Alex Prager

Alex Prager is a director, screenwriter and artist based in Los Angeles. Prager won an Emmy in 2012 for her short film series, “Touch of Evil” (2011) commissioned by the New York Times. She has made over 10 short films that include “Despair” (2010) with Bryce Dallas Howard, “Face In The Crowd” (2013) with Elizabeth Banks, “Play the Wind” (2019) with Riley Keough and “Uncanny Valley” (2018) with Cate Blanchett. Her short film “Despair” was included in the “New Photography 2010” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Her most recent short film, “Run” with Katherine Waterston (2022), premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and was nominated for the 2023 SXSW Grand Jury Award. In 2023, Prager was named one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine.

Prager began her career as an artist and is known for large-scale photographic works that distort the boundaries between reality and artifice, often centered around the human condition. She has been featured in countless galleries and museum exhibitions globally over two decades and her work is held in many international public and private collections.

She has defined her signature style through photography, short films and now narrative features. DreamQuil, co-written with her sister Vanessa Prager, is her directorial debut.

Part director, part screenwriter, part artist, part time-traveler from a sunnier, stranger version of Los Angeles.

Set in the not so distant future when poor air quality leads to people living mostly virtually lives. Carol is a dissatisfied career mother, struggling to find connection within her marriage to Gary and her child. With the day to day familiarity of their home and lives feeling increasingly claustrophobic, and worried she could be heading towards divorce, Carol leaps at the chance to get her life back on track by signing up for "DreamQuil", an avant-garde digital wellness retreat. When Carol returns home however, she discovers her family has been living with "Carol 2", a robot the corporation sent designed to help in her absence, and things take a mysterious and sinister turn.

Dreamquil

Set in the near future, a woman returning from a virtual retreat discovers her worst nightmare when the helper robot sent to assist her family in her absence starts to infringe on her life and identity.

International  - Gabrielle Stewart; U.S./Canada - Katie Tisherman

International - HanWay Films; U.S./Canada - Republic Films

International - gs@hanwayfilms.com; U.S./Canada - katie.tisherman@cbs.com

Marc Marrie
Matt Aselton
Mal Ward
Scott Putman
Natalie Perrota

Elizabeth Banks
Max Handelman
Alison Small
Vincent Landay
Michael Mendelsohn
Alex Prager

Elizabeth Banks, John C. Reilly, Juliette Lewis, Sofia Boutella, Kathryn Newton, Lamorne Morris, Toby Larsen, Anna Marie Dobbins

Visual Effects Supervisor: Chad Peter, Makeup Department Head: Tina Roesler Kerwin, Hair Department Head: Anne Morgan, Costume Designer: Callan Stokes, Music Supervisor: Linda Cohen, Miniatures By: Chris Warren, Gene Warren, Casting By: Kim Davis-Wagner & Justine Arteta, Associate Producer: Lisa Ziven


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

MIT Open Documentary Lab’s AR and Public Space Artist Collective

The MIT OpenDocLab’s AR and Public Space Artist Collective is engaging in an ongoing inquiry using artistic research methodologies to explore how digital augmentation can reshape our understanding of place and build bridges between people and communities.

Congressional Ballroom

SXSW Expo: XR Experience

XR Experience 2025 - Photo by Aaron Rogosin

#layersofplace #MIT #OpenDocLab #AR #XR #augmentedreality #documentary #immersive #nonfiction #PublicSpace #Oryza #HumbleMonuments #PaperBoat #FoundersPillars #MovingMemory

Through a co-creative process with the community, Austin transforms into a platform for multidimensional, pluralistic inquiry, delving into themes such as racial justice, historical memory, memorialization, environmental stewardship, and the impact of technology on civic life. The importance of plurality is central, presenting six perspectives on different concepts and viewpoints. In a world that is increasingly polarized and lacking in nuanced perspectives, Layers of Place emphasizes the collective experience. By expanding “public space” to include both the tangible environment and the virtual layers accessible through AR, we create a new form of communal experience.

Layers of Place: Austin

Layers of Place encourages exploration of often unseen dimensions of Austin’s public spaces—changing our relationship to place and each other through a co-created collection of six location-based AR experiences.

Sarah Wolozin
MIT Open Documentary Lab
Agog: The Immersive Media Institute

Akmyrat Tuyliyev (MIT OpenDocLab Producer)


Lori Landay

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

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

Moving Memory

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

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


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

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

https://www.jonnypops.com/

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

JonnyPops

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


SXSW Expo: XR Experience

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


The Verdadero 360 Tequila Experience

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

Verdadero Tequila

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


Congress Avenue Block Party

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

TooFar Media

World Premiere of Xiphactinus – An Immersive Storyworld Experience!

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

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

Plus, download the FREE TooFar Media app!


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

MY/MOCHI JOYFULLY CHILL ICE CREAM SHOPPE

My/Mochi

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

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


The Painterland Sisters' Yogurt Farm Stand

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

Painterland Sisters

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

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


Lana Daher

Lana Daher is a filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist based in Beirut, Lebanon. With a background in fine arts and graphic design (BFA, American University of Beirut) as well as filmmaking (MA, Goldsmiths, University of London), she has long been active in Beirut’s vibrant art and music scenes.

Alamo Lamar 2

Ugly Cry

Health/Disability/Illness
The Arts/Theater
Women

Your Attention Please

Health/Disability/Illness
Politics
Technology
Social Issue

"Do You Love Me" is a playful and personal journey through Lebanon’s audiovisual memory, composed entirely of archival footage. It is a love letter to Beirut, spanning 70 years of film, TV, home videos, and photography, exploring the Lebanese collective psyche - marked by joy and intimacy, destruction and loss. Through the eyes of citizens, filmmakers and artists, the film reconstructs a fragmented history in a country without a national archive, celebrating creative expression as both resistance, renewal and a way to preserve memory.

Do You Love Me

English, Arabic, French with English Subtitles

Welcome to Beirut.
Disorientation is part of the journey.

@doyouloveme.film ; @lanadaher.film ; @filmsdeforcemajeure ; @woodwaterfilms ; @lightdox

Co-producer: Jasper Mielke, Co-producer: Arto Sebasian, Co-producer: Karoline Henkel


Business/Entrepreneurial
Environment
Social Issue

JJ Gerber

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

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

The Life We Leave

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

Clementine Briand
Ann Rogers
Melanie Miller
JJ Gerber

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


SXSW Community Service Awards Recognition: DAWA

Chaka Mahone

Founder/Director

Salon 1-4

Featured Session: Multiplayer Futures: Co-Creating a Vision of SXSW 2030 (live!)

Featured Session: A Conversation with The All-American Rejects

Featured Session: Enough with the Bullsh*T: BuzzFeed Founder Shares His Plan to Make the Internet Fun Again

Featured Session: Why Work Feels So Unfair and How Hard Conversations Help

Featured Session: The Internet After Search

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

Jonathan 'Chaka' Mahone is a visionary storyteller who believes in the power of art, and the importance of the artist as a community catalyst for social and cultural change, economic development, healing, planning, and collective conversation.   As a performing artist and musician, he has traveled the world as one-half of the award-winning hip hop duo, Riders Against the Storm (RAS). As a civic leader, Mahone became the first African-American Chair of Austin's Music Commission in 2021.  After more than a decade pushing through barriers constructed by the historic race and genre biases of Austin's music industry, he founded DAWA (a Swahili, Hindi, and Arabic word for medicine), in 2019 to provide a safety net for People of Color that are experiencing short term life crisis. More specifically, people of color who are givers: musicians, artists, social workers, teachers, healing practitioners, and service industry workers.  Through its mission of giving to the givers, and its vision of centering community and culture to drive social impact, DAWA (Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action) has directly invested over a half million dollars in this group over the last 6 years.

