independent Film Publicity: How to Earn Media Attention

The creator economy is demanding. Success requires adapting to constant shifts in algorithms and platform policies, as well as mastering how to build a loyal community and creating content that truly moves, engages, and stands out in a saturated feed. Join creator marketing leaders from Epidemic Sound and Patreon for this hands-on workshop focused on translating expertise into sustainable income. You will learn and immediately apply proven strategies for compelling storytelling, community growth, and leveraging music to maximize your content's success. Laptops are required for this session.

CREATOR PLAYBOOK FOR SUCCESSFUL CONTENT & COMMUNITIES

Creator Economy track sponsored by Yamaha


It Writes Itself: AI Variety Show & Creative Workshop

Sami Kriegstein Jacobson

Executive Creative Director

Mike Jacobson

Head Of Creative Strategy

By day, a Forbes 30 under 30, award-winning creative strategist specializing in
entertainment. He led marketing strategy on Comedy Central's biggest hits (from South
Park to the Daily Show to Broad City), was a viral consultant on Dune 2, and brought joy to
the world running social for Oreo. But maybe more importantly, by night, he's a TV-
featured magician and mentalist to the stars - as seen on America's Got Talent, on Ellen,
and in NY Mag. So yes, the other Magic Mike.

Rio Grande Ballroom 1

You Are STILL the Brand: What AI Can’t Do for You

Sprints for Social Impact: Turn Time Pressure into Purpose

Vibe Coding: From Idea to MVP at Warp Speed

Look What You Made Me Do: Revenge as Creative Catalyst

Artistic Disruption for Business Innovation

Based on the “mind-expanding” AI variety show that sold out in NYC, LA, and CDMX, and fresh off of runs at Meta Connect, Disney, and Unilever, IT WRITES ITSELF is “an AI creativity workshop for people who hate workshops.” Part playground, part performance, it’s an interactive mash-up of AI experiments, games, stories and surprises tailored to the folks in the room, resulting in a fun, funny, weird, and occasionally existential workshop like none other. You’ll leave with your brain rewired, curiosity lit up, and a newfound way to explore AI that’s actually fun.

IT WRITES ITSELF: AI VARIETY SHOW & CREATIVE WORKSHOP


Mentor Session: Sophia Sofferman (NTSS Law PLLC)

Sophia Sofferman

Partner/Co-Founder

Sophia Sofferman is a founding partner of the newly minted boutique entertainment law firm, NTSS Law. Based in Miami, Sofferman, 38, who got her start living “on the road” and touring with Joe Walsh of the Eagles, served as legal counsel at Rimas Entertainment, LLC, (Bad Bunny’s record label), and after transitioning to private practice, now represents media and entertainment companies in various transactions, as well as artists, record labels, music publishers, musicians, songwriters, influencers, and production companies.Sophia represents media and entertainment entities in various transactions, as well as record labels, music publishers, musicians, songwriters, and production companies in music-related matters.
Sophia’s diverse experience working in television and live music production bolsters her practice — she toured the country with Joe Walsh of the Eagles, which provided her with valuable insights from working with artists, producers, promoters, production companies, music venues, and other creative clientele. Previously, she was legal counsel at Rimas Entertainment.
Sophia routinely mentors and guest lectures at law schools and gives back to the music community. She is a professional member of the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy and is a member of the American Bar Association's Governing Committee for the Entertainment and Sports Industries. Most recently, Sophia was named to the 2024 Hollywood New Leader list by Variety, recognizing young leaders in the industry.

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 Distribution, Contracts & Agreements, Live Events, Women in Music.

MENTOR SESSION: SOPHIA SOFFERMAN (NTSS LAW PLLC)


Mentor Session: Jayden (Eui Sung) Son (Kreatorsnetwork Inc.)

Jayden (Eui Sung) Son

Chief of Business Development, Creative Director

Jayden E. Son is a cross-border music business strategist and executive, currently serving as Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) at Kreators Network (KN). He leads global business development, strategic partnerships, and data-driven marketing initiatives across Korea, Japan, and the broader Asia-Pacific region, working at the intersection of music, technology, and culture.

