Producers Mentor Session: Hillary Pierce (Wild Idea)

Hillary Pierce

Producer/Director

Hillary Pierce is an EMMY® award winning documentary filmmaker who floats between the city life of Austin and the desert of Far West Texas. She spent several years working in scripted film and television in her native North Carolina before relocating to New York City to begin a career in documentary film under the tutelage of Direct Cinema pioneer Albert Maysles.
She has spent the better part of the last decade producing feature documentaries including Keith Maitland's 2016 films TOWER and A SONG FOR YOU: THE AUSTIN CITY LIMITS STORY, Ben Masters' 2019 THE RIVER AND THE WALL, and Maisie Crow’s AT THE READY.
TOWER is a largely animated re-telling of the first mass American school shooting at the University of Texas in 1966. This action-packed documentary shares the untold story of that day - when the worst in one man brought out the best in so many others. It won the Grand Jury Documentary Prize and Audience Award at SXSW in 2016, broadcast nationally on PBS’ Independent Lens, was shortlisted for an Academy Award, nominated for a Peabody, and won the 2018 EMMY® for Outstanding Historical Documentary.
Hillary followed the success of TOWER with THE RIVER AND THE WALL , a politics-meets-adventure film that followed five friends as they travel the entire length of the Texas-Mexico border to see firsthand the effects Trump's border wall would have on the people and environment. THE RIVER AND THE WALL premiered at SXSW in 2019 and won the Louis Black "Lone Star" Award. It was released theatrically and digitally in May of 2019 and broadcast on Starz the following October. THE RIVER AND THE WALL was nominated for the 2020 EMMY® for Outstanding Nature Documentary.
She produced EMMY® award-winning director Maisie Crow's intimate coming of age teen law enforcement doc AT THE READY which premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and can be seen streaming on Max.
Most recently she worked with acclaimed fashion photographer turned documentary director Ethan James Green for the short film THIS GIRL’S LIFE: ON GROWING UP TRANS IN TEXAS which is streaming on Vogue.com.
Hillary is currently developing several documentaries as well as consulting for fellow filmmakers. She is a member of the International Documentary Association and the Documentary Producers Alliance.

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

PRODUCERS MENTOR SESSION: HILLARY PIERCE (WILD IDEA)


Producers Mentor Session: Juliet Blake (Hank Dog Inc)

Juliet Blake

Film & TV Producer

Juliet Blake is a British-American film, television producer. She was President of Jim Henson TV,  Head of Television for TED Talks & a senior exec at Nat Geo. Blake executive produced the TED Talks Live TV on Broadway, a series for PBS & produced TED Talks India Nayi Soch on Star Plus in India in Hindi, hosted by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. In addition, she produced the film The Hundred-Foot Journey with Steven Spielberg & Oprah Winfrey She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Savannah College of Art & Design for her work in film & tv.

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 Doc Filmmakers, Development, Screenwriting, International, Narrative Filmmakers.

PRODUCERS MENTOR SESSION: JULIET BLAKE (HANK DOG INC)

Film & TV track sponsored by Crunchyroll


Featured Session: Cast and Creators on HBO's ROOSTER with Steve Carell, Matt Tarses, Bill Lawrence, and more

Charly Clive

Actress

Charly Clive is a British actress best known for her starring role as ‘Marnie’ in the HBO Max and Channel 4 (UK) comedy series “Pure.” Clive also starred opposite Paapa Essiedu in both series of Sky Max's “The Lazarus Project” written by Joe Barton, which received critical and commercial acclaim.
Clive co- stars opposite Steve Carell in the upcoming HBO original comedy series “Rooster,” premiering in March. The show follows Steve Carell who portrays an author navigating a complicated relationship with his daughter (played by Charly) while they both work on the same college campus.

Danielle Deadwyler

Actor

Danielle Deadwyler is an acclaimed American actress and multidisciplinary artist known for her emotionally fearless performances across film, television, and theater. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she brings intellectual depth and profound humanity to each role she inhabits.

Deadwyler holds a B.A. in History and African American Studies from Spelman College, an M.A. in American Studies from Columbia University, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Ashland University. She began her career on the Atlanta stage, earning multiple theater awards before transitioning to screen.

She received international acclaim for her portrayal of Mamie Till-Mobley in Till (2022), earning nominations for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, among numerous critics’ honors. Her performance was widely cited as one of the year’s most powerful.

Her recent work includes The Piano Lesson (2024), for which she received Screen Actors Guild, Critics Choice, and multiple film critics’ nominations for Best Supporting Actress, as well as film and television roles in The Harder They Fall, Station Eleven, From Scratch, and Watchmen.  Up next she will star in "Rooster" and the latest season of "Euphoria, both on HBO.

In 2025, TIME named Deadwyler one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, cementing her status as one of today’s most vital and respected artists.

Steve Carell

Actor and Showrunner

Award winning actor and producer of film, television and theatre.

Bill Lawrence

Co-Showrunner

Bill Lawrence is an award-winning television writer, producer and director.

Through his production company Doozer Productions, Bill has a number of shows in various stages of production at Warner Bros. Television:  Shrinking, season 3 begins streaming on Apple TV January 2026; Rooster, HBO comedy starring Steve Carell which will launch in March 2026; and Bad Monkey starring Vince Vaughn, also for Apple TV, which is in production with its second season which will stream in 2026.

Additionally, Bill is a co-creator/executive producer of Ted Lasso, the two-time Emmy Award-winner for Outstanding Comedy Series, which is set to return for season 4 on Apple TV.  He is executive producing the Scrubs reboot for ABC from 20th Television which launches in February 2026.

Bill previously created and executive-produced Scrubs and co-created Cougar Town, Ground Floor, Spin City, and Clone High.  Scrubs, which was twice nominated for an Emmy Award, was also named a Future Classic by the TV Land cable network and was the winner of both a Humanitas Award and an Imagen Award.  Bill also executive-produced/supervised numerous shows under his Doozer banner including Whiskey Cavalier, Undateable, Nobody’s Watching, Surviving Jack, Head of the Class, and the Clone High reboot for HBO Max.

Matt Tarses

Showrunner

Matt Tarses is an Emmy nominated and two-time Humanitas Award-winning writer and producer. He created and executive produced WORST WEEK and MAD LOVE for CBS, ALEX, INC. for ABC and TEACHERS for NBC. He has been a writer/producer on SCRUBS, SPORTS NIGHT, THE GOLDBERGS, ATYPICAL, and THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR. He’s currently an executive producer/showrunner on the Apple TV+ series BAD MONKEY as well as the HBO series ROOSTER starring Steve Carell.

Salon 6-8

Featured Session: A Conversation With Spotify's New Co-CEO About The Past, Present And Future Of Delivering Creativity To The World

Featured Session: Shaping Brand Relevance for a New Generation

Featured Session: A Waste of Time with Larry David and Jeff Schaffer

Featured Session: Why Saying Yes to the Unthinkable Works

Featured Session: Albuquerque Aftermath: From Breaking Bad to Pluribus with Rhea Seehorn, Vince Gilligan, and Key Creatives

Join the cast and creators behind the HBO Original comedy series ROOSTER, from Warner Bros. Television, for a conversation about the making of the show. Panelists include co-showrunners, executive producers, and writers Bill Lawrence ("Ted Lasso,” “Shrinking”) and Matt Tarses ("Scrubs"), along with series stars Steve Carell (“Greg Russo”/EP), Charly Clive (“Katie Russo”), and Danielle Deadwyler (“Dylan Shepherd”).

American Sign Language
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FEATURED SESSION: CAST AND CREATORS ON HBO'S ROOSTER WITH STEVE CARELL, MATT TARSES, BILL LAWRENCE, AND MORE


Producers Mentor Session: Ron Schmidt

Ron Schmidt

Executive Producer

Ron Schmidt is an accomplished film and television producer known for his keen eye for talent and quality storytelling. With over three decades in the industry, he has played a pivotal role in the production of numerous award-winning films and television series including HBO’s “TASK” starring Mark Ruffalo, “The Sympathizer” starring Robert Downey Jr and directed by Park Chan-Wook, the acclaimed “House of the Dragon” - HBO’s prequel to “Game of Thrones”, and “Mare of Easttown” starring Kate Winslet where he shared the Emmy nomination for Best Television Movie and Directors Guild of America nomination for producing. For HBO’s “Watchmen”, he won an Emmy for Best Limited Series and for Bessie, he won an Emmy for Best Television Movie.

A New Jersey native, Schmidt attended Emerson College and then graduated from Syracuse University before beginning his film career in Los Angeles in the early 1990s, first as a production coordinator on such titles as Matthew Broderick’s “Infinity,” Guillermo del Toro’s “Mimic” and Scott Silver’s reboot of “The Mod Squad,” before graduating to unit production manager on several productions, notably Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller’s 2005 classic, “Sin City.”

Schmidt went on to produce such notable films as “Promised Land” for Gus Van Sant, “Foxcatcher” for Bennett Miller, “Black Snake Moan” for Craig Brewer, “The TV Set” for Jake Kasdan and “Operation Finale” for Chris Weitz.

He is currently working on HBO’s and DC’s “Lanterns” from EPs Chris Mundy and Damien Lindeloff starring Kyle Chandler & Aaron Pierre.

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


Mentor Session: Jeongbeom Kim (KreatorsNetwork)

Jeongbeom Kim

Chief Data Officer

Jeongbeom Kim is a Seoul-based Chief Data Officer at Kreatorsnetwork , where he builds data and AI-driven insight tools for K-pop labels and artists. Earlier in his career, he worked at FUGA, a global B2B music distribution and services company, where he gained hands-on understanding of how metadata, reporting, and delivery workflows move through the distribution side of the industry. That experience with real-world data flows now underpins his work with Kreatorsnetwork’s exclusive Luminate partnership in Korea, helping teams turn streaming, social, and fan-behavior data into concrete decisions about releases, export markets, and touring.