SXSW COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS RECOGNITION: DAWA


Health/Disability/Illness
Politics
Social Issues

Patricia E. Gillespie

Patricia E. Gillespie is the daughter of a cable splicer and a seamstress. As a filmmaker, she is preoccupied with character-driven explorations of underdogs and outsiders. With her narrative-leaning sensibilities, Gillespie has a proven track record of engaging broad audiences around stories that matter, particularly those relating to social class, public health, and the justice system.

Her directorial work includes "The Secrets We Bury" and "They Called Him Mostly Harmless," both of which hit #1 on HBO Max, and "The Fire That Took Her," which won the 2023 News & Documentary Emmy for Outstanding Crime and Justice Documentary. She also created, directed, and executive produced Viceland’s highly rated first foray into serialized true crime, "The Devil You Know."

In addition to directing, Patricia also produces. Her credits include the Emmy-nominated, Oscar-shortlisted Sundance hit "Unrest"; Peabody-nominated "Whose Streets?"; and Oscar-nominated Robert Stone’s "Taken Hostage."

She is a proud resident of NYC’s best borough, Queens, where she lives with her dog, Hank, and her husband, Alvaro.

Alamo Lamar 3

I Got Bombed at Harvey's

Biography
Crime
Documentary
Drama
Thriller

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

#Skyking tells the story of 28-year-old Horizon Air ground service agent Richard “Beebo” Russell, who, to the shock of all who knew him, clocked into work wearing a shirt that said “the sky's no limit,” stole a 33-million-dollar plane, and took off into the skies of the Pacific Northwest—embarking on a white-knuckle flight that would come to embody the hopes, dreams, and despair of the American working class, and offer a timely look into the U.S. mental health crisis.

#Skyking

#Skyking tells the story of Richard “Beebo” Russell, a ground service agent who stole an airplane belonging to his employer, and took off on a flight that would come to embody the hopes, dreams, and despair of the American working class.

Christopher G. Cowen
Patricia E. Gillespie

Victor Tadashi Suarez
Nathanial Harper
Jeremy Benning

Co Producer: Linsey Romero, Executive In Charge: Michael Bernstein


Megan Rico

Megan Rico is a writer, director, and illustrator from the tropical swamp of Miami, Florida. She ran away to New York City the minute she graduated and has spent the last ten years writing and directing television for anyone who will let her, including Impractical Jokers, Above Average, and the sketch comedy show Studio C, among others.

Kade Atwood

Kade Atwood began his career directing beauty commercials before making the OBVIOUS transition into comedy. It was at the sketch comedy tv show, Studio C, that he found his funny bone.  Kade obsesses over finding the perfect frame for the joke. His work has been shortlisted at the Cannes Young Director Awards and won a Shiny Award.

Timid Catholic school dork Edie Arnold is dragged to a punk show where a mishap lands her on stage behind the drums. She's mortified... but a natural. Convinced by her best friend, she secretly forms a band called The NunDead. Her newfound confidence leads to a date with the altar boy but also a fight that gets her suspended. Thinking she bailed on their first gig, her bandmates bust her out of the house just in time to win a Battle of the Bands. But when she faces expulsion and her mother's wrath at a disciplinary hearing, footage of her kick-ass performance has an unexpected effect on her mom.

Edie Arnold is a Loser

Timid dork Edie accidentally makes waves when she starts a punk band with her fellow “turds," becoming an icon to the rest of the losers at her Catholic school while pissing off the hot girls, the nuns, and the horniest altar boy you’ve ever seen.

Paul & Janis Atwood
Marissa Hastings
Travis Hawkes
Jeremy Prusso
Loany Rico
Jason & Krissy Swallow
Jake Van Wagoner
Michael Scott Tuckett
Luke Michael Tuckett
Anne Noel Tuckett

Adi Madden Cabrera, McKenna Tuckett, Cherish Rodriguez, Niki Rahimi, Alexa Paige, Luseane Pasa, Star Herrmann, Alana Mei Kern, Gabe Root, Lucas Van Orden

Costume Designer: Amelia Kuhlmann, 1st Assistant Director: Kili Maile, Colorist: Keyhan Bayegan


Joey Power

Joey co-wrote and co-directed "After Everything" starring Jeremy Allen White and Maika Monroe, which premiered at SXSW. The Hollywood Reporter called it an "auspicious feature debut for its writer-directors." He then co-wrote and produced "Banana Split", which played at TIFF.

State Theatre

The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist

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

Following a failed engagement, Louisa "Lou" Klaussner, an aspiring author who pays the bills by writing social media copy for a tortilla chip company, falls into a side hustle writing wedding vows for other people. When Lou reconnects with her college best-friend and long-time crush Warren, she is shocked to find he is the fiancé of one of Lou's wedding vow clients… putting Lou in the middle of a complicated love-rectangle.

Love Language

An aspiring author with a side hustle writing wedding vows for other people reconnects with her long-time crush, only to learn he is the fiancé of one of her new clients.

Michael Sagol
Joey Power
Tyson Bidner
Corentin De Saedeleer

Bert Hamelinck
Allison Hironaka
Ari Lubet
Colin Jost
Jeff Grosvenor

Chloë Grace Moretz, Anthony Ramos, Manny Jacinto, Isabel May, Lukas Gage, Billie Lourd, Chloe Fineman, Zach Zucker, Morgan Jay, Bobbi Althoff, Marchánt Davis, Dan Perrault


Brian McElhaney

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

Alamo Lamar 4

My NDA

African American
Legal
LGBTQ
Politics
Social Issues
Women
Social Issue

Cookie Queens

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

Courtesy of Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films

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

Pizza Movie

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

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

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

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


African American
Health/Disability/Illness
Politics

Deon Taylor

Director Deon Taylor has built a reputation for fearless storytelling across genres. From the intense thriller Traffik to the suspenseful The Intruder and the socially charged Black and Blue, Taylor consistently delivers films that entertain, provoke thought, and drive strong audience engagement.

Alamo Lamar 8

Dead Deer High

Education
Social Issues
The Arts/Theater
Youth/Teen

Isaac “Drift” Wright, a self-taught photographer and Army veteran haunted by trauma, finds healing through breathtaking, illegal climbs of the world’s tallest structures. But his pursuit of art sparks a high-stakes battle with law enforcement in this intimate portrait of risk, resilience, and freedom in modern America.

Drift

Isaac Wright
Andrew Bourke
Ian Orefice
Amanda Spain
Jon Adler
George Wrighster III
Omar Joseph

Roxanne Avent Taylor
Deon Taylor
Inbal B. Lessner
Kaitlin McLaughlin

Kaitlin McLaughlin
Martin Biehn
Kevin Hibbard


Featured Session: Make Your Own Wave: Russ & Andreea Gleeson on Independence

Andreea Gleeson

Strategic Advisor; Former CEO, TuneCore

Andreea Gleeson is the former Chief Executive Officer of TuneCore, Strategic Advisory to Believe, and a leading innovator in the music industry. After years as an eCommerce pioneer, she joined TuneCore in 2015 as a member of the senior leadership team, rose to CEO in 2021, and has helped build TuneCore into one of the most dynamic and innovative companies in the music industry. Her support of independent artists has driven the implementation of leading-edge product & technology solutions and artist development programs, establishing TuneCore as the premier development platform for self-releasing artists. Since 2021, Andreea has been included in multiple Billboard Power Lists and, under her guidance as CEO, TuneCore was included in Fast Company’s list of the Most Innovative Companies in the music industry from 2023-2025.