Jayden began his career at Sony Music, where he built a strong foundation in global label operations and artist marketing. He later founded HYPEER Inc., a premium music marketing and creative label recognized for its expertise in localization strategy, artist branding, and experiential campaign design. Following HYPEER’s acquisition by KN, Jayden integrated his proprietary MX (Music Experience) framework into KN’s AI-powered artist marketing platform, helping scale creative strategies into repeatable, performance-driven systems.

His portfolio includes collaborations with leading global music and tech companies such as Universal Music Japan, Sony Music Japan, AVEX, The Orchard, KDDI, Spotify, YouTube, and top K-POP and J-POP labels. Notable projects include PB LIVE with KDDI, J-POP.ZIP in Seoul, Tower Records Shibuya K-Series pop-ups, and multiple Korea–Japan artist development and IP expansion initiatives.

In parallel with his executive role, Jayden is also active as a songwriter under Warner Chappell Music (pen name: jxxdxn), contributing to K-POP releases while maintaining a rare dual perspective as both creator and strategist. This combination allows him to bridge creative intent with commercial execution in a highly practical way.

Jayden is known for translating creative vision into scalable business models, with a focus on artist branding, localization, monetization, and long-term value creation. His work centers on empowering artists and IP owners to navigate global markets with clarity, structure, and sustainable impact.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in A&R, Marketing/PR, Sales & Sponsorships, Streaming & Programming, Management, Live Events, Data, Merchandise, Media/Journalism, Startups, Songwriting.

MENTOR SESSION: JAYDEN (EUI SUNG) SON (KREATORSNETWORK INC.)


Mentor Session: Tina Fleming (Avenue Z)

Tina Fleming

Senior Director of AI Optimization

Tina Fleming is the Senior Director of AI Optimization at Avenue Z, where she leads the agency’s proprietary approach to AI-era visibility, performance media, and brand discoverability. With over a decade of experience in digital strategy and search intelligence, Tina has helped Fortune 500 brands and emerging startups adapt to the algorithmic age, bridging the gap between human storytelling and machine learning. She is a frequent educator on AI literacy and the future of brand visibility.

Room 400

Mentor Session: Teresa Bigelow (Revel Society)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Future of Work, Marketing/Advertising/PR.


Development Mentor Session: Alex Williams (Dracena Pictures)

Alex Williams

Founder

Alex was born and raised in Texas, growing up in Fort Worth and attending the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with a BFA in Radio-Television-Film in 2014. A lifelong student of cinema, Alex’s love for the silver screen drew him first to Los Angeles, and then to XYZ Films, where he worked from 2018-2025.

As Director of Acquisitions and Development at XYZ, Alex contributed to a wide slate of projects at all stages of production, including THE EDGE OF NORMAL starring Chloe Grace Moretz and directed by Carlota Pereda; THE RITUAL starring Al Pacino and directed by David Midell; and BANQUET starring Meghann Fahy and directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia.

In 2025, Alex founded Dracena Pictures with a mission to continue discovering bold new voices in independent film and producing theatrical titles for a volatile cinematic landscape. His current slate of upcoming projects includes THE BROODMARE, to be directed by Anna Zlokovic and projects to be announced from filmmakers Jacqueline Castel and Jennifer Reeder.

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 Development, International, "Sales, Acquisitions, & Distribution".

DEVELOPMENT MENTOR SESSION: ALEX WILLIAMS (DRACENA PICTURES)


Development Mentor Session: Courtney Shepard (Ethereal Media Group)

Courtney Shepard

Producer/Founder

Courtney Shepard is a producer whose work moves between studio and indie spaces. She most recently served as SVP of Development at Castle Rock Entertainment, where she helped lead the studio’s $175M relaunch and oversaw projects like Spinal Tap II and the upcoming Wind River: Rising. Her earlier roles at New Republic Pictures, Cross Creek Pictures, and CAA shaped her foundation in creative development, artist relations, film finance, and packaging. Through her studio Ethereal, she focuses on future-facing ideas, new formats, and creators who work with honesty and curiosity, developing stories grounded in character, culture, and where the medium is heading next.