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 Data, Music Tech, Emerging Technologies.

MENTOR SESSION: JEONGBEOM KIM (KREATORSNETWORK)


Mentor Session: Gabo Arora (lightshed.io)

Gabo Arora

Founder And Inaugural Director, Momi Lab

Gabo Arora is a world renowned multi-award winning immersive artist, professor, entrepreneur and former UN diplomat who works with the most cutting-edge emerging technologies, including virtual and augmented reality, to tell some of the most important stories of our time. Widely recognized as a pioneer of new documentary formats, his work, part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA), has been described by the BBC and LA Times, amongst many others, as “game changing”, “powerful, moving and without precedent”, and “transcending all the typical barriers of rectangular cinema.”

Room 400-402

Mentor Session: Ali Tager (National Cryptocurrency Association)

Mentor Session: Aniesia Williams (dreambloc)

Mentor Session: Avantika Bagri (Centana Growth Partners)

Mentor Session: Brittan Heller (Stanford Law School)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Immersive Technology, Storytelling, XR.

MENTOR SESSION: GABO ARORA (LIGHTSHED.IO)


Mentor Session: Amir Bozorgzadeh (Virtuleap)

Amir Bozorgzadeh

Amir is cofounder and CEO at Virtuleap, a VR startup that delivers immersive VR digital therapeutics that enhance focus, memory, and early detection of cognitive disorders, empowering minds from ADHD to Alzheimer’s. Previous to Virtuleap, Amir founded Gameguise, a mobile games studio based in Dubai, and Time Dirham the first social impact startup to introduce time banking to the Middle East. He is an alumni of York University and THNK School of Creative Leadership. Amir has been a contributing writer to tech blogs like VentureBeat and Tech Crunch on the topics of emerging tech, spatial computing, and startup ecosystems.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in XR, Immersive Technology, Entrepreneurship, Funding.

MENTOR SESSION: AMIR BOZORGZADEH (VIRTULEAP)


How To Break Into a Broken Hollywood: Writing Horror in 2026

C. Robert Cargill

Screenwriter/ Producer/ Co-Founder

C. Robert Cargill is a co-founder of Crooked Highway, the Clarke Award-shortlisted author of SEA OF RUST, and such books as DAY ZERO, DREAMS AND SHADOWS, and WE ARE WHERE THE NIGHTMARES GO, as well as the co-writer of such films as SINISTER, Marvel’s DOCTOR STRANGE, and THE BLACK PHONE.

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

Streamers and studios are consolidating, a full third of television production has been cut, people aren't going to the movies as often anymore, and professionals are not only leaving the industry, but the trades have begun reporting when prominent ones do. But you're undeterred. You intend to break in. And many are saying horror is the industry's salvation. Screenwriter and Producer C. Robert Cargill (Sinister, Doctor Strange, The Gorge, The Black Phone) will discuss writing horror for Hollywood, tips and tricks on how to write, sell, and produce, and share what he’s learned about navigating the current environment swollen with unsold scripts.

HOW TO BREAK INTO A BROKEN HOLLYWOOD: WRITING HORROR IN 2026


Mentor Session: Pedro Kurtz (Deezer)

Pedro Kurtz

Director, Content & Operations, Americas

Pedro Kurtz is an experienced music industry professional with a comprehensive background in both indie and mainstream sectors. Currently serving as Director of Content and Operations for the Americas at Deezer, he acts as the liaison between HQ and the regions to align strategies, while focusing on leveraging user engagement, artist-fan connections, and relationships within the music industry, as well as creating original content and music strategies for partners. With over 10 years in the field, Pedro brings a holistic perspective to the music business, encompassing strategic content and relationship development alongside operational excellence. In addition to his role at Deezer, he serves as an ambassador for Glocalization studies.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Streaming & Programming, Live Events, Music Tech.


Mentor Session: Phil Golub (WONGDOODY)

Phil Golub

SVP Experience Design, Americas

Phil is an award-winning Experience Design leader who thrives at the intersection of empathy, capability, and delivery, where customer relationships are positively transformed and value is unlocked at speed, scale, and precision. A designer at heart, he partners closely with researchers, engineers, and product managers to create systems at scale, with human-centered thinking at the core.

He believes in the combined power of experience, strategy, and technology to conceive and construct experiences, services, and content that create measurable value for brands, transform how companies interact with their customers, and improve people’s lives.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Product Management/Development, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Future of Work.


Mentor Session: Numa Dhamani (iVerify)

Numa Dhamani

Head of Machine Learning

Numa Dhamani is the co-author of Introduction to Generative AI, Head of Machine Learning at iVerify, and a lecturer at The University of Texas at Austin. She is a natural language processing expert with domain expertise in trust, safety, and security. She has built AI systems for social media platforms, Fortune 500 companies, and mission-driven startups, and she advises on AI safety, security, and governance. Numa has served as Principal Investigator on U.S. Department of Defense research programs, been a fellow at Yale Law School’s Information Society Project, and contributed to the first international study on hate speech with the University of Houston. She is passionate about building responsible AI and working toward a safer, more transparent digital ecosystem.

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


PR & Media Professionals Meet Up

Tony Fay

Founder & CEO

As Founder & CEO of Tony Fay Public Relations (TFPR), Fay leads the nationally-recognized communications agency. The firm has been a finalist for Small Agency of the Year three times (2024, 2023, 2022) at the PRNEWS Platinum Awards, winning the award in 2023, and has been recognized as part of the PRNEWS Agency Elite Top 120 list each of the last three years (2026, 2025 and 2024). TFPR was also awarded a 2025 PRSA Award of Excellence among its PR firm peers at the 81st anniversary Anvil Awards in New York City. Fay was named as one of PRNEWS’ 2024 People of the Year in the CEO category; PRNEWS scours the nation for the most inspiring public relations professionals. The list starts with CEOs and also includes top marketing innovators, crisis communicators, and media relations specialists. Fay also won a prestigious PRSA Dallas Pegasus Award for 2024 PR Executive of the Year.

Tony Fay PR has been named to Sports Business Journal’s list for Best Places to Work in Sports in 2025, 2024 and 2023.

Combining a leading sports practice with an impressive roster of non-profit clients, TFPR’s storytelling impact can be felt both through acclaimed worldwide events and heartwarming philanthropic efforts that bring communities together. Among its sports clients, TFPR proudly represents the College Football Playoff, PGA of America, Dallas Stars, GF Sports & Entertainment, Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Florida Citrus Sports, Dallas Wings, Dallas Trinity FC, and American Airlines Center. Also in its entertainment portfolio, the firm delivers for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, The American Rodeo, and Heritage Auctions.

TFPR is one of a select handful of planning partners to work on each of the first 10 National Championships of the College Football Playoff era. The team has also led marketing communications, community impact and volunteer coordination for the North Texas Local Organizing Committee for 2014 NCAA Men’s Final Four and regional media outreach for WrestleMania XXXVIII, the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, and twice the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards.

The firm’s non-profit roster includes stalwarts of Dallas philanthropy: Klyde Warren Park, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Children’s Medical Center Foundation, American Cancer Society, Children’s Cancer Fund, and St. Philip’s School and Community Center.

In 2022, TFPR partnered with Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Troy Aikman to produce Highway to Henryetta Presented by AT&T. The all-star country music festival, headlined by Blake Shelton, raised funds for Aikman’s hometown of Henryetta, Oklahoma. TFPR managed all aspects of the event, including soliciting high-level sponsors, booking a dozen performances, and selling enough tickets to effectively triple the town’s population during the festival.

Prior to founding TFPR, Fay served as Vice President of Communications for the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee. Under his guidance, the North Texas Host Committee designed the largest community impact program in Super Bowl history, resulting in 44,140 North Texas youths (grades K-8) contributing 445,814 service hours. From 1987-1999, Fay worked for the Dallas Mavericks, rising from an intern to the head of the club’s communications department and a member of the senior management team.

Fay has been recognized six times (2020-2025) by D CEO magazine as part of its D500, recognizing the most influential business leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Dallas chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). A proud product of the University of North Texas’ Mayborn School of Journalism, he served on the Mayborn School Board of Advisors (2012-14) and in 2013 received the Mayborn Alumni Appreciation award. Fay has run seven marathons, including the New York City Marathon twice (2017, 1997). Tony and his wife Kate have an affinity for animals, music, and running. His beloved daughter Katie is a recent graduate of SMU and is pursuing a career in public relations.

Join fellow sports, entertainment, and brand communications professionals for a PR and media meetup during SXSW, hosted by Tony Fay Public Relations. This gathering brings together publicists, media strategists, brand leaders, journalists, producers, and marketers working at the intersection of culture, live events, and storytelling.

Designed as a networking opportunity, this meetup is part of the SXSW experience and brings together peers working across sports, entertainment, and brand communications. Attendees can expect engaging conversations around media strategy, brand storytelling, partnerships, live events, and how PR continues to evolve in an increasingly real-time, content-driven landscape.

Whether you’re looking to expand your network, exchange ideas, or reconnect with industry colleagues, all sports, entertainment, and brand PR and media professionals are welcome.

Brand & Marketing track sponsored by Youtube


Mentor Session: David Bason (7S MGMT)

David Bason

Head of West Coast

Bason began his career as tour manager in 1997, where he met David Bendeth, a subsequent management client. In 2001, after leading the charge at RCA Records to sign the band The Strokes, Bason began running the alternative arm of Roadrunner Records, where his first signing was The Dresden Dolls – whose lead singer Amanda Palmer went on to become a Kickstarter cover girl and New York Times Best-Selling author, as well as signing The Cult and The New York Dollsfor their 2006 comeback album, One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This.
In 2009, after seven years at Roadrunner Records and A&R stints with Red Bull Records, Decca Records and Century Media records Bason was recruited to join the LA-based boutique firm The MGMT Company. While there, Bason managed Thirty Seconds to Mars, among others.
Bason has headed the west coast at 7S Management since 2019. Bason also sings and writes for the bands War Orphan, Barfbag, and Lords of The Drift.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Management.