Russ

Artist/Author/Co-Founder

Multi-platinum artist, producer, and author Russ has amassed over 24 billion streams and over 35 million singles sold to date. He has released multiple Billboard charting albums, with 2017’s There’s Really A Wolf spending 84 weeks on the Billboard 200 and going certified 2x platinum with singles “What They Want” and “Losin Control.” In 2019, he was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and released “IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD,” a best-selling inspirational book reminding us that success starts with you and belief in yourself. He recently became a New York Times best-selling author with the release of his second book “it was you all along.” In 2024, Russ featured in M. Night Shyamalan’s TRAP and will star in Maclain Nelson’s upcoming Don’t Move, written by James “Murr” Murray and Darren Wearmouth.

Chart topping artist/actor/author Russ sits down with TuneCore Chief Executive Officer Andreea Gleeson to discuss his path to success as an independent artist and the nontraditional fan engagement, release strategies, and alternative revenue streams that have paved the way for global stardom. From the foundation of his label DIEMON to his stint on the Columbia roster, his triumphant return to independence and the success of his latest Billboard chart topping album W!LD, Russ has built a career as a modern renaissance man on his own terms and serves as an inspiration for other aspiring artists.

FEATURED SESSION: MAKE YOUR OWN WAVE: RUSS & ANDREEA GLEESON ON INDEPENDENCE


Restorative by Design: Reimagining Wellbeing for Our Cities

Dustin Yellin

Founder & Director

Dustin Yellin is a Brooklyn-based contemporary artist and Founder & Director of Pioneer Works, a cultural institution in Brooklyn that fosters cross-disciplinary dialogue through art, science, and education. Known for his richly layered storytelling that explores the intricate relationship between nature, technology, and the human condition, Yellin’s art has been exhibited in major institutions worldwide, including the Brooklyn Museum, NY, US; Leeum Museum, Seoul, South Korea; Amorepacific Museum of Art, Seoul, South Korea; Museo Del Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City, Mexico; SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah, GA, US; The Kennedy Center, Washington D.C., US; and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York, NY, US. He holds an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from SCAD.

Robert Hammond

President and Chief Strategy Officer

Robert is the President & Chief Strategy Officer for Therme Group US. Before joining Therme Group US, Robert co-founded and served as the Executive Director of the High Line for over two decades. In collaboration with Joshua David, he led the transformation of an abandoned elevated railway line in Manhattan into an iconic urban park, now celebrated worldwide.

Under his leadership, the High Line grew to become one of the most beloved public spaces in the United States, attracting eight million annual visitors with its innovative design, public art program, and community programming. He has won over two dozen national and international awards for his work.

Robert has served as a consultant or advisor for myriad companies and organizations, including the Times Square Alliance, Alliance for the Arts, and the National Cooperative Bank.  He served as an ex-officio member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Board of Trustees, as well as Liberty Expedia, a formerly publicly traded travel company.  He currently serves on the boards for Little Island, Sauna Aid, The Light Inside, Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, Grounded Solutions Network, and the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Sara Zewde

Founding Principal

Sara Zewde is the founding principal of Studio Zewde, a design firm practicing landscape architecture, urbanism, and public art. Named to Time Magazine’s TIME 100 Next, Architectural Digest's AD100, and a United States Artists Fellow, her practice is celebrated for its design methods that sync culture, ecology, and craft. In parallel to design practice, Sara serves as Associate Professor of Practice at Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Sara holds a master’s of landscape architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, a master’s of city planning from MIT, and a BA in sociology and statistics from Boston University.

Robbie Bent

Ceo & Co-Founder

Robbie Bent is the CEO and co-founder of Othership, the first immersive sauna and ice bath spaces in North America, focused on emotional wellness classes and healthy social experiences. Othership has also built the highest-rated breathwork app in the world. Prior to Othership, Robbie was an early employee at the Ethereum Foundation.

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

What if true well-being comes not from self-optimization but from collective care? This session explores how we can design public spaces for rest, connection, and restoration. Industry experts share why parks, bathhouses, and shared spaces matter more than ever. From global traditions and new urban experiments, they make the case for new public institutions reviving communal well-being outside of commodified services or tech-driven wellness.

RESTORATIVE BY DESIGN: REIMAGINING WELLBEING FOR OUR CITIES


Momentum is Everything: How to Build Hype Before the Drop

Shelby Rosenthal

Director, Digital Marketing

Shelby Rosenthal is a Director of Digital Marketing at AWAL, where she leads global campaigns that grow audiences, creates and mobilizes superfans, and builds lasting artist communities. She's been thanked in Mariah Carey’s Caution liner notes, facilitated Ozzy Osbourne’s first and only Reddit AMA, and now works to craft innovative digital strategies for artists including The Beaches, Finn Wolfhard, CMAT, mxmtoon, and Wasia Project. She specializes in digitally focused audience growth strategies -- collaborating with platform partners to deliver impactful, data-driven campaigns that connect artists with fans worldwide and crafting immersive fan experiences that bring artists’ visions to life.

Sam Alpert

SVP, Marketing

Sam Alpert is Global Head of Marketing at Wasserman Music. He and his team have led tour marketing for Jack Harlow, Tyler Childers, The Postal Service, Bobby Weir, Fred again.., ODESZA, Disclosure, ZEDD, $UICIDEBOY$, Kaytranada, Fleet Foxes, Beach House, and others. In 2022 he launched Wasserman Music’s Artist Marketing department covering tour marketing, pricing and ticketing, and livestreaming. In 2024 he launched the UK Tour Marketing team. Sam joined Wasserman in 2021 after building Paradigm Talent Agency’s tour marketing group starting in 2014. Earlier he was Head of Marketing at Ultra Records and SVP of Marketing at The Eleven Seven Music Group and Tenth Street Entertainment, leading campaigns for Mötley Crüe, Blondie, Eve, and JET.

Alec Ellin

CEO

Alec Ellin is the cofounder and CEO of Laylo, the CRM and drop platform used by teams behind Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Laufey, John Summit, Outside Lands, CRSSD Fest, Nate Bargatze, and Matt Rife. Since 2021, Laylo has helped the biggest names in entertainment amplify their announcements through drops, driving 200M+ fan actions and over $1B in sales across tickets, merch, and content. Alec leads partnerships with Universal Music Group, Sony Music, TikTok, and DICE, and has raised $8M for Laylo to date from investors like Y Combinator, Eldridge, and the founders of C3 Presents.

Capitol Ballroom ABCD

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

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

Who Gets Credit When Anyone Can Train a Music AI?

Darkchild On the Record: Music, Legacy, and Change

The teams behind John Summit, FKA Twigs, and The Beaches know every drop needs momentum to land. In this panel, Laylo CEO Alec Ellin sits down with Wasserman Music SVP of Marketing Sam Alpert and AWAL Director of Digital Marketing Shelby Rosenthal to explore how top artists drive fan attention ahead of on-sale day. From surprise superfan presales to Instagram teasers, merch pop-ups, and more, we’ll break down the strategies that fuel demand and drive fans to take action.