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

DEVELOPMENT MENTOR SESSION: COURTNEY SHEPARD (ETHEREAL MEDIA GROUP)


Mentor Session: Sarah Kloboves (Chartmetric)

Sarah Kloboves

Content and Marketing Manager

Sarah Kloboves is the content and marketing manager at Chartmetric, an all-in-one data analytics platform for artists and music industry professionals. There she manages all of the daily content on digital platforms, including Chartmetric’s publication How Music Charts. She also oversees many marketing initiatives and has facilitated campaigns for projects such as Chartmetric’s Artist Plan and OneSheet platform. Sarah has also contributed several stories to How Music Charts, infusing data with real world music news and specializing in areas like international markets, genre trends, and other industry insights.

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

MENTOR SESSION: SARAH KLOBOVES (CHARTMETRIC)


Mentor Session: Athena Burgueno (Fashion Friends Collective)

Athena Burgueno

Co-Founder

Athena Burgueno is Co-Founder of Fashion Friends Collective and a fashion technologist, building new pathways to access, opportunity, and career growth across the fashion industry. Co-inventor of an AI technology for body-size inclusivity (patent pending), advancing more representative personalization in how people experience fashion. She brings a multidisciplinary perspective across fashion, technology, and platforms, shaping strategy, partnerships, and content-led experiences. A returning speaker at SXSW and mentor at Parsons School of Design, she is dedicated to fostering growth in emerging fashion talent.

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 "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion", Fashion/Retail, Entrepreneurship.

MENTOR SESSION: ATHENA BURGUENO (FASHION FRIENDS COLLECTIVE)


Mentor Session: Yangos Hadjiyannis (Northeastern University Vancouver)

Yangos Hadjiyannis

Experience Director

Yangos Hadjiyannis is the Experience Director at the Multimodal Media Lab (Member of NEXTG)  whose work explores how stories evolve into living, multimodal worlds. At the intersection of art, technology, and culture, his mission is to pioneer the language of storyliving — transforming IP's into multisensory, emotionally resonant Multimodal experiences across the physical and digital spaces. Over the past two decades, he has directed more than 250 digital and immersive projects, events, pitches, and campaigns, developing frameworks that empower creators to design for presence, empathy, and collective imagination.
Some of his notable projects include Alexandria: Port of Worlds, the official virtual world of the Cannes XR International Film Festival, where myth and architecture converge into an interactive cultural nexus; Love on a Plate, a multisensory Apple Vision Pro experience that redefines culinary storytelling through spatial media; and the SIGGRAPH XR Theater: Living Sanctuary, a re-envisioned immersive showcase merging narrative cinema, reactive flora, and mixed-reality performance. Across these projects and his ongoing initiatives at the Multimodal Media Lab, Yangos continues to shape the future of immersive storytelling, one where technology becomes a vessel for the senses, meaning, connection, and wonder.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in XR, Storytelling, Immersive Technology, "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion".

MENTOR SESSION: YANGOS HADJIYANNIS (NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY VANCOUVER)


Mentor Session: Aja Pecknold (Fort William Artist Management)

Aja Pecknold

Manager

I'm from the Pacific Northwest — Seattle, WA, currently live in Los Angeles after the better part of a decade in New York. I've spent the past 18+ years working across the music, arts/culture and hospitality spaces. Since 2008, I've managed international touring artists such as Fleet Foxes, Kevin Morby, Tim Bernardes, and others. I'm a partner at Fort William Artist Management providing guidance, strategy and support for artists and am currently Brand Director of Strategy for Atelier Ace, the creative agency behind Ace Hotels. I've acted as a co-curator of the songwriters program at acclaimed women's writing residency, Hedgebrook and served on the Board of Directors for the Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sur, California and volunteered as a yoga teacher for Women for Afghan Women in Queens, NY.

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 Women in Music, Touring, Management.