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

Katie Theobalds

Senior Creative Producer

Katie is a versatile and creative professional with years of experience in advertising, branding, sync and bespoke music production. She started her career with Island Records, Universal Music Group in marketing and brand partnerships before moving into the ad space at legacy agency BBDO New York as a music supervisor, leading campaigns for high-profile brands like Meta, Bacardi, M&Ms and Macy’s. She then transitioned vendor side to Storefront Music, where she leverages her musical and creative expertise as Senior Creative Producer and works closely with a robust roster of talent to create original music for campaigns with Google, The NBA, Wells Fargo, Downy and more. With a knack for translating artistic vision into actionable music direction, she continues to pursue her passion for music across all mediums and solve challenges that arise at the intersection of creativity and commerce.

Rebecca Cress

Director, Music Publishing Repertoire Development

Rebecca Cress is Director, Music Publishing Catalog Development at BMG (New York), specializing in catalog strategy, writer development, and cross‑departmental sync initiatives. She oversees partnerships with clients including John Legend/Friends at Work, the Johnny Cash Trust/Sandbox, The Kooks, George Harrison/ Dark Horse, Aerosmith/724 Management, Peter Frampton, and John Sebastian. She also leads creative programs such as interpolation workshops and listening sessions that connect frontline priorities with iconic catalog works.

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 (POP) 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 1 Presented by Discovr Radio

Artist Demo Listening Session (Hip-Hop/Rap/R&B) 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: Guji Lorenzana (Symphonic Distribution)

Guji Lorenzana

Director, A&R and Client Development, Asia-Pacific

Guji Lorenzana is Symphonic Distribution’s Director, A&R & Client Development, Asia-Pacific. He is responsible for expanding Symphonic's artist roster and negotiating new business partnerships with APAC companies to grow its presence in the region. He previously served as a Music Content Specialist for YouTube Music, managing content for its Philippines region and building relationships with key industry partners. He then landed the role of Country Manager, Philippines, at Ingrooves Music Group, leading its expansion into the region and establishing partnerships with labels and streaming platforms. He continued this role as Ingrooves was acquired by Virgin Music Group, helping it to emerge as a key player in the region. He also helped Virgin establish its Thailand office.

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 A&R, Distribution.

MENTOR SESSION: GUJI LORENZANA (SYMPHONIC DISTRIBUTION)


Producers Mentor Session: Iliana Sosa

Iliana Sosa

Filmmaker

Iliana Sosa is an Austin-based filmmaker whose work has been showcased at numerous festivals, including SXSW, Full Frame, Camden, Morelia, and the Museum of the Moving Image in New York City. She has received fellowships and residencies from Firelight Media, the Sundance Institute, Berlinale Talents, the True/False–Catapult Rough Cut Retreat, the Logan Nonfiction Program, and the Jacob Burns Film Center.

Her films have been supported by organizations such as the Sundance Institute, the Ford Foundation, Warner Media OneFifty, the SFFILM Rainin Grant, the Austin Film Society, and Field of Vision. Her debut feature, What We Leave Behind (distributed by ARRAY Releasing), won two jury awards at SXSW 2022, was named a New York Times Critic’s Pick, and is currently streaming on Netflix.

Recognized by Filmmaker Magazine as one of the “25 New Faces of Independent Film” in 2020 and by DOC NYC as one of the “40 Under 40” in 2021, Sosa continues to make an impact in the field. Her most recent film, La Frontera, part of the HBO Original Documentary Trilogy God Save Texas, premiered at Sundance 2024 and is now streaming on HBO Max. She is also a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA).

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 Doc Filmmakers, Development.


The Art of Attracting an Audience

Noah Smits

Founder & Media Strategist, Public Speaker

Noah Smits has been working for the top of the music industry since 2017 with names such as Ed Sheeran, Afrojack, David Guetta and hundreds of others. Out of necessity he started using big data / data scraping tools to map people's personality, interests and psychographics. With this he has been able to create behavioral science infused communication strategies to move individuals. Noah's slogan is that we should 'shout' less (top down) and should listen more (bottom up).

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

With people exposed to up to 10,000 calls to action every day, it’s becoming increasingly difficult and expensive for organizations and personal brands to attract audiences. While many believe that more money leads to more awareness, and thus, more audience, research consistently shows otherwise. In fact, aggressive campaigns can backfire when people feel they’re being sold to. The magical key in effective campaigning is rooted in behavioral science, and during this session, people will learn how to create resonating campaigns from crafting communications all the way to advertising techniques.


Dirty Data: The Hidden Climate Cost of Our Digital Lives

Jason Peart

Gm Strategy & Development

Jason Peart is the GM Strategy and Development for Sage Geosystems, a Houston-based company developing pressured geothermal energy solutions for power generation and energy storage. In this role, he is accountable for developing and leading fundraising and financial strategies, business planning, and project pipeline growth. Jason has worked in the energy industry for 18 years, primarily in oil and gas, and has held critical leadership and technical roles with a global impact throughout his career.

Anurag Bajpayee

Ceo And Co-Founder

Anurag Bajpayee is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gradiant, the first unicorn in the water industry. Under his leadership, Gradiant has grown from an MIT startup into a global leader in water and wastewater solutions-transforming how critical industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, renewables, and mining, manage and reuse water. Guided by Gradiant’s purpose to ensure water for generations to come, Anurag has built a company that saves 6.5 billion liters of fresh water every day. His pioneering research in desalination and industrial water treatment laid the foundation for Gradiant, where he continues to innovate at the intersection of business, science, and sustainability to solve the world’s most important water challenges. Anurag earned his master’s and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT.

Thomas Sisto

Co-Founder & CEO

Dr. Thomas Sisto is the CEO and Co-Founder of XL Batteries, which is developing a sustainable, grid-scale organic flow battery that will become one of the lowest-cost, safest, and most efficient forms of long-duration energy storage. He co-founded the company after his team serendipitously discovered molecules that are fundamentally stable in their charged and discharged states while he was a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University. His research has been published in several chemistry journals. Tom has a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Oregon, an MS  in Organic Chemistry from Boston Universit,y and a BS in Chemistry from Colby College.

Breana Wheeler

U.S. Director of Operations

Breana Wheeler became BRE's Director of Operations in the US in June 2016. BRE is a 100-year-old building science research organization that delivers innovative and rigorous products, services, standards and qualifications which are used around the globe to make buildings better for people and for the environment.

BRE developed BREEAM, the world’s first and leading science-based suite of standards defining and validating sustainability performance in the built environment. Since 1990, BREEAM’s standards have helped improve asset performance at every stage, from design through construction, to use and renovation. Millions of buildings across the world are registered to work towards BREEAM’s holistic approach to design, construct and operate sustainable buildings and 750,000+ certificates have been issued for assets in over 100 countries.

Breana oversees the deployment of the BREEAM family of standards in the US, including BREEAM USA In-Use for existing buildings. In addition to market development, she supports technical work on Resilience and Social Impact and developing these themes within all BREEAM standards globally.  Prior to joining BRE, Breana worked for ten years as an internal advisor on environmental and sustainability risk management for large, multinational corporations.

Breana is a Member of the Institute of Sustainability & Environmental Professionals (ISEP, formerly IEMA) and a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) with the Society for the Environment.

She earned her a double Bachelor degree in Geography and Political Science from San Francisco State University and a Masters in Environment, Politics and Globalization from Kings College London.

Room 201-202

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

The Geography of Prosperity: A New Map for Resilient Cities

Saving Monarchs With Machine Learning and Computer Vision

Where Climate Science Meets Industry Innovation

Data centers are the invisible engines behind AI, streaming, and cloud computing—but their carbon and resource footprints are growing fast. Decarbonizing these energy-hungry systems takes more than clean power; it requires a full-scale rethink of how we design, build, power, cool, and manage digital infrastructure. This panel brings together leaders in carbon capture, battery storage, green building, water management, and high-performance infrastructure to explore how we can decarbonize the digital world—from the foundations up.

DIRTY DATA: THE HIDDEN CLIMATE COST OF OUR DIGITAL LIVES


Humans or AI? What Buyers Prefer, According to Neuroscience

Dr. Carmen Simon

Cognitive Neuroscientist & Author

Dr. Carmen Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, Chief Science Officer at Corporate Visions, and founder of Enhancive, an agency that helps customers create memorable communication based on how the brain works. Her most popular books on customers’ attention and memory are called Impossible to Ignore and Made You Look. Dr. Simon also teaches several courses at Stanford University on how to create messages on memory and decision science. After all, what’s the use of memory if people do nothing with it?

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 is transforming business interactions, and one question looms large: do customers prefer human connection? Neuroscience offers a unique lens to answer this. This session shares surprising findings from recent studies tracking how buyers’ brains react in real time to AI agents vs. humans, including what makes AI persuasive, where humans outperform, and why AI often wins attention, but not memory. Drawing on brain scans, voice analysis, and eye tracking, this session reveals what’s actually happening inside your customer’s mind when they interact with AI tools and what to do about it.