MOMENTUM IS EVERYTHING: HOW TO BUILD HYPE BEFORE THE DROP


You, Reorged: The Future of Marketing Careers

Debbie Woloshin

Chief Marketing Officer

Al Dea

Founder, Advisor & Podcast Host

Al is a talent and leadership development consultant, facilitator, and keynote speaker. He is the Founder of The Edge of Work, a talent and leadership development firm that helps organizations develop leaders to improve engagement and performance.
Al works at the intersection of the future of work, talent, and leadership. His insights have been published in outlets such as Forbes, Fast Company, and Business Insider. He is also the host of The Edge of Work podcast, which explores the future of work and leadership, and a LinkedIn Top Voice in the Future of Work and Leadership.
Previously, Al worked at Deloitte Consulting LLP and Salesforce. He holds a bachelor's degree from Boston College and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Rohan Gupta

Principal

Rohan Gupta is a Principal with Deloitte Consulting, based in New York City. He is a technologist, product leader, and market analyst at Deloitte. Rohan partners with clients across the software, media, internet, and technology sectors to launch products, build business lines, execute go-to-market strategies, develop portfolio, pricing, and packaging strategies, and adopt enterprise AI and cloud technologies. He has the privilege of leading multidisciplinary teams of strategists, product managers, full-stack engineers, designers, and data scientists worldwide. Over his career, he has developed over 15 products and services; among his more recent engagements was supporting Google with the launch of Agentspace, and Docusign with their launch of Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM).

Kimberly Storin

Chief Marketing Officer

Kimberly Storin is the CMO at Zoom, where she leads global marketing and communications. Prior to Zoom, Kim held marketing leadership roles at various tech companies, from SaaS start-ups to Fortune 50 companies, and was an M&A consultant at Deloitte earlier in her career.

She lives in Austin, is deeply involved with the Austin philanthropic community through the Austin Community Foundation, and serves on the Advisory Board for Women in Revenue.

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

AI is transforming marketing careers, not just the work itself. According to the 2025 CMO Survey, 17.2% of marketing efforts now involve AI and machine learning, with that share expected to reach 44.2% within three years. Traditional career paths are shifting, especially in fast-moving areas like advertising and branding, and hybrid roles like strategist plus prompt engineer are becoming the new norm. This panel dives into how to adapt, build in-demand skills, and navigate a career path that looks very different from even five years ago.

YOU, REORGED: THE FUTURE OF MARKETING CAREERS

Brand & Marketing track sponsored by Youtube


Finding My Soul in Chinatown: The Making of an Accidental Activist

Grace Young

Cookbook Author, Humanitarian

Grace Young is a James Beard award winning author dubbed my Grub Street as the “accidental voice for Chinatown.” A three-time Beard winner—including Humanitarian of the Year—she’s also the first Asian American to receive the Julia Child Award for her contributions to the culinary world and advocacy to protect America’s Chinatowns. A Forbes 50 over 50 and USA Today Women of the Year honoree, Grace has been been featured on PBS Newshour, the Today Show, All Things Considered, CBS Mornings, and profiled in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Serious Eats and Cherry Bombe. Named the “Stir-fry Guru” by the New York Times and the “Poet Laureate of the Wok,” by the food historian Betty Fussell, she champions wok cookery and the fact that Chinese food is an essential part of the American culinary landscape. She donated her family’s 1949 wok to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History as a symbol of Chinese American heritage and resilience.

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

Grace Young—James Beard Humanitarian of the Year, never planned on becoming an activist. But when the pandemic gutted America’s Chinatowns she went from cookbook author to the unexpected frontline advocate for America’s Chinatowns. In this talk, she unpacks how personal storytelling, chance encounters, and cultural memories fueled her pivot into activism. Her story challenges you to define your own purpose—and inspires you to show up, push boundaries and take action for the communities and causes you care about.

FINDING MY SOUL IN CHINATOWN: THE MAKING OF AN ACCIDENTAL ACTIVIST


Mentor Session: Dee Miller (Adobe)

Dee Miller

Director of Product Equity and Insights

Dr. Dee Miller is a social intrapreneur with over 15 years of experience driving inclusive innovation and transformative solutions across industries. She specializes in bridging social impact and business value by shaping products, services, and practices that center equity and inclusivity. Her expertise spans product development, experience design, community-based participatory research, customer experience, and systems engineering.

As a Director on Adobe’s Product Equity team, Dr. Dee leads Product Strategy & Insights, driving initiatives to scale strategic efforts, deepen understanding of systemically underinvested and marginalized communities, and develop equity measurement frameworks to assess and advance the impact of Product Equity on people, products, businesses, and the industry.

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 Accessibility, "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion", Storytelling.


Mentor Session: Gulay Ozkan (GEDS Strategic Design Consultancy)

Gulay Ozkan

Founder

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Product Management/Development, Entrepreneurship.

MENTOR SESSION: GULAY OZKAN (GEDS STRATEGIC DESIGN CONSULTANCY)


Mentor Session: Ashley White Fryer (Ashley White Public Relations)

Ashley White Fryer

Founder/Principal

Tannehill

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Mentor Session: Arnaecia Alridge (Methix)

Mentor Session: Isabella Uknis (Universal Music Publishing Group)

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

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

Mentor Session: Noel Morrison (SiriusXM/Pandora)

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

MENTOR SESSION: ASHLEY WHITE FRYER (ASHLEY WHITE PUBLIC RELATIONS)


Mentor Session: Eric David Johnson DJ Bunny Ears (UnitedMasters)

Eric David Johnson (DJ Bunny Ears)

Senior Sync Partnerships Director

Eric David Johnson, p/k/a DJ Bunny Ears, is a music & branding specialist, music producer, music supervisor, record producer, director, musician, filmmaker, writer, artist, photographer & DJ. Rooted as an independent artist, he is a multi-award-winning music creative, having spent over two decades in the advertising industry. Prior to his role as Senior Sync Partnerships Director at UnitedMasters, Eric began his career with ad agency Wieden + Kennedy, followed by executive roles with Young & Rubicam (re: VML), DDB Chicago, Randall Poster’s music supervision firm, Search Party Music, McCann New York and MassiveMusic.

Eric has won numerous industry awards and accolades working with/for such clients as: Nike, Microsoft, TikTok, MGM, Coke, Mastercard, Verizon, L’Oreal, Pepsico, Budweiser, Reebok, ULTA, McDonald’s, LG, Honda, ESPN, Bacardi, Gatorade, NHL, NASCAR, State Farm, Skittles and Colgate. He has also worked with such incredible and esteemed musicians/artists as: Bob Dylan, J Dilla, Spike Lee, Alicia Keys, John Legend, SZA, Pearl Jam, Lady Gaga, Four Tet, St. Vincent, Alessia Cara, Ben Gibbard, Macy Gray, Jennifer Hudson, M. Ward, Zooey Deschanel, Camila Cabello, Max Richter, Will.I.Am and Mariah Carey - to name a few.

Originally from Milwaukee, Eric's nomadic career has led him to make homes in the cities of Portland, Los Angeles, London, Chicago, Brooklyn - now splitting time between upstate NY and NYC. Beyond his main career, he was also the creator/host of the radio show, Imaginary Soundtracks on SONOS Radio, has written and directed music videos and award-winning TV commercials for Nike, is part of the music/art collective, Pulseprogamming, advisor to the ARChive of Contemporary Music and still regularly DJs at events and venues around the world.

Eric is widely regarded as a thought leader in best practices for music-centric creative advertising/ marketing and regularly participates in international panels, juries and conferences such as SXSW, Cannes Lions, the ONE SHOW, AICPs, CLIOs, London International Awards, CMJ, BUMA Music In Motion (Amsterdam), Canadian Music Week, MIDEM, Music Finland, SPOT (Denmark), Roskilde Festival, Reeperbahn, A2IM Indie Week and Iceland Airwaves.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/PR, Emerging Technologies, and Sync/Licensing.