MENTOR SESSION: AJA PECKNOLD (FORT WILLIAM ARTIST MANAGEMENT)


Mentor Session: Brandon Kirby (SongShift)

Brandon Kirby

Founder

Brandon Kirby is the founder of SongShift, a professional development company built specifically for the music and creative industries.

SongShift helps fast-moving teams strengthen communication, leadership, and collaboration through practical, experiential learning rooted in real creative work. Brandon brings over 20 years of experience across education, music, and the creative industries, including leading global teams and designing executive and professional development programmes at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.

Alongside his work in education, he has worked as a label founder, promoter, DJ, producer, and radio music director. His work sits at the intersection of leadership and creativity, helping teams move from technical excellence to clearer decision-making, stronger collaboration, and more effective leadership under pressure.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Education, Music Tech, Management.

MENTOR SESSION: BRANDON KIRBY (SONGSHIFT)


Development Mentor Session: Martina Silcock (Happy Outlier Pictures)

Martina Silcock

Producer

Martina is a British-Irish Producer and Director from Manchester, UK,  with a passion for scripted drama. She has worked on a diverse slate of shorts, features and TV dramas, including Spirit Award-winning PIG, THE LAST KINGDOM, MY MAD FAT DIARY the BAFTA-nominated MOGUL MOWGLI, and Emmy-winning MAN IN AN ORANGE SHIRT. Martina’s work in production has led her across the globe, including Hong Kong, Greece, Hungary, and now the USA. She is currently living in Los Angeles where she is developing several US-, Canada- and UK-based projects, as well as writing a short and feature she will direct. As a Producer her mission is to highlight underserved voices, with a particular focus on stories dealing with identity and relationships, especially those with science fiction and magical realist elements.

In 2020 she founded LookBeyondTheList.com, a resources site for systemically underrepresented groups working behind the camera in scripted TV and film.

Martina is a BAFTA US Talent and Inside Pictures alumni. She has worked as a mentor for Film Independent Global Media Makers and BAFTA x JFK High School.

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 International, Narrative Filmmakers, Development.

DEVELOPMENT MENTOR SESSION: MARTINA SILCOCK (HAPPY OUTLIER PICTURES)


The Founder’s Edge: How Psychedelics Unlock Creativity, Resilience, and Conscious Leadership

Falcon Stephan

Executive Coach/ Psychedelic Facilitator

Jeremy "Falcon" Stephan is a technology operator, executive advisor, and founder of The Mind Shift Network, where he works at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and human performance. With more than 15 years of experience in the tech ecosystem, Falcon has partnered with startup founders, executives, and boards to help companies scale through periods of rapid growth and change, spanning go-to-market strategy, organizational alignment, and culture.

Earlier in his career, Falcon helped build multiple high-growth technology companies from early traction to acquisition, including serving as VP of Sales at ArcTouch, which scaled from under $1M in revenue to over $20M before being acquired by WPP. He is known for a deeply consultative approach and a belief that sustainable growth comes from aligning people, systems, and purpose.

Outside of technology, Falcon is a dedicated freediver, capable of holding his breath for over five minutes and diving to depths of 55 meters in the open ocean. The discipline of freediving—calm under pressure, presence, and self-awareness—has strongly influenced how he approaches leadership and decision-making.

Through The Mind Shift Network, Falcon works with executives, creatives, and entrepreneurs exploring intentional practices, including psychedelic facilitation & integration, to expand perspective, enhance creativity, and cultivate emotionally intelligent leadership. His work bridges emerging science with real-world executive experience, helping leaders navigate complexity with clarity and become more heart centered in the work environment.

Room 412

Agents vs Managers: When are you ready to be signed and by who?

The Price of Influence: Why Undefined Value Kills Trust

10 Truths About Technology That Are Shaping Your Life

Tackling the “snakes” undermining digital rights

Startup founders face relentless pressure, emotional volatility, and decision fatigue. This session explores how intentional psychedelic experiences, combined with integration practices, can expand perspective, dissolve ego-driven blind spots, and strengthen leadership presence. Drawing from The Mind Shift Network’s work with executives and entrepreneurs, we’ll examine how psychedelics catalyze authentic innovation, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven company culture.