HUMANS OR AI? WHAT BUYERS PREFER, ACCORDING TO NEUROSCIENCE


Past is Prologue: Queer History, Legacies & Bold New Futures

Tourmaline

Principal

A Guggenheim Fellow and TIME100 Honoree, Tourmaline is an artist, filmmaker, and writer. A former organizer at the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Tourmaline has built a career rooted in community and trans liberation. Tourmaline’s art is in the permanent collections of The Met, MoMA, Tate, and the Whitney and has been showcased in the Venice Biennale and the Whitney Biennial, and her award-winning films — including the critically acclaimed Happy Birthday, Marsha! — have been recognized for their blend of historical narrative and speculative futurism. As a designer, her trans-inclusive swimwear line with Chromat debuted at New York Fashion Week. Most recently, her national best-selling book MARSHA (May 2025) received a Starred Review by Publishers Weekly and was featured by The New York Times.

Richie Shazam

Director/Artist

Richie Shazam is a visionary artist, photographer, and filmmaker who uses her artistic platform to rewrite fashion and beauty standards and to raise awareness on queer issues. Her artistic approach investigates subversive radical queer ideologies by deconstructing antiquated notions of gender identity through photography and video – harmoniously working between fashion and art to dismantle preconceived notions of beauty through the act of storytelling. As a model, Shazam is signed with IMG Models and has walked runways in cities across the world. Her photography has been featured in major publications including Interview and Vogue. Her book "Shazam" was released in 2023, with a foreword by Julia Fox.

Salon E

Turning Up the Heat: Climate Content That Clicks

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

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

Culture Under Fire: Storytelling for Public Power

How to Win Friends and Overthrow Systems

Visionary artists and activists Richie Shazam and Tourmaline come together to discuss the state of queer and trans identity, legacy, resistance, and progress in America today. Following the 2025 release of Tourmaline’s best selling biography of Marsha P. Johnson, and inspired by their own experiences as multi-disciplinary changemakers, this conversation will focus on the exciting and subversive ways that art and activism can intersect and the lessons we can learn from queer history in order to continue building a more authentic and inclusive future.

PAST IS PROLOGUE: QUEER HISTORY, LEGACIES & BOLD NEW FUTURES


A More Personal Computer: How AI is Transforming Desktops

Vira Tkachenko

Chief Technology & Innovation Officer

I’ve always been fascinated by how Apple combined the power of Unix with aesthetics and simplicity. That passion led me to co-found MacPaw as a student. 17 years later, I’m still here, now serving as CTIO (I stands for innovation).

As a software engineer, my biggest achievement is creating CleanMyMac, the leading macOS maintenance utility. Today, I’m focused on shaping the future: building Eney, a macOS-first AI assistant, and developing a platform to help macOS developers adapt to the Software 3.0 world.

Beyond work, I enjoy sharing ideas as a speaker on leadership, AI, cybersecurity, macOS software development, women in tech and Ukrainian IT. And when I need to recharge, you’ll find me in the garden, exploring nature, or crafting with wood, art, and even Lego.

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

In this session, MacPaw CTO Vira Tkachenko will explore how AI is redefining the concept of the “personal computer,” offering a more intuitive, private, and personalized experience. Drawing on her experience developing for the Apple ecosystem for 17+ years, she will share insights on building AI for macOS. Vira will trace the journey of Macs from their inception and highlight AI trends in software taking place across the industry. Attendees can learn how on-device intelligence enhances productivity, respects user privacy, and keeps the Mac a powerful tool for focused, meaningful work.

MORE PERSONAL COMPUTER: HOW AI IS TRANSFORMING DESKTOPS


Shot by Shot: From Music Videos to Feature Films

Floria Sigismondi

Director

Shane McCauley for NeueJournal c/o NeueHouse

R.t. Thorne

Director

R.T. Thorne is one of Canada’s most eclectic visionary storytellers. He is a multi-award-winning triple threat (director/screenwriter/producer) whose critically acclaimed debut feature film, 40 ACRES, starring Danielle Deadwyler, had its US premiere at SXSW 2025 and had a limited release across North America in the summer of 2025 to widespread critical acclaim, garnering a certified fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its U.S. premiere was at the 2025 SXSW, and it released across the country in the summer of 2025. R.T. is also a prolific television director, creating episodic work for Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Hulu, NBCUniversal, Warner Television, The CW, and BET. His work in television has garnered multiple Canadian Screen Awards and an Emmy Nomination.

Fuliane Petikyan

Managing Partner/Executive Producer

Fuliane Petikyan started at Propaganda Films and has worked as a trusted producer for an innovative roster of directors ever since. She has a keen eye for talent and a passion to tell compelling visual stories. Fuliane has produced music videos for Lizzo, Post Malone, J Balvin, Usher, Maroon 5, Coldplay, David Guetta, Lil Wayne, Migos, Nikki Minaj, and the Black Eyed Peas, among others. She produced Taylor Swift’s “You Need To Calm Down,” which took home Video of the Year at the VMAs, Rosalia’s “Con Altura,” which took home Best Latin Video, and Drake’s “God’s Plan,” which took Video of the Year at the BET Awards. Fuliane also serves as the President of the Music Video Production Association — widely recognized as the official organization representing music video production companies.

Emma Higgins

Director

Vancouver-born Emma Higgins is a writer/director with a distinct genre perspective. Known for her visually striking, bold style, and humanistic approach to complex characters, Emma is quickly establishing herself as a fearless new voice in filmmaking. Her acclaimed debut feature film, SWEETNESS, premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival to rave reviews and ranked as one of the festival's best. Emma endows her film with a pitch-perfect understanding of tone, while anchoring it with her characters’ humanity. Self-taught, Emma established her visual voice directing music videos, where her passion for eye-popping art direction and unique lens has consistently set her work apart. She helmed Jessie Reyez's “No One’s in the Room,” earning the esteemed Video of the Year win at the 2021 Juno Awards.

Mansfield AB

From Vault to Vision: Reviving Film History with AI

Producing Without Borders: Navigating Global Film

Lessons Learned: How We Made Our First Feature

Going Off Script: Filmmaking Through an Indigenous Lens

Annual Legal Update for Indie Film and TV

In this lively conversation between three filmmakers, you’ll hear how they’ve successfully leapt from directing music videos with famous artists to premiering acclaimed features at top global festivals. Emma Higgins’ debut, Sweetness, world-premiered at SXSW 2025; RT Thorne’s film, 40 Acres, had its US debut at SXSW 2025; and Floria Sigismondi’s film, The Runaways, has achieved cult status in pop culture. They will discuss the transition from the tight budgets of videos to the logistics of securing funding for their own stories and having the creative license to fulfill their visions.

SHOT BY SHOT: FROM MUSIC VIDEOS TO FEATURE FILMS


The Anime Advantage: Brand Strategy Meets Cultural Power

Robin Tilotta

Head Of Brand And Gtm Marketing

Robin Tillotta is a marketing vet with over 20 years of experience building brands and elevating global online communities. Tilotta has an entrepreneurial spirit, cutting her teeth early on across emerging industries and verticals such as blogging, fin tech, mobile tech, and social including leadership roles at Twitter and Twitch, where she is currently the Head of Brand and Global Marketing. She has been part of teams that have won Cannes Lions, Webbys, Shortys and more. Some of her most career defining work has included NBA and WNBATwitter, Black Lives Matter Twitter billboards, and the Slayonce Super Bowl ad featuring Twitch.

Uzma Rawn Dowler

Chief Marketing Officer & SVP of Global Corporate Partnerships

Uzma Rawn Dowler is CMO and SVP of Global Corporate Partnerships at Major League Baseball, where she leads global marketing strategy and oversees league sponsorships. She has helped secure landmark partnerships with brands like YouTube TV, Google, Adobe, and MGM, while driving initiatives to grow baseball’s reach and cultural relevance. With nearly 20 years of experience across the NBA, Premier Partnerships, and MLB, she’s a seasoned voice in brand-building, sponsorship, and audience growth.

Darren Traub

SVP, Head Business and Legal Affairs

Darren Traub is the SVP and Head of Business and Legal Affairs at Crunchyroll, where he helps bring some of the world’s most iconic anime, stories, and characters to millions of fans by leading global content deals, distribution strategy, talent partnerships, music initiatives, and live events. A longtime entertainment executive, Darren has spent two decades at the intersection of media, tech, music, and live events, shaping cultural moments like the Travis Scott Fortnite concert, the Lil Nas X Roblox event, and collaborations with Ultra Music Festival, Rolling Loud, and top Hollywood studios. He is known for combining sharp dealmaking with genuine fandom and a deep passion for how storytelling and technology shape the future of entertainment.

Elizabeth Cohen

General Counsel

Elizabeth Cohen is General Counsel at Crunchyroll, overseeing legal strategy to support the brand’s global growth. She joined in 2016 as Associate General Counsel, advising on content, product, marketing, HR, and more. Liz served as Acting General Counsel during Crunchyroll’s acquisition by AT&T/Otter Media and was a key legal lead on its $1.2B sale to Sony. Previously, she held roles at Sony Music and ABKCO. She holds a J.D. from Boston University and a B.A. from NYU.

Waterloo Ballroom 4-6

The B Word: How to Get Creative with Marketing Budget

Meet Gen Alpha: Defying Predictions & Rewiring Marketing

Launching the Ultimate, Research-Driven Creative Power Playbook

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

Anime is no longer a niche! It’s one of today’s most powerful tools for extending franchises, reimagining IP, and reaching global audiences. This panel, with leaders from Crunchyroll,  Major League Baseball, and Twitch, explores how talent, brands, and creators are using anime as both a narrative and business engine to fuel next-gen storytelling. For musicians, athletes, game studios, and fashion labels, anime offers a dynamic, fan-forward way to build immersive worlds, show up meaningfully in pop culture, and engage loyal audiences that drive long-term brand equity.