MENTOR SESSION: ERIC DAVID JOHNSON DJ BUNNY EARS (UNITEDMASTERS)


Round Table: Programming: Brennan Tilley, Rachel Walker, and Raul Benitez

Raul Benitez

Chicago Underground Film Festival, Midwest Film Festival

Film Programmer

Raul Benitez is a Latino film programmer in Chicago for over 16 years. For Full Spectrum Features Raul programs the Chicagoland Short Series. Raul is also  the Senior Programmer at the Midwest Film Festival, and formally the After Dark and shorts programmer for the Chicago International Film Festival. Raul also programs at Comfort Station Logan Square, Chicago Underground Film Festival, and Des Moines Latino Film Festival. Raul has been named a Chicago Film gem by New City Chicago for 2015,17,19 and in 2023 Raul was inducted to the Film Gem Hall of Fame. For Pixquid Raul is their Programming manager. Raul was also named an Esteemed Artist by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and received a DCASE grant for his Chicago/Mexico City Filmmaker exchange program. Raul is on the board of the Chicago Film Society, Chicago Screens, and formally at Chicago Filmmakers.

Rachel Walker

Programmer

Rachel Walker has worked in the film industry for over fifteen years in programming, producing, publicity & more. She is a member of both the Producers Guild and the Publicists Guild. She is an Associate Programmer at the Sundance Film Festival and a Programmer at Palm Springs ShortFest. Her most notable work in the before-times was Head of Programming for the Drafthouse LA and she currently sits on the Advisory Boards for the Overlook Film Festival and the Vidiots Foundation. Over the past 10 years, she has produced features and shorts that have played at festivals like SXSW, AFI Fest, Tribeca and more, served on juries for the Philadelphia Film Festival, Denver Film Festival, and Fantastic Fest, and acted as a mentor/panelist for SXSW, Film Independent, Comic-Con, and UCLA Film School. Since last year's festival, in addition to her programming work, she also worked on set as Field Producer, Theatrical Marketing for the upcoming IFC film Forbidden Fruits, and served as Associate Director, Communications for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

Brennan Tilley

Lead Programmer / Operations Manager

Brennan Tilley joined Calgary Underground Film Festival in 2008, serving in his current roles of Lead Programmer and Operations Manager since 2012. He has programmed a documentary festival offshoot, CUFF.Docs, since 2013. Brennan joined Calgary International Film Festival in 2004, becoming Shorts Programmer in 2015. While in this role, CIFF gained Academy Award qualifying status and experienced a surge in submissions and attendance by Canadian and international short filmmakers. Brennan left CIFF in 2020, pivoting to remote programming of short films for festivals in Canada and the US in addition to his ongoing roles with CUFF and CUFF.Docs. Brennan served as President of the Calgary Cinematheque for four years and chaired the Cinematheque’s Programming Committee for six seasons. He focuses on engaging with underrepresented communities both as artists and audience. He has a passion for finding ways for film festivals and filmmakers to engage audiences. Brennan is currently running out of space for his evergrowing collection of costumes to wear for film introductions.

Representative

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

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

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

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

Round Table: Development: Carolina Tamez and Henry Kittredge

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

ROUND TABLE: PROGRAMMING: BRENNAN TILLEY, RACHEL WALKER, AND RAUL BENITEZ

Film & TV track sponsored by Crunchyroll


Mentor Session: Danielle Beauvoir (The Elements Music)

Danielle Beauvoir

Sr. Producer/Artist Partnerships

Danielle Beauvoir is a Senior Producer at The Elements Music. With a strong background in Production, A&R and Synch Licensing. She now works closely with brands and ad agencies to bring their music-driven vision to life. She has produced multiple award winning campaigns including Nike Jordan x Teyana Taylor - "Les Fleurs" and 7Eleven -"Anything Flows", and "Out Of This World: The Official Anthem of the Men's T20 Cricket World Cup".

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in A&R, Women in Music, Sync/Licensing, Audio/Production (Recording/Mixing/Mastering).

MENTOR SESSION: DANIELLE BEAUVOIR (THE ELEMENTS MUSIC)


Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Scott Feinstein (42West)

Scott Feinstein

President

Scott Feinstein serves as President of the Entertainment Marketing Division of 42West. Feinstein creates and executes publicity campaigns for narrative and documentary features, oversees 42West's film festival strategy and slate, represents filmmakers and production companies, and runs awards campaigns.

Feinstein also sits on the board of the non-profit, Beat The Streets in NYC.

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 Publicity & Marketing, "Sales, Acquisitions, & Distribution", Narrative Filmmakers.

PUBLICITY AND MARKETING MENTOR SESSION: SCOTT FEINSTEIN (42WEST)


Agents & Managers Mentor Session: Jorge Elizondo (TAG Talent Agency)

Jorge Elizondo

Talent Agent

Owner of Acting Group Talent, an agency based at Austin Studios. I've been working in the film industry for nearly 20 years, originally starting my career in Corpus Christi. My experience spans various aspects of the industry, from casting under Beth Sepko to working with the original TAG Talent Agency. I've been a co-owner of the agency since 2018. We represent local talent and collaborate with production teams from Los Angeles to New York City.

Liberty

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

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

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

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

Programming Mentor Session: CC Hutten (TED Conferences)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Acting, Agents & Managers, Development.

AGENTS & MANAGERS MENTOR SESSION: JORGE ELIZONDO (TAG TALENT AGENCY)


Agents & Managers Mentor Session: Linnea Toney (Underscore Talent)

Linnea Toney

Co-Head of Entertainment/Partner/Manager

Linnea is a Partner at Underscore Talent, and co-head of Entertainment, where she oversees a team of managers and roster of talent. Underscore Talent is a 360 management company that focuses across all areas of media. With expertise in the worlds of storytelling, producing and talent management Linnea is on the forefront of guiding and shaping the new creator economy. Linnea has shaped the careers of talent like Elyse Myers, Hannah Hart, Gunnar Deatherage, Maya Murillo and more. Linnea crafted one of the first YouTube to network deals with Hannah Hart’s Food Network series “I Hart Food,” which she also executive-produced. She also produces the hit podcast Funny Cuz It’s True with Elyse Myers alongside Powderkeg Media and Lemonada Media. Linnea was named one of Business Insiders Tik Tok Manager Power List (2023) and Top YouTube Managers (2020). Prior to talent management, Linnea worked in scripted development at Ryan Seacrest Productions and was the conference director for the Austin Film Festival.

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

AGENTS & MANAGERS MENTOR SESSION: LINNEA TONEY (UNDERSCORE TALENT)


AI Infrastructure: Building Stargate & Beyond

Kaylen Bushell, CRL

Compute Delivery Lead

Kaylen has close to 20 years of experience working in mission-critical environments, including 15 years across the data center lifecycle and earlier experience in the U.S. Coast Guard, where she developed a strong foundation in operational discipline and reliability. Her work has spanned design, construction, operations, and retrofit/refresh programs, which gives her a practical, end-to-end view of how data centers are planned, built, and operated. Kaylen currently support OpenAI’s data center program as a technical program manager, leading the coordination across design and active construction efforts.

Peter Hoeschele

VP Strategy And Operations – Infrastructure

Matthew Castle

Head of Infrastructure Business Development

Justin Haan

Partner and Chair of Technology Transactions Group

Justin Haan advises leading technology industry pioneers to help them navigate their most critical IP and technology needs. Justin’s practice focuses on transactions and counseling involving intellectual property and technology, including licensing arrangements, technology transfers, and joint development activities. He advises clients on the development, procurement and commercialization of frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented/virtual reality, semiconductors, cloud computing services, autonomous vehicles, data centers, and unmanned aircraft systems. Justin’s experience includes advising OpenAI, Autodesk, Meta, Salesforce, SoftBank, Unity, and other blockbuster names.