FOUNDER?S EDGE: HOW PSYCHEDELICS UNLOCK CREATIVITY, RESILIENCE, AND CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP


Mentor Session: Katie Stolp (ThinkPower)

Katie Stolp

Master Certified Life Coach/Keynote Speaker

Katie is a Master Certified Coach and the founder of ThinkPower, a boutique Austin-based outlet on a mission to help women let go of self-defeating thoughts, own their power, and break through to authentic confidence in their careers and lives. Through her speaking engagements, online courses, one-on-one and group coaching, Katie has helped thousands of women around the globe break out and achieve their wildest dreams. Clients regularly cite Katie's unique approach, which combines a supportive yet direct coaching style, research and science-based techniques, and her own personal journey as an Austin CBS news anchor, corporate leader, trainer, and now coach.

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 Business Development, Entrepreneurship.

MENTOR SESSION: KATIE STOLP (THINKPOWER)


XR Filmmakers Meet Up

Julie Walsh

Digital Art Curator

Julie Walsh is a Chicago-based curator with a focus on contemporary Asian art, immersive technologies, and digital art. Ms. Walsh has been involved in the art world for 40 years. Ms. Walsh founded the Walsh Gallery exhibiting Contemporary Asian art for 18 years. She is a founder of MIRAA Mixed Reality Academy for the Arts. She is a frequent lecturer and moderator of panels at national and international festivals, biennials, universities, and art fairs as an expert on Digital Art. These venues include: VREurope (Amsterdam), VRHAM! (Hamburg), Virtual Worlds (Munich), Ars Elektronika (Linz), the Cameroon National Pavilion at the Venice biennale, Recto VRso (Laval), SxSw (Austin), NYU (New York), AAMC (Art Association of Museum Curators in NYC, SAIC (Chicago), Luxembourg Art Fair (Luxembourg), Miami Basel (Miami), Paris+ (Paris), Istanbul Digital Art Festival (Istanbul) and The NFT biennial at PSM Zorlu (Istanbul).

In 2021 Ms. Walsh curated the grand opening exhibition for MEET Digital Culture Center’s (Milan) first virtual exhibition. Since then she has curated VR and solo exhibitions in their immersive space and in hybrid forms. Ms. Walsh is also a frequent keynote at MEET. Ms. Walsh has led workshops on XR as well as on art made for the blockchain. In 2021 Ms. Walsh was the second invited curator to exhibit for Feral File. In addition, Ms. Walsh co-curated the launch of the NFT Biennial at PSM Zorlu in Istanbul January 2023.  In June 2023 Ms.Walsh co-curated the Istanbul Digital Art Festival. In March 2023 Ms.Walsh moderated a panel at SxSW with Jean-Michel Jarre, Hsin-Chien Huang and Maud Clauvier on how XR is revolutionizing the music industry. In 2024 Ms. Walsh was in the Best of Tech jury for the FilmGate Interactive Festival (Miami), is a WAC Museums mentor and co-curated IDAF2024 and will appear on an episode of TRT 2 called ”The Digital Form of Art” as well as being interviewed for Kent Bye’s “Voices of VR” podcast. Ms.Walsh was also an invited expert on Digital art chosen from America  to be part of the  Digital Art Focus Program in 2024 sponsored by the Institute Français and with the Chroniques Biennial in Southern France. Ms. Walsh is currently an advisor to the MEET Digital Culture Center (Milan)   Ms.Walsh is a jury member for Interactive and Immersive Art for the 2024 and 2025 Lumens Prize (London). In Nov.2024 Ms.Walsh curated “Living in the (UN)real “ a solo show of Hsin-Chien Huang at MEET Digital Culture Center (Milan). Also on view in the immersive room was “The Eye and I” a collaboration between Hsin-Chien Huang and Jean-Michel Jarre. In 2025 Ms. Walsh was on the International Selection Committee for the Lumen’s prize, and was on the jury for Recto VRso (Laval, France). Also in 2025, Ms.Walsh was a mentor for an M.A.student in ASU's Narrative and Emerging Media program
(LA) In 2025 she was a contributor to ArtForum for the Best of 2024 reviews and wrote an article on Rafael-Lozano Hammer’s “Dark Ride”. She is  the digital art curator for O-cinema:art/film:experiences, a new art center that is opening fall 2026 in Miami, Florida.