ANIME ADVANTAGE: BRAND STRATEGY MEETS CULTURAL POWER


HR and HRTech Professionals Meet Up

Tiago Pereira

Customer Success Director

I have over 20 years of experience in marketing, branding, employer branding, and communications working in different sectors, such as retail, oil & gas, and technology. Currently, I am a Customer Success Director at Radancy - the leading global employer branding agency and HR Tech - responsible for managing key accounts in Latin America and developing employer branding strategies for prominent companies, such as Itaú, PepsiCo and Baxter. I am also the co-founder of Oddly Experience, a company focused on creating immersive, insightful and fun programmes for executives within technology and innovation ecosystems and events. Since 2023, Oddly has brought over 50 HR leaders to SXSW, providing exclusive journeys with preparation and mentoring pre-event, content curation, reports and downloads.

Luiz Eduardo Drouet

Founder

I am the founder of Humanship, a community of HR leaders, and Share People Hub, an ecosystem with 8 verticals of HR solutions. Throughout my professional career, I have held leadership positions in relevant organizations such as Campinas Tech, Conscious Capitalism Brazil, the Campinas Commercial and Industrial Association (ACIC), and Amcham-Brazil. I am a specialist in Business Management from FGV (EAESP) and in entrepreneurship from Babson College. I am co-hosting the SXSW HR Professionals and HR Techs Meetup for the second time.

Room 408

Convene, Collaborate, & Cultivate Connection: Moms Meet Up

Since 2023, the HR and HRTech Professionals Meetup has provided a fantastic opportunity for attendees to engage in thought-provoking conversations. For 2026, as industries continue to transform due to new technologies and shifting behaviors, we aim to provoke high-quality discussions on relevant workplace topics, including the implications of AI in career development, employability and HR core activities, talent engagement and attraction, upskilling and reskilling, leadership, culture, and challenges associated with a multi-generational workforce.

Workplace track sponsored by University of Cincinnati


Hands-On UX Design for Agentic AI

Daria Siegel Kempka

Director of UX

Leading the charge as Director of UX at LogicMonitor, Daria steers a dynamic global team of designers and researchers who are on a mission to deliver the best, most useful, most usable observability platform in the world. Before this role, Daria led digital strategy at Marquette University, where she drove digital branding and marketing initiatives and oversaw the people, the processes, and the technology that powered them. Daria brought human-centered design to every role she held, whether designing, developing, producing, or leading, because the work has to work for the people it’s meant for. Her superpower — and kryptonite — is getting cross-functional teams together to solve messy problems in new spaces — so she is eyeball-deep in UX for AI (and AI for UX) right now.

Greg Nudelman

Distinguished Designer

Greg Nudelman solves the hardest problem in AI: creating products customers actually want to buy. Since 2009 (13 years before ChatGPT), he's led 34 AI initiatives generating $500M+ ROI for Fortune 500 companies (Cisco, IBM, GE, Intuit). His Snowball Design Sprint framework helps product teams validate AI concepts in days instead of months—preventing millions in wasted engineering. Author of 6 books, including 'UX for AI' (Amazon #1), 24 patents, 120+ keynotes across 18 countries. UXforAI.com

Brazos I-III

Division Defiance: Building Cross-Racial Solidarity

In Search of Hope: Teaching Climate Emotions Through Story

Beyond Borders: Diverse Alliances for Immigrant Wellbeing

Future-Proof Your Strategy: An AI Test and Learn Lab

Pitch Camp! How To Win Creative Pitches by Being More Human

2026 is the year AI goes fully agentic. UX needs to catch up—or risk sinking with the Figma Titanic. This hands-on workshop is your lifeboat, where we will sketch our way to survival through the stormy waters of agentic AI. Using pencils, sticky notes, and an LLM (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.), we'll prototype autonomous agents using RAG, digital twins, and value matrices. Forget perfect pixels. This is low-fidelity, high-velocity UX for AI. The ship is sinking. Let’s design our way out.


International Syncs You're Missing Out on & How to Get Them

Mike Jansen

Owner/Founder

As owner of the Greater Goods Co., Mike Jansen has worked hard to champion independent music in sync for over 15 years. Starting in Toronto and relocating to Los Angeles, Greater Goods reps a carefully curated roster of labels such as Roc Nation Records, 88 Rising, Mom + Pop, Mass Appeal, and Fader, plus artists like Oasis, Nas, Moby, Victoria Monet, mk.gee, and more. Their placement list features ads for brands like Apple, Nike, Google, Patrón, and Tom Ford, as well as spots in Spider-Verse, Insecure, Booksmart, Killers Of The Flower Moon, Better Call Saul, Euphoria, NBA2K, FC (fka FIFA), Fortnite, etc. Greater Goods is the 3x award winner of Best Indie Sync Team from The Guild Of Music Supervisors Canada.

Goran Obad

Music Supervisor

Born in Bosnia and raised in Norway, Goran is  a partner and music supervisor at Ohlogy,  an independent music agency based in Stockholm, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Oslo & Shanghai.

Adam Ghoubali

Music Creative Director

Looking to meet music supervisors / labels / artists / music-tech founders

Capitol Ballroom FGH

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Syncrets to Success: Conversation With Music Supervisors

Mexico Amplified: How Música Mexicana is Reshaping Global Music

Streaming, Shorts & AI: Where Are Your Royalties Going?

There's a global sync market outside the US that is thriving. And there are key differences to understand if you want to reach them. This curated group of top international music supervisor panelists will discuss not only those key insights but also get practical about how you can tailor your approach to get the attention you need. Whether you're looking to pitch music or become an ad music supervisor yourself, this panel's intention is to be insightful and provide helpful tools for your next steps. The path isn't linear so all are welcome.

INTERNATIONAL SYNCS YOU'RE MISSING OUT ON & HOW TO GET THEM


Dissolve Lab: Clear Your Invisible Barrier Without Burnout

Laurie Mcginley

transformation guide

I guide people to elevated consciousness with neuro science based learning, somatic awareness, and some frick'n magic. I speak in metaphors the way fish breathe in water.

Rio Grande Ballroom 2

Pitching to Angels 101: Think Like an Investor

Play to Build: Prosocial AI for Human Connection

Brand Strategy Workshop for Emerging Tech Companies

Own Your Sh*t (and Your IP): The Creator CEO Playbook

Prompt to Publish - AI Tools for the Modern Content Creator

This immersive, hands-on workshop guides participants through The Dissolve: a nervous-system-safe method for moving through invisible barriers without force or burnout. You’ll name your own stuck point, map its emotional signature, and use tools like breathwork, the Feelings Wheel, and guided visualization to shift it. Walk away with a customized clarity map and a gentle, resonant next step—designed to move you forward with ease instead of push.

DISSOLVE LAB: CLEAR YOUR INVISIBLE BARRIER WITHOUT BURNOUT


Launching New & Legacy Talent in a Disrupted Music Industry

Leslie Rovero

Music Manager & Founder of Connexion Music Group

Leslie manages country music star Clever. An industry veteran with over thirty years of
experience, she has helped launch major artists across rap, rock, and country. Having witnessed
the music industry’s evolution over three decades, Leslie brings invaluable insight into how artists
can strategically adapt and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

Suzie Abdou

Co-Founder & Partner

Suzie is an entertainment manager and producer whose work bridges film, television, and music. Alongside her business partner, Arlene Silguero, she develops and produces projects across genres from documentaries and scripted features to live events and animation that fuse culture, purpose, and creativity. Her collaborations span award-winning talent, global brands, and emerging voices committed to meaningful, high-impact storytelling.

Mike G.

Music Agent & Partner

Mike G is a leading agent representing major music talent globally. He helps artists build impactful careers through touring, brand partnerships, and platform strategy. His expertise spans both early-stage development and career longevity in a fast-changing market.

Rika Tischendorf

General Manager

Rika manages R&B legend Babyface and has helped guide his continued relevance across decades. She brings deep expertise in artist branding, legacy reinvention, and building career narratives that resonate with new audiences.

Capitol Ballroom E

Tour Support 2.0: How Mental Health is Reshaping Live Music

From Streams to Strategy: The Label Services Evolution

Rock’s Biggest Promoter on the Future of Festivals

Music Nostalgia: The Secret Weapon in Modern Advertising

This panel convenes a powerhouse group of professionals across talent representation, production, and management to explore what it really takes to break an artist in 2026.

LAUNCHING NEW & LEGACY TALENT IN A DISRUPTED MUSIC INDUSTRY


Break the Algorithm: Why Safe Marketing Is Dead

Mariana O’Kelly

Executive Creative Director

Mariana is a globally recognized creative leader with 27 years of experience, including leading the Kellogg’s creative team. Named one of the top-performing ECDs in the world by the Gunn Report, she’s won multiple Cannes Lions Grand Prix and over 70 international awards. In 2025, she was named to Ad Age’s “62 Creatives to Watch.” Mariana has also led breakthrough work for brands like KFC, Cadbury, Kimberly-Clark, MTV, and Philips. She gravitates toward work rooted in emotion, insight, and culture. Beyond the work, Mariana is committed to industry transformation, in fact, during her time at Ogilvy Johannesburg (2015–2019), she hired more female creatives than any other ECD in the global WPP network.

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

Playing it safe is the riskiest move a brand can make. In today’s culture, audiences crave authenticity, emotion, and tension - and the boldest campaigns are the ones that break through. Mariana O’Kelly, Executive Creative Director at Leo Chicago, explores how brands that embrace discomfort, controversy, and cultural tension are redefining connection in a crowded media landscape. From transforming missteps into cultural moments to using emotional storytelling that sparks conversation, this session reveals why bold thinking isn’t just creative, it’s essential for growth.

BREAK THE ALGORITHM: WHY SAFE MARKETING IS DEAD


How Music with Games is Rewriting the Soundtrack of Culture

Jacqui Bransky

Vp Innovation

Jacqui Bransky is a leading expert in emerging technologies within the music industry and the founder of Inside Out Labs, a consultancy that advises record labels, management teams, and music tech and gaming companies on creative marketing and artist-technology strategy.