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

The AI revolution has changed how we work, play, and more. It is also driving a major shift in the backend infrastructure that powers these developments.

As AI capabilities accelerate, leading tech companies are moving beyond software and into the physical world of data centers, power, and infrastructure. Why? Because the future of intelligence now depends as much on electricity and silicon as it does on algorithms.

In this session, OpenAI pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale AI today. The conversation explores how data center development has become mission-critical, how decisions about where to build are made, and what happens when AI growth collides with real-world limits such as energy, land, and supply chains.

From energy partnerships to site selection, this conversation will reveal how data center development has shaped the landscape in nearby locations – such as OpenAI’s Stargate facility in Abilene, Texas – and perhaps someday far away in Earth’s orbit.

AI INFRASTRUCTURE: BUILDING STARGATE & BEYOND


Hey Marketers: Get Out of the Feed and Into the Chat

Kevin Hein

Chief Growth Officer

Kevin Hein is the Chief Growth officer at GIPHY, and has been instrumental in transforming GIPHY into a unique platform that connects brands with audiences through messaging—an untapped channel for advertising.
Under his leadership, GIPHY has expanded its advertiser base, introduced innovative ad formats, and positioned itself as a key player in the messaging ecosystem, driving significant revenue growth and delivering exceptional results for clients.
Before joining GIPHY, Kevin was an early team member at Meta, where he contributed to the company’s foundational growth in the digital advertising space. His tenure at Meta saw him play a pivotal role in scaling advertising solutions for global brands across emerging and established markets. This experience honed his ability to deliver impactful strategies that balance innovation with scalability, contributing to the company’s exponential success during its formative years.
Kevin’s career also includes diverse experience across tech, media, and advertising, where he successfully led teams, launched new initiatives, and fostered collaboration to drive business success. With a passion for creativity, data-driven insights, and client-first solutions, Kevin continues to help brands leverage the power of digital platforms to engage audiences meaningfully and effectively.

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

The internet has gone quiet, at full volume. Public feeds are louder than ever, but the most meaningful conversations - and the real signals of what people actually care about - are now happening in private spaces. According to GIPHY's research, 90 percent of people share major life updates in group chats before they post them publicly. More than half of Gen Z says their chat knows them better than their family. And every day, 50 percent more GIFs are sent than voice memos. This talk goes inside the shift from public to private sharing, and what it means for brands, creators, and communicators.

HEY MARKETERS: GET OUT OF THE FEED AND INTO THE CHAT


Mentor Session: Megan Barbour (Space Cowboy Music)

Megan Barbour

Director of Music/Music Supervisor

Megan is the award winning Director Of Music for Trailers and Promos at Space Cowboy Music in Los Angeles, CA. Recent credits include Avengers Doomsday, Fantastic Four: The First Steps, Fortnite, 28 Years Later, Evil Dead Rise, Big Mouth: The Final Season.  For the past 14 years she has worked on numerous theatrical, broadcast, and video game trailer marketing campaigns across all major studios.  Born and raised in Los Angeles, Megan fell in love with music at an early age. Her background is rooted in dance, opera, musical theatre, and vocal performance.

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 Songwriting, Sync/Licensing, Women in Music.

MENTOR SESSION: MEGAN BARBOUR (SPACE COWBOY MUSIC)


Featured Session: Real-World Impact of AI: Opportunities, Risks and Intellectual Property Oh My!

The Hon. Michelle K. Lee

CEO

Michelle Lee is founder and CEO of Obsidian Strategies (“Architects for AI-Driven Strategies”), where she advises Fortune-ranked companies on their most impactful AI and AI governance. She also currently works with GenAI startups helping them to increase productivity, enhance customer experiences and augment creativity.

Before Obsidian, Michelle was Vice President (AI) at Amazon Web Services, where she built global AI software services and led key parts of AWS' global AI business including the Machine Learning Solutions Lab and Computer Vision business as well as AWS’ responsible AI efforts.

Prior to Amazon, Michelle served as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She is the first woman to hold this position since the founding of our country, and is a leading intellectual property expert.

From 2017 to 2018, Michelle held the appointment as the Herman Phleger Visiting Professor of Law at Stanford where she taught on disruptive technologies (including AI and autonomous vehicles) and their impact on existing policies and regulations. Michelle also served as Deputy General Counsel and its first Head of Patents and Patent Strategy at Google, a partner at Fenwick & West, and an AI researcher at the MIT AI and Hewlett-Packard Research Labs.

Michelle holds a B.S. and an M.S. from MIT in electrical engineering and computer science and a J.D. from Stanford Law. She wrote her thesis at the MIT AI Lab, frequently speaks globally on AI, AI governance, intellectual property, digital transformation and innovation, has testified before the U.S. Congress about 10 times on various areas of her expertise, and serves as a presidentially appointed member of the American Bar Association’s Task on Artificial Intelligence and the Law.

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

AI is the most transformative technology of our generation. This session explores the promise and perils of AI, sharing concrete examples of how AI is being applied with impact by businesses, creators and others to drive operational efficiency, enhance customer experiences, increase revenues and augment creativity. The audience will also learn about the risks associated with AI including some novel intellectual property issues (IP) posed, and how to weigh opportunities with risks. The insights shared are from a speaker who has built AI solutions and been at the top levels of technology, law, business and government and boardroom, all of which perspectives are critical to the successful AI applications.

FEATURED SESSION: REAL-WORLD IMPACT OF AI: OPPORTUNITIES, RISKS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OH MY!


Agents & Managers Mentor Session: Halle Mariner (Independent Artist Group)

Halle Mariner

Scripted Literary Agent

Halle Mariner is a scripted literary agent at Indepedent Artist Group, with a focus on motion pictures. She studied at Columbia College Chicago and previously worked in film sales for Shoreline Entertainment and Preferred Content.  As an honoree of Colour Associates 2019 Next Up List, Halle was also a part of the inaugural Women Wednesday’s BIPOC Mentorship Program Committee, #Startwith8 Mentorship Program, was a HRTSA Board Member, and was on the Diverse Representation: 10 to Watch in 2023.

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 Agents & Managers, Development, "Sales, Acquisitions, & Distribution".

AGENTS & MANAGERS MENTOR SESSION: HALLE MARINER (INDEPENDENT ARTIST GROUP)


Agents & Managers Mentor Session: Daniel Leap (Independent Artist Group)

Daniel Leap

Scripted Literary Agent

Daniel Leap is a Scripted Literary Agent at Independent Artist Group (IAG). He works with both writers and directors across TV and film and from varying levels.

Originally from Upstate New York, he graduated from Ithaca College before moving to Los Angeles. He got his start working in development at Blumhouse Productions, and on-set for various commercials, films, and TV series, such as TruTV’s signature comedy I’M SORRY as well as Netflix’s hit series DEAD TO ME.

He is passionate about being a platform and advocate for diverse, queer, and left-of-center voices in the industry. A genre-nerd, he is especially drawn to horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and comedy pieces, although tries to be well-round in reading a bit of everything.

Liberty

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

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

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

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

Programming Mentor Session: CC Hutten (TED Conferences)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Screenwriting, Narrative Filmmakers, Agents & Managers, Development.