Vivian Marthell

CEO/CCO

Whitis

Make it in Texas! Film, TV and Digital Media Meet Up

Women in Film & Televison Austin Hosts Connect & Collaborate

Film & TV Audience and Community Building Meet Up

Latine/x Voices in Film: Creatives Meet-Up!

Come connect with fellow creators and curious minds exploring XR Film. Whether you’re already making immersive work or just excited by what’s possible, join us to mingle, share ideas, and spark conversations about the future of XR storytelling.


Artist Demo Listening Session (Hip-Hop/Rap/R&B) Part 2 Presented by Discovr Radio

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.

Kato On The Track

Music Producer

Kato is a #1 Billboard-Charting Producer, content creator, and Forbes-featured entrepreneur with over 1.8M followers. Unlike most Musicians, Kato is uniquely positioned at the intersection of music, education, culture, and the creator economy.

Kato's music has garnered over 5B+ views across socials through viral campaigns, millions of UGC videos, and over 770M streams worldwide. He’s worked with Grammy-Winning, Multi-Platinum Artists like Snoop Dogg, Jack Harlow, Lecrae, E-40, Tyga, Joyner Lucas and more.

Music Clubhouse

Artist Demo Listening Session (Pop) Part 1 Presented by Discovr Radio

Artist Demo Listening Sessions, Presented by Discovr Radio, at SXSW are an interactive format where attendees have the opportunity to play demos for music experts, sparking real-time feedback and meaningful industry connections. You must be present to have your music in the running to be heard! SXSW attendees not having demos played are encouraged to attend and listen in on the fun! Each session will be followed up a social hour. Physical submissions will not be accepted at the door. Demo’s will be played on a first-come, first-served basis and attendees must submit their demo’s prior to the day of the session  by 11:59pm.  Please carefully read and fill out the form below to officially submit your demo: https://airtable.com/appYFNh7bkKd8nmwh/pagfBEWaVPizme5jr/form

ARTIST DEMO LISTENING SESSION (HIP-HOP/RAP/R&B) PART 2 PRESENTED BY DISCOVR RADIO

Discovr Radio

Discovr is an artist-focused service that lets musicians and songwriters have their music played on radio station streams, alongside broadcast programming. Artists, labels, managers, and distributors can use Discovr to upload tracks and have them inserted into radio streams – in place of ad interruptions – through faidr, a radio streaming app. Once a track has been approved, Discovr customers can monitor listener engagement and behavior through a robust analytics dashboard.

Artist Demo Listening Session (Pop) Part 2 Presented by Discovr Radio

Artist Demo Listening Session (Music for Sync) Presented by Discovr Radio

Artist Demo Listening Session (Hip-Hop/Rap/R&B) Part 1 Presented by Discovr Radio

Artist Demo Listening Session (Indie/Rock/Alt) Presented by Discovr Radio


Mentor Session: Monika Varma Samtani (Ms. Media/SOUNDVILLA)

Monika Varma Samtani

Founder

Monika Samtani is a former CBS television news anchor turned presentation coach, creative strategist, and producer. She is the founder of Ms. Media Productions, home to Shop The Films, an innovative brandtech matchmaking platform to fund films; and SOUNDVILLA, a global music showcase spotlighting South Asian and diverse artists in the live music and festival space. With 30+ years of experience in speaking, publicity, and creative development, she helps all artists own their narrative, build confident public presence, and raise cultural impact through storytelling and visibility — across media, stages, and digital platforms.

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 Live Events, Management, Women in Music.

MENTOR SESSION: MONIKA VARMA SAMTANI (MS. MEDIA/SOUNDVILLA)