She most recently served as VP of Digital Innovation at Warner Records, where she led the development and execution of cutting-edge digital strategies that kept Warner artists at the forefront of tech and helped them connect with fans in new, high-impact ways. Her work supported revenue growth and audience expansion for artists including Cher, Dua Lipa, Teddy Swims, Linkin Park, The Black Keys, and NLE Choppa.

Before Warner, Jacqui held several leadership roles across the industry. As Director of Commercial Innovation & Artist Strategy at Universal Music Group, she built and launched new digital goods programs and metaverse initiatives across artists, labels, partners, and marketplaces.

Her background also includes significant experience in artist management and marketing. As Head of U.S. Marketing at FRNDS MGMT, she worked with artists such as Alison Wonderland, Chet Porter, Crooked Colours, The DMA’S, and GRAACE. She played a key role in integrating early blockchain technologies and driving the success of Alison Wonderland’s WonderQuest project, which has generated over $3M to date.

Jacqui Bransky is a forward-thinking leader and innovator, known for pushing boundaries and helping artists and companies navigate and shape the future of music and technology.

Matheus Fonseca

CEO / Co-Founder

Matheus “Matt” Fonseca is the CEO and Co-founder of Moonsworth, creators of Lunar Client, the most widely used Minecraft platform with over 3 million monthly active users and peaks of more than 400,000 concurrent players. Matt leads the company’s vision, strategy, and product direction while guiding its growth across the global Minecraft community. Under his leadership, Lunar Client introduced the first system in Minecraft that allows players to pair songs with in-game emotes, along with a built-in radio mod. Matt has expanded Moonsworth’s presence across gaming and the broader creator ecosystem. He remains focused on community-driven innovation and shaping the future of the Minecraft UGC experience.

Alex Tarrand

Co-Founder / COO

Alex is the COO, cofounder of STYNGR and a veteran video game technologist. While at EA he built the first scaled mobile game advertising platform solution in the market. While at the NFL he ran the PMO that built the first ever machine learning affinity based digital network. Having built and led teams across Disney, EA, Microsoft, and the NFL he has a passion for gaming and has gone on to launch multiple gaming focused companies.

STYNGR is the only platform, fully backed and financed by all of the major labels, that allows creator platforms and the ecosystem of gaming to seamlessly integrate and monetize recorded music. In 2026 they are positioned to launch the world's first scaled music & gaming UGC platform.

Joseph Perla

CEO / Founder

Joseph Perla is the Founder and CEO of Hangout.fm, a social music platform that blends real-time listening experiences with community-driven discovery. A serial entrepreneur with four startups, he previously built teams at Facebook and Lyft, and led product at Turntable.fm. A Princeton graduate, Joseph is focused on transforming how communities interact with music and artists—scaling Hangout to over a million users across 100+ countries without ads.

Waller Ballroom D

Media That Matters: Nuclear Weapons & the Next Generation

Rethinking Higher Education to Build an AI-First Workforce

The Big Blur: Rethinking the Transition from School to Work

Building AI Pathways for HBCU Talent & Community Impact

The Fandom Force: How to Create a Fan-First Social Approach

The world’s biggest gaming platforms aren’t battlefields, they’re social networks with soundtracks players choose, share, and craft. This panel brings together innovators from STYNGR, Moonsworth (Lunar), Hangout, and the Major Labels to explore how music discovery, creator tools, and community-driven worlds are reshaping the relationship between artists, players, and platforms. Learn how mods, servers, and UGC economies are becoming the next frontier for music engagement and fandom. Join us for an in depth review of how to harness and monetize the power and cultural capital of music

HOW MUSIC WITH GAMES IS REWRITING THE SOUNDTRACK OF CULTURE


Behind the Scenes: Empowering Production with AI Tools

Brad Miller

Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine

Brad Miller helps leading entertainment companies bring their creative visions to life by negotiating major business transactions and providing strategic counsel on legal and business risks. With over 25 years of experience, Brad has served as both in-house and outside counsel to many of the top names in the entertainment industry. Prior to joining DWT, he was Associate General Counsel and Head of Global Production Legal at Amazon Studios. In 2024, Variety recognized Brad in both its Legal Impact Report and Dealmakers Report, which highlight the industry's most influential entertainment attorneys. Brad's practice spans the full landscape of the entertainment business.

Dan Scharf

Head of Global Business Operations, Amazon MGM Studios

Dan is the Head of Global Business Operations at Amazon Studios, where he’s helped guide the company’s evolution into a global entertainment powerhouse. A former public defender, he’s held senior legal roles at SAG, Fox, Disney, and the Jim Henson Company. At Amazon, he has led major deals including the relaunch of United Artists and partnerships with MrBeast and Scott Stuber. Throughout his career, Dan has been driven by curiosity, creative dealmaking, and a willingness to take bold bets.

Anastasia Alen

Counsel at Davis Wright Tremaine

Anastasia negotiates high-priority deals and transactions while providing strategic guidance for media and entertainment companies, independent producers, brands, and other content creators across critical stages of development, production, and exploitation. Anastasia's practice includes all aspects of production legal (including drafting, structuring, and negotiating above-the-line, below-the-line, vendor, and other contracts; day-to-day counseling, strategic analysis, and risk management); agreement form creation, review, and analysis; high-level production legal oversight; content review; on-set legal counseling; content license review, analysis, and negotiation; rights analysis and contract interpretation; and other business and legal affairs services on an as-needed basis.

Ajay Patel

Global Head of Legal, Amazon MGM Studios

As the Global Head of Legal for Amazon MGM Studios, Ajay spearheads a diverse, multinational legal team strategically positioned across key global markets. Amazon MGM's U.S. legal team is based in offices across Culver City, Beverly Hills, New York, and Miami. Its international presence extends to ten countries in Europe, India, Japan, and Latin America. This expansive network enables the team to provide comprehensive legal support for our development and production efforts on a global scale. Ajay's role encompasses navigating the entire lifecycle of original television and motion picture content and providing critical legal guidance on high-stakes matters.

Bridge Ballroom AB

“It’s in Development” Creating Great TV for Global Platforms

Creativity, Commerce & Chaos: Tech & Indie Filmmaking

Art to Infrastructure: Creating a Company as an Artist

SXSW Episodic Pitch-A-Thon presented by SeriesFest

Building Hollywood Buzz Without the Hollywood Style Campaign

While generative AI dominates headlines, the true AI revolution in film and television is happening behind the scenes. From automated script breakdowns that assist with casting, budgeting, and identifying visual effects opportunities, to real-time compliance tools for flagging mature content themes, to simplified contract review for summarizing rights and talent obligations, artificial intelligence is transforming how film and television are planned, produced, and delivered. This panel unpacks how AI is streamlining production behind the scenes and raising new legal questions.

BEHIND THE SCENES: EMPOWERING PRODUCTION WITH AI TOOLS


Will Journalism Survive AI - and Does it Matter?

Madhav Chinnappa

Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford; Formerly Director of News Ecosystem Development at Google

Visiting Fellow

Madhav Chinnappa is a senior executive consultant who has worked globally at the intersection of news, technology, sustainability and most recently AI for more than two decades in both the commercial and public interest sectors.
He is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University where he is exploring the relationship between Foundation Models and news publishers in the Era of Gen AI.  He is also on the Future Insights Board of Mediahuis, the Belgian multinational news organisation.  And recently he has been advising Human Native AI, an AI data startup, as well as leading a thought leadership event series around AI and news for the Thomson Foundation.
Prior to that he was Director of News Ecosystem Development at Google and his extensive experience with journalism innovation, funding and sustainability includes launching the DNI Fund, the GNI Innovation Challenge programme and the Journalism Emergency Relief Fund while at Google.  He has worked in the news industry since 1994 - first in the launch team of Associated Press Television (APTV), a year in M&A at United News & Media and spent over 9 years at BBC News, latterly as Head of Development & Rights.

Jennie Baird

Board Chair

Jennie Baird, Chair of the Ethical Tech Project, is a digital media trailblazer. During a 30+ year career, she has driven growth and innovation for some of the media industry’s most successful digital brands and legacy-to-digital crossovers.

As Chief Product Officer at BBC Studios, she was responsible for the company’s global product strategy across an array of digital direct to consumer touchpoints and the underlying capabilities that enable them. She shepherded the vision for digital news and factual products around the globe, including rebuilding and scaling BBC.com and the BBC News international mobile app.

Previously she was Global Head of Product at News Corp. Outside of work, she is a mental health first aider, suicide bereavement support facilitator, Oompah, Loompah, and an avid gardener and forager.

Jimmy Wales

Founder

Jimmy Wales is a globally recognized futurist and visionary tech entrepreneur, celebrated for founding Wikipedia—the world’s fourth‑most‑popular website and a cornerstone of the free-access knowledge movement. A recipient of honors such as TIME’s 100 Most Influential People and recognition by the World Economic Forum as one of the top 250 leaders shaping our global future, Wales is also active in global tech discourse. In recent interviews he’s cautioned about AI overreach—calling current systems like ChatGPT “terrible at writing Wikipedia” due to hallucinations, while calling for tools to flag errors and preserve human editorial standards. He advocates for media literacy, transparency, and policies that support open collaboration over heavy-handed regulation.

Sally Lehrman

CEO

Lehrman founded and leads the Trust Project, for which she was awarded a Gold Globee as Female Achiever/Communicator of the Year and named one of MediaShift's Top 20 Digital Innovators. For ten years, the nonpartisan Trust Project® has been a trailblazer in strengthening integrity and transparency in news, enabling an informed public to engage more fully in civic life.  Lehrman guides Trust Project operations, trains news leaders to build a trustworthy press, and is a sought-after speaker. Lehrman’s award-winning journalism on medicine/science has garnered a Peabody, duPont-Columbia, John S. Knight Fellowship & recognition for diversity work, with bylines in Scientific American, Nature, Health, among others, and several public radio documentary series distributed by NPR.