AGENTS & MANAGERS MENTOR SESSION: DANIEL LEAP (INDEPENDENT ARTIST GROUP)


Mentor Session: Amanda Glaeser (Glass Reels)

Amanda Glaeser

Founder

Amanda Glaeser is a creative director and go-to-market brand strategist with 20 years of experience helping companies—from scrappy startups to global brands—create content that connects. A graduate of UT’s Radio-Television-Film program, she’s led in-house creative at tech companies like Rev and National Instruments and now consults across industries on brand clarity, content strategy, and video. She’s known for making people sound smart and look comfortable on camera—and has been known to tell a dad joke (or five) to make it happen. Amanda has filmed and taught content creation around the world, with a focus on practical tools and real-world storytelling.

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 Storytelling, Marketing/Advertising/PR, Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning.

MENTOR SESSION: AMANDA GLAESER (GLASS REELS)


Mentor Session: Bradley Schurman (Human Change)

Bradley Schurman

Founder and CEO

Bradley Schurman is the host of Population Next, author of The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny (Harper Collins, 2022), and founder of Human Change, a foresight consultancy that helps global organizations navigate demographic disruption. He’s the co-creator of the Prosperity Index, a new framework for assessing the future resilience of American cities, and author of the forthcoming book The Geography of Prosperity (MIT Press, 2027).

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Storytelling, Future of Work, Journalism.

MENTOR SESSION: BRADLEY SCHURMAN (HUMAN CHANGE)


Mentor Session: Dr. Rob Franklin, PhD (Blackrock Neurotech)

Rob Franklin

SVP

Rob is currently the SVP, Brain Computer Interfaces at Blackrock Neurotech. Rob earned the Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he developed electrodes for in vivo neurotransmitter sensing. Following his Ph.D. studies, Rob began his work at Blackrock Neurotech where he has directed a team of engineers in the design and development of implantable, wireless neural interface electronics and novel silicon electrodes for recording and stimulation in the brain. His deep technical understanding and solution-oriented engineering approach have put him at the core of Blackrock's clinical translation activities, and he currently leads the BCI translation team developing Blackrock’s Neuralace technology.

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

MENTOR SESSION: DR. ROB FRANKLIN, PHD (BLACKROCK NEUROTECH)


Mentor Session: Andreas Addison (Civic Innovator)

Andreas Addison

CEO, Founder

Andreas Addison is an entrepreneur, professor, and civic innovator with over 16 years of experience leading transformational change in government and business. He is the founder of Civic Innovator, a national consulting firm that helps city leaders implement bold ideas through human-centered design and systems thinking. A former two-term Richmond City Councilmember, Andreas spearheaded initiatives like participatory budgeting, regional transit expansion, right to counsel for evictions, and fare-free public transportation. He has taught social enterprise at the University of Virginia and worked with global partners including the National League of Cities, IBM Smarter Cities Challenge, and Code for America. Today, Andreas continues to shape the future of governance and innovation, bridging public, private, and community sectors to deliver real impact.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Policy, Entrepreneurship, "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion".

MENTOR SESSION: ANDREAS ADDISON (CIVIC INNOVATOR)


Tech Marketers Meet Up

Danissa Cuevas

Sr. Manager, Paid Media

Danissa Cuevas is a seasoned marketing leader with a passion for bridging the gap between brand strategy and performance media. With a career built at the intersection of analytics, advertising innovation, and business expansion, Danissa has developed a reputation for mastering high-impact media channels that deliver real ROI.

As the Sr Manager of Paid Media at Realtor.com, Danissa leads the brand’s YouTube & video program, leveraging data-driven strategy, experimentation, and cross-platform optimization to drive measurable impact.

Jessica Rothberg

Lead Marketing Manager

Jessica Rothberg is a data-driven digital marketing professional with over 8 years of experience in growth marketing across startups and established enterprises. Her background spans both agency and client-side roles, giving her a well-rounded perspective on building and managing paid marketing channels. Currently, Jessica serves as Marketing Lead at Realtor.com, where she manages digital strategy on the Emerging Lines of Business verticals. Previously, she played a key role at unicorn startup Oyster HR, helping scale the digital media program from Series B through Series D funding.

Calling all Tech Marketers attending SXSW. We’re hosting a dedicated meetup for tech marketers to connect, swap notes, and talk shop. Whether you're looking to discuss the latest in AI-driven advertising or want to hear which new vendors your peers are actually excited about, this is the place to be. See you there!


Agents & Managers Mentor Session: Richard Botto (Stage 32)

Richard Botto

Founder & CEO

Richard “RB” Botto is the visionary behind Stage 32, the largest online platform and marketplace launched in 2011 to democratize the entertainment industry. With over 1.3 million creatives and professionals worldwide - 50% in the US and 50% International, Stage 32 offers unparalleled networking, training, and direct access to industry opportunities, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. With education partnerships with Netflix, Women in Film & TV International, the Cannes Film Festival, Bloomberg, Canon, American Film Market & over 50 film commissions worldwide Stage 32 is the dominant leader in entertainment industry training and community.

RB is also a producer whose credits include the Sundance-award-winning Another Happy Day, What Lies Ahead starring Rumer Willis and Emma Dumont, Rain Beau’s End with Ed Asner and Sean Young, and executive producer roles on projects like Alix (Catalyst Studios), and After All starring Penelope Anne Miller. He has also helped incubate films such as Chick Fight with Malin Akerman and Alec Baldwin, Neighborhood Watch with Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Jack Quaid through Stage 32.

As a WGA screenwriter, RB has an original television series set up at a mini-major studio with an A-list showrunner from Apple attached, as well as feature film scripts set up at production companies. His acting career spans theater in New York to starring alongside Academy Award nominated actress Abigail Breslin in A Good Fight. RB’s #1 best-selling book, Crowdsourcing For Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd (Routledge), has earned over 100 5-star reviews. A sought-after speaker, he has shared his expertise at global events like Cannes, Tribeca, SXSW, and the American Film Market.

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 Agents & Managers, Screenwriting, International.

AGENTS & MANAGERS MENTOR SESSION: RICHARD BOTTO (STAGE 32)


Mentor Session: Daciay Quenah (Good Ear Music Supervision)

Daciay Quenah

Associate Producer

With over 12 years of advertising and creative strategy experience, Daciay has always had a deep
admiration for the magic created when visuals meet the perfect song. She’s sharpened her musical chops
through vocal performance & the obsessive consumption of all genres of music. Currently at Good Ear
Music Supervision, her love of the craft has grown while working on ads for brands such as Meta, Pinterest, Google, Amazon, Genesis, and Expedia.

Tannehill

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Mentor Session: Arnaecia Alridge (Methix)

Mentor Session: Isabella Uknis (Universal Music Publishing Group)

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

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

Mentor Session: Noel Morrison (SiriusXM/Pandora)

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

MENTOR SESSION: DACIAY QUENAH (GOOD EAR MUSIC SUPERVISION)


Mentor Session: Jess Tomlins (Neon Coast)

Jess Tomlins

Project Manager/Day-to-Day Manager

Jess Tomlins has over 13 years of experience in entertainment law and the music industry, combining strategic expertise with a deep understanding of the creative process. Currently, the HITS Magazine Noisemaker is Project Manager and Day-to-Day Manager at Neon Coast, the forward-thinking music and entertainment company behind global superstars such as Kane Brown, Julia Cole, and Kat Luna.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Management, Health & Wellness.

MENTOR SESSION: JESS TOMLINS (NEON COAST)


Bird Lovers Meet Up

Glynnis Breen

Vice President of Communications

Glynnis Breen is a senior communications, brand, and marketing executive driving global engagement across conservation, science, and sustainability. She leads the Communications Division at the National Audubon Society, setting enterprise-wide strategy to amplify conservation impact across 800 staff and over 2 million supporters. Previously, she served as Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for American Forest Foundation, and spent 14 years in leadership at the National Geographic Society where she led communications across all programmatic divisions and was promoted five times.