Salon D

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

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

The Story of Stories—The Million Year History of Storytelling

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

Through the Noise: The State of Science Storytelling

Large language models scoop up news for training and live chatbots, but rarely pay a dime. Will they eventually put journalism out of business by self-generating “news” content or regurgitating data collected from gadgets and glasses? With trust and value in news plummeting, perhaps journalism’s role as a watchdog, forum for social exchange, and spark for civic engagement is already defunct. Or does original, ethical reporting offer something special? In this provocative session, experts in AI ethics, journalism and global trends share divergent views on the future of journalism.

WILL JOURNALISM SURVIVE AI - AND DOES IT MATTER?


The AI-Powered Bionic Revolution Has Already Begun

Dale DiMassi

Creative Marketing Manager

Dale DiMassi is a communications strategist at PSYONIC, creators of the world’s most advanced bionic hand. A congenital amputee, he uses his lived experience to advocate for accessibility and authentic representation in technology and media. Before joining PSYONIC, Dale worked in professional sports and commercial production for the NHL, NBA, MLB, and USA Hockey, and produced ad campaigns for Google, FitBit, and YouTube. He has spoken on stages at CES, SXSW, and ICRA, sharing how human-centered storytelling and inclusive innovation can change perceptions of disability and redefine what’s possible.

Dr. Aadeel Akktar, PhD

Founder & CEO

Dr. Aadeel Akhtar is the founder and CEO of PSYONIC, a company creating advanced and accessible bionic limbs. After meeting a young girl missing a limb in Pakistan at age 7, he was driven to design prosthetics that are both cutting-edge and affordable. PSYONIC’s Ability Hand is the fastest on the market, impact-resistant, and the first to provide a sense of touch, now used by humans and robotics platforms including NASA, Meta, and Google. Dr. Akhtar holds a PhD in Neuroscience and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He’s been recognized by MIT Technology Review, Newsweek, and landed a 3-shark deal on Shark Tank.

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

As AI, robotics, and economies of scale converge, a new era of human enhancement is emerging. In this session, bionic limb pioneer Aadeel Akhtar reveals how shared breakthroughs between robots and humans are transforming assistive tech into accessible, intelligent extensions of the body. From real-time adaptive control to mass-producible bionic hands, this is a glimpse into a future where disability is no longer a limitation and AI is rewriting what the human body can do.

AI-POWERED BIONIC REVOLUTION HAS ALREADY BEGUN


AI, Your Brain & the Battle for Cognitive Sovereignty

Nataliya Kosmyna

Research Scientist

Dr. Nataliya Kosmyna is a research scientist at MIT Media Lab’s Fluid Interfaces group and Visiting Research Faculty at Google. With 15+ years of experience in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), her work blends AI, neuroscience, and human-computer interaction. She’s designed EEG-based systems used in classrooms, hospitals, aerospace—even the Moon. A 2016 L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science awardee and MIT Innovator Under 35, she helps shape global neuroethics policy through roles with UNESCO and UNICEF.

Vanessa Mathias

Co founder

Vanessa Mathias is a speculative futurist, strategist, and co-founder of White Rabbit, a futures research and experience design studio based in Brazil. She’s the author of Radical Reimagination and a frequent speaker at SXSW, TEDx, and international festivals. Her work explores how imagination, discernment, and decision-making are being reshaped by technology — and how to protect cognitive sovereignty in a world driven by automation. She’s known for creating immersive, participatory sessions that challenge and activate.

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

AI tools rewrite emails, generate ideas, even decide what we see and when. But will they make us lazier thinkers—or force us to think beyond? Will it make us think more clearly or manipulate our perspectives? Will it widen the cognitive gap between rich and poor? Are our neuro-rights protected by design—or will screen time just be optimized again? In this live debate, you’ll pick a side: is AI expanding or eroding our minds? Expect sharp provocations, real-time participation, and one rule: you can’t outsource your thinking here. Join the battle for cognitive sovereignty.

AI, YOUR BRAIN & THE BATTLE FOR COGNITIVE SOVEREIGNTY


Designing Great Public Spaces to Power Economic Opportunity

Kira Strong

Senior Director

Kira Strong is the Senior Program Director of the High Line Network. The Network’s mission is to support a community of infrastructure reuse projects across North America in creating vibrant and inclusive public spaces. Previously she served as the Executive Director for the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild Initiative, a historic investment of over $500 million to improve parks, recreation centers, and libraries across the City, and as the Vice President of Community and Economic Development for the People’s Emergency Center, a non-profit community development corporation in Philadelphia.  She has been honored with the City & State PA 2024 Above & Beyond award, and as a 40 Under 40 by The Philadelphia Business Journal.

Scott Kratz

11th Street Bridge Park, Building Bridges Across the River

Executive Vice President & 11th Street Bridge Park Founder

Scott Kratz is the President and CEO of Building Bridges Across the River, a Ward 8 based non-profit with five signature projects designed to provide equitable access to health, arts and economic opportunity. These projects include: the Town Hall Education Arts and Recreation Campus (THEARC); Building Bridges Farms; Skyland Workforce Center; THEARC Theater; and the 11th Street Bridge Park. These programs strive to reduce economic and social barriers to build a more prosperous and just East of the River community.

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

Featuring the urban visionaries behind NYC's High Line and DC's 11th Street Bridge Park, this session will explore how we can transform America's abandoned spaces – from old rail lines to vacant bridges – into community-built urban oases. Drawing insights from their new book, "Inspiration from the Field," Scott and Kira will inspire park advocates, urban planners, and city-lovers alike to reimagine America’s post-industrial infrastructure as public assets that can connect rather than divide, while unlocking new economic opportunities and scalable investment into neighboring communities.

DESIGNING GREAT PUBLIC SPACES TO POWER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY


Zig Zag: Having a Weird Career

Christine Devane

Founder & CEO

Christine Devane graduated from Dartmouth College with an English major and no earthly idea how to manage money or live in the real world. The steps in her meandering career journey afforded her the opportunity to learn marketing, product management, and Agile software development methodologies. She started a pie bakery, drafted a comprehensive business plan for a $100M opportunity in consumer electronics, and co-founded the Chicago Women’s Baseball League.  Realizing her true calling was in entrepreneurship, she went back to school for a master's degree in product development and turned her final capstone project into a startup. She's now full time on Club Money, a consumer fintech company that aims to democratize financial advice for the young middle class.

Amanda Krantz

VP Business Development & Strategy

Background as an Air Force Electrical Engineering Acquisitions Officer along with 25+ years negotiating complex Business Development deals with Fortune 500 technology companies and healthcare organizations. She helps us succeed in creative deal structures to fund dual-use development with Air Force and Private Industry partners.

Room 410

Technology Convergence: Winning the Exponential Upswing

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

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

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

What happens when your career makes zero sense on paper—but gets you exactly where you need to be? Two women share their very non-linear journeys: from the Air Force to Harvard to a gratitude startup, and from baking pies to founding a startup. In a world obsessed with “coherent” resumes, this conversation explores how detours, pivots, and reinventions are not just valid—but powerful. Expect laughs, real talk, and permission to break the rules.


Seeing Is Believing: The Vision Behind Humanoid & Robotic AI

MJ Burk Chun

VP Product & Co-Founder

MJ Burk Chun is VP of Product & Design and Co-Founder at Serve Robotics, where she leads the product strategy behind autonomous, sidewalk delivery robots that help expand local commerce while reducing city traffic and emissions. Previously, she served as Director of Product Management at Postmates X, helping develop socially-aware delivery robotics, and held product leadership roles at Anki and BigCommerce. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade at Electronic Arts leading product and live services for The Sims franchise. MJ brings more than 17 years of experience building and scaling consumer-facing products, marketplaces, and connected devices, with a focus on product-market fit and high-performing product teams.

Jan Liphardt

CEO

Jan is the founder and CEO of OpenMind, a tech company in San Francisco that is building "Android for humanoids”. Just like we all add new skills to our phones through Apps, humanoids will need a modular brain that allows specific skills to be added and improved, for maximum utility in homes, hospitals, schools, and workplaces.

Jan is an associate professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University. He started life as a physics professor at UC Berkeley, where he studied soft condensed matter physics and built hardware for trapping single molecules with light. He then became interested in data and computing on sensitive data. At Stanford, he tackles problems in healthcare and especially digital health. Since 2025, he has been helping to build an open source software stack for advanced human focused humanoids.

Chris Mattieu

VP Developer Ecosystem

Chris Matthieu is Vice President of Developer Ecosystem at RealSense, leading engagement with developers, startups, and enterprises to unlock new applications for depth and vision AI. A serial entrepreneur and technologist, he has founded and exited five startups across AI robotics, IoT, and immersive computing. Formerly an Entrepreneur in Residence at Intel, Chris blends technical depth with creative vision, helping teams imagine—and build—the future of intelligent machines.

Caitlin Allen

SVP Of Market

Caitlin Allen is Senior Vice President of Market at Simbe Robotics, where she leads brand, communications, and commercial strategy for the company’s Store Intelligence™ platform. With two decades of experience scaling technology firms from startup to $200 M ARR, she has guided three successful exits, including Lyft’s IPO and Happy Returns’ acquisition by PayPal. A former Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and co-founder of OPEN Imperative, Caitlin is a frequent speaker and podcast guest exploring how robotics, automation, and AI reshape the retail experience and human-technology interaction.

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

Humanoids and robots are moving from science fiction to reality, and vision is key to that evolution. Just as our visual cortex allows humans to perceive and adapt, machine vision gives robots the ability to understand, navigate, and interact with the world around them. This session explores how advances in depth sensing, AI compute, and cloud-scale learning are giving humanoids and robots sight, safety, and awareness to operate naturally among us—and what that means for the future of human-robot interaction.

SEEING IS BELIEVING: THE VISION BEHIND HUMANOID & ROBOTIC AI


How AI Enables a Radical Shift in Understanding Your Health

Vindell Washington, MD, MS

Chief Clinical Officer & Head of Health Equity

Dr. Vindell Washington is Chief Clinical Officer and Head of Health Equity at Verily, where he leads clinical strategy and equity-focused innovation across research and care products. A former National Coordinator for Health IT, he brings deep policy expertise in data interoperability and digital infrastructure. He also served as Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, advancing data-driven approaches to improve population health. Dr. Washington’s experience spans government, payer, and tech—and as an African American physician-leader, he brings an essential voice to conversations on equitable, personalized healthcare powered by AI.

John Gerzema

CEO

A pollster, social scientist, and New York Times best-selling author and a TED speaker, John’s New York Time’s best-selling book, The Athena Doctrine: How Women (And the Men Who Think Like Them) Will Rule the Future predicted the rise of feminine values in leadership. John is a Distinguished Fellow at The Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard and serves on boards of the U.N Girl Up Campaign, University of The People and The National Kidney Foundation. John was named to Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism Hall of Achievement in 2014.

Arundhati Parmar

Editor-in-Choef

Arundhati Parmar (aparmar@medcitynews.com) is vice president and editor-in-chief of MedCity News. In this role, she is in charge of editorial content appearing on MedCityNews.com and the live programming at MedCity’s conferences. She is also the host of the MedCity Pivot Podcast and co-host of the YouTube show — Debunked, which adds a bit of personality and pizzazz to the analysis of healthcare news. Arundhati enjoys moderating conference panels as well as reporting and writing on a variety of healthcare topics. She welcomes any tips from MedCity News readers.

Topaz Ballroom 1-3

AI Safety & Trust: Building Responsible Media Tech

AI in Entertainment: Navigating IP, Ethics & Opportunity

Is Brand Dead? The Brand Leader’s Playbook for the AI Era

Capturing Chaos: A Q&A with the DP & CLT of The Pitt

The De-brief: Rethinking the Brand–Creator Relationship

What would healthcare look like if we could connect the dots? Care today is still episodic and fragmented, without capturing the bigger picture of your health. This conversation brings together clinician and health tech perspectives to explore how interoperability and connecting disparate data, from wearables to health records, holds the promise to unlock personalized preventative health. We’ll discuss how AI-powered tools are closing data and access gaps, while ensuring data safety and privacy, enabling us to turn fragmented health information into whole person care that never clocks out.

HOW AI ENABLES A RADICAL SHIFT IN UNDERSTANDING YOUR HEALTH


Harnessing AI Without Losing Our Minds: A Playbook

Jacqueline Corbelli

Founder & CEO

Jacqueline “Jacquie” Corbelli is a transformational leader, entrepreneur, and changemaker whose work spans advertising, AI and technology, sustainability, finance, and global development. A three-time author, her upcoming book Changemaker: A Modern Playbook for Creating Personal Impact and Transformational Change (2025) distills decades of experience into a practical framework for driving meaningful change in personal, professional, and societal arenas.

As one of the first female founders in the advertising technology sector, Jacquie revolutionized interactive television through BrightLine, shaping how global brands engage audiences. She has also led world-scale initiatives in sustainability and development, including chairing Columbia University’s Millennium Villages Project, founding the U.S. Coalition on Sustainability’s platform SustainChain®, and advising both the United Nations and the Vatican on technology and justice.

Honored with awards such as Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas and New York Business Journal’s Women of Influence, Jacquie continues to mentor future leaders, serve on global boards, and advocate for bold, systemic solutions to today’s greatest challenges. She lives in New York City with her husband, her dog, and loves time with her three daughters and her garden.

Onyx Ballroom 1-4

AI and Inclusive Storytelling: Tech's Effect on Representation

The Present and Future of Live Experiences

Shifting From Beauty to Belonging—the Next Cultural Movement

As AI reshapes everything, how do you pivot your life, career, or company before you’re left behind? Join Jacqueline Corbelli—3x founder and investor, UN and Vatican advisor, and author of Changemaker—for a practical session on navigating inflection points. Drawing on decades of experience transforming companies, Corbelli shares proven solutions to empower individuals and companies, offering a modern framework for using AI, adopting the right mindset, and evolving in a world where five-year plans no longer apply. Are we too early, too late—or right on time?

HARNESSING AI WITHOUT LOSING OUR MINDS: A PLAYBOOK


Nan Feix

Nan Feix is a filmmaker weaving stories of education, heritage, and family through subcultures like skateboarding, food, motorbikes, and dance—crafting films, docs, and art projects that blend social impact with bold, cinematic exploration.

Alamo Lamar 8

Dead Deer High

Education
Social Issues
The Arts/Theater
Youth/Teen

After falling in love with Vietnamese cuisine during a life-changing trip abroad, Jerald—a self-taught chef from small-town Texas—arrives in New York City with one goal: to open his own restaurant. Juggling odd jobs and secretly perfecting recipes in a basement kitchen, he’s running out of time and money. When he meets Nhung, a sharp-witted Vietnamese waitress, their unlikely alliance sparks a bold culinary journey. From improvised street hustles to a hidden speakeasy, they fight to turn Jerald’s dream into reality. A story of passion, resilience, and unexpected friendship in the heart of the city.

Mam

English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese with English Subtitles

A self-taught chef from Texas arrives in New York to open a Vietnamese restaurant. Broke but relentless, he teams up with a witty waitress, and together they cook up an unlikely journey of passion, resilience, and friendship in the city’s underbelly.

Marine Garnier
Gregory Panteix
Nan Feix
Grégoire Musso
Jerald Head
Nhung Dao Head

Jerald Head, Nhung Dao Head, Tuan Bui, Henry Wong, Linh Phan, Lang A Nguyen, Maxence Victor, Kim Hoang, Naoto Ono, An Nguyen Xuan

Producer: Marine Garnier, 1st Camera Assistant: Lily Mars, Sound Engineer: Ada Zang, Sound Engineer: Weixin Zuhang, Production Coordinator: Sam Hewison, Casting & Location Scouting: An Nguyen Xuan, Colorist: Mathieu Caplanne, Music Supervisor: Grégoire Musso


Stella Marie Markert

Berlin-born Stella Marie Markert studied production at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. Her first produced short film, "Hot Dog," screened at major festivals like Sundance. She turned to directing in 2022 at Filmuniversität Babelsberg. "Thanks For Nothing" is her debut feature.

Alamo Lamar 2

Ugly Cry

Health/Disability/Illness
The Arts/Theater
Women

Your Attention Please

Health/Disability/Illness
Politics
Technology
Social Issue

Katharina, Ricky, Malou, and Victoria live in a self-made anarchist group home - no parents, no school, no rules. Under the loose watch of social worker Ballack, things are going pretty well. But Katharina doesn’t want to live past 18, and her birthday is two weeks away. Her friends scramble to hide her suicide attempts, afraid the truth will destroy the only “home” they’ve ever had. In this darkly comedic tale of rebellion, abandonment, and surviving the absurd, "Thanks For Nothing" is the kids' collective FU to the adults who’ve abandoned or failed them.

Thanks for Nothing

Ok, what would you do if your best friend tries to kill herself, another one is being deported, the third is in a manic episode, the fourth has stopped speaking, and your social worker is unsuccessfully trying to cover it all up from child services?

Lea Drinda, Sonja Weißer, Safinaz Sattar, Zoe Stein, Jan Bülow


Will Ropp

Will Ropp is a writer, director and actor.
He is making his directorial feature debut with the comedy "Brian", starring Ben Wang, William H. Macy, Randall Park, and Natalie Morales. The film is executive produced by Seth Meyers and will receive its world premiere at SXSW.

Before stepping behind the camera, Ropp built a career in front of it as an actor. His film credits include Gavin O’Connor’s critically acclaimed "The Way Back", Megan Park’s directorial debut "The Fallout", Peter Farrelly’s "The Greatest Beer Run Ever", as well as what Ropp considers his finest work: a two-second appearance in "Joker: Folie Ádeux" as 'Joker Fan #1.' On television, he has appeared in “Adults,” “Fatal Attraction,” “Dave,” “The Sex Lives of College Girls”, and “Love, Victor.”

Alamo Lamar 9

Time and Water

Archival Materials Courtesy of Andri Snær Magnason

It sucks to be Brian. He’s smart, funny, and capable, but his mental health issues make it hard for anyone to see it - especially when compared to his effortlessly cool older brother. At school, Brian harbors an unrequited crush on Brooke: she’s smart, kind, pretty… and very much his teacher. A disastrous drama club audition leads to yet another one of Brian’s trademark public meltdowns. Thus begins Brian’s search for his new “thing”. On paper he’s chosen the worst possible fit: running for class president. With help from his therapist and the new kid, Justin, Brian launches his high-stakes campaign and sparks a messy, exquisitely awkward journey toward self-acceptance.

Brian

An acerbic high school student prone to panic attacks runs for class president to get closer to the teacher he’s hopelessly in love with.

Danielle Lauder
Mike Scollins
Seth Meyers
Jason Carden
Michael Shoemaker
Talia Bella
Randy Wayne

Ben Wang, William H. Macy, Edi Patterson, Randall Park, Natalie Morales, Joshua Colley, Sophia Macy, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Thomas Barbusca, Jacob Moskovitz


Kevin Hamedani

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

State Theatre

The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist

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

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

The Saviors

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

Marissa Frobes, Inder Gill, Alex Brunner, Dante Desario

Danielle Deadwyler
Alyssa Roehrenbeck
Josh Sathre

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

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