Glynnis is at peak happiness tromping through the woods with her curious daughter and championing women’s leadership as a founding member of Chief. A proud graduate of George Washington University, she also serves on the board of NatureBridge, furthering her commitment to environmental education, outreach, and impact.

Ramona Schindelheim

Journalist & Host

Ramona Schindelheim is an award-winning veteran journalist, storyteller, and host of the Birds & Nerds podcast. Ramona has worked for ABC News, CNBC, and The Wall Street Journal; local news stations in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago; and as editor-in-chief of the nonprofit news organization WorkingNation. Her many awards include Emmys, Peabodys, and a Gracie award. Ramona's career as a storyteller includes time as a scripted television writer and as a media consultant. The Birds & Nerds podcast combines her curiosity about the world and storytelling with her love of birds.

Room 408

Convene, Collaborate, & Cultivate Connection: Moms Meet Up

Whether you’re an experienced bird watcher or just appreciate the beauty and magic of birds, all are welcome to join us at the Bird Lovers Meet Up at SXSW! Really, who doesn't love birds?!?! Hosted by journalist and Birds & Nerds podcast host Ramona Schindelheim and National Audubon Society vice president Glynnis Breen.


Mentor Session: Carlos Ardila

Carlos Ardila

Music Strategy Consultant

A senior executive with 15 years of experience in the music and entertainment industry, Carlos Ardila has led the editorial teams at Spotify and Deezer in Colombia, Perú, Ecuador and Venezuela. Currently he is a music strategy consultant for artists, labels and distributors, focusing on DSP growth in Latam.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Streaming & Programming, Education, Data.


Mentor Session: Grace Larsen (Rareform)

Grace Larsen

Marketing Coordinator

Grace Larsen is a music marketing strategist at Rareform, a boutique artist services company built for independent musicians. Grace helps create and lead bespoke tour and release marketing plans for global artists including L’Impératrice, Tash Sultana, The Dare, Ocean Alley, Ziggy Alberts, BAYNK, and more. Prior to joining Rareform, Grace worked at CAA booking stadium and arena tours for artists such as Stevie Nicks and Lenny Kravitz, as well as club and theatre tours for developing talents like Declan McKenna. In addition to touring, she also focused on building key partnerships for artists to turn creative endeavors into successful businesses. Grace started her music career in the talent buying departments of Goldenvoice and AEG Global Touring where she learned the ins and outs of developing an artists’ touring career. A native of Los Angeles and graduate of UCLA, Grace incorporates her live music roots and creative community into her holistic artist development plans.

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


Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Greg Longstreet (Empirical)

Greg Longstreet

Founder/Owner

Longstreet founded Empirical in 2024, working exclusively with filmmakers. With more than two decades in film and talent publicity, he focuses on building thoughtful, strategic campaigns that elevate a filmmaker’s profile in the lead-up to release. From first-time directors to established ones, he partners closely with clients and their studio publicity teams to ensure his clients are positioned creatively, and effectively throughout a campaign.

Recent campaign highlights include Drew Hancock (Companion), Dan Berk & Bobby Olsen (Novocaine), Macon Blair (The Toxic Avenger), Benjamin Caron (Night Always Comes), Greg Jardin (It's What's Inside), Ian McDonald (Woman of the Hour), Shane Black (Play Dirty), Edgar Wright (The Running Man), and many more.

In 2011, Longstreet handled the SXSW campaign for Joe Cornish’s Attack the Block, which won the Audience Award and went on to become a cult favorite.  He returns to SXSW in 2026 with Nick Kocher & Brian McElhaney (aka BriTANick), the writer/directors of Pizza Movie and as writers of Over Your Dead Body, directed by Jorma Taccone.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Agents & Managers, Publicity & Marketing, Screenwriting.

PUBLICITY AND MARKETING MENTOR SESSION: GREG LONGSTREET (EMPIRICAL)


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

Gabriel Ornelas

Executive Director

Gabriel Ornelas is Executive Director of Cine Las Americas, a multicultural organization based in Austin, Texas, USA. Celebrating 28 years, Cine Las Americas, offers theatrical screenings of films made by and/or Latinos or indigenous peoples of the Americas. Films from Spain and Portugal are also included, enhancing a truly Pan-American cinematic experience.
Gabriel's experience focuses on managing cultural arts programs and events, venue coordination, and supporting the performing arts. His work has included managing a statewide film program with the Texas Film Commission, producing large municipal events, and a variety of conference and event management work at universities. He resides in Austin, TX and draws from his cultural and personal experiences of growing up growing up in the border region of El Paso, TX, USA

Leti Bueno

Deputy Director

Leti Bueno is the Deputy Director of Cine Las Americas and a fundraising and development consultant based in Austin, Texas. She works alongside arts, culture, and social impact organizations to raise meaningful resources, build trust-based partnerships, and sustain work that is deeply rooted in community. Her experience spans national and international nonprofits, where she has led fundraising strategies for women-led, Latine/x, and immigrant-led initiatives, as well as the music sector and ethical trade. Leti is especially drawn to work that centers creative workers and honors cultural knowledge as a form of economic and social power.

Whitis

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

Women in Film & Televison Austin Hosts Connect & Collaborate

Film & TV Audience and Community Building Meet Up

Join Cine Las Americas to celebrate local Latine/x voices in film and the vibrant creative community thriving in Austin. This is a chance to connect with international filmmakers and engage with a platform dedicated to amplifying Latine/x stories. Cine Las Americas, alongside organizations like Malakita Productions and filmmaker Alejandro Pedemonte, showcase how local talent shapes the global film landscape.  Whether you're seeking collaboration, inspiration, or a pathway to share your vision, we invite you to connect and be a part of this vibrant growing community.

LATINE/X VOICES IN FILM: CREATIVES MEET-UP!


Mentor Session: Nancy Giordano (Play Big Inc)

Nancy Giordano

Exponential Strategist

Described as endlessly optimistic, Nancy is an exponential strategist, gatherer, and author who
has given more than 200 keynotes across the world. With a drive to help enterprise
organizations and caring leaders transform to meet the escalating expectations ahead, she is
recognized as one of the world’s top female futurists.

The world’s first TEDx licensee, best-selling author of Leadering: The Ways Visionary Leaders Play Bigger, host of the Futurist(Mom) podcast , and mother of three young adults, her expertise and experiences range from A.I. to frozen foods to reinventing the internet.

With nearly a decade advising and helping shape the AI economy, she is now even more convinced it is possible to create a world of shared prosperity, if we are open to the emerging regenerative, inclusive and dynamic patterns this fast moving future demands and the paradigm shifting solutions it offers.

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 Future of Work, Ethics, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning.

MENTOR SESSION: NANCY GIORDANO (PLAY BIG INC)


Eternal Icons: Tetris, Sonic & The Art of Timeless Play

Shuji Utsumi

President and Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Shuji Utsumi is President & COO of SEGA Corporation, overseeing global business strategy across Japan, the U.S., and Europe. A 30+ year industry veteran, he helped launch the original PlayStation at Sony, held leadership roles at Disney Interactive, and co-founded Q Entertainment. Now leading SEGA’s revival of legacy IP like Sonic, Utsumi brings deep experience in global brand strategy, cross-cultural leadership, and interactive entertainment.

Maya Rogers

CEO

Maya Rogers is CEO of Tetris, where she has led the brand’s evolution from iconic video game to global lifestyle powerhouse. Under her leadership, Tetris launched hit titles like Tetris Effect: Connected and Tetris 99, expanded into film with the Apple TV+ movie Tetris, and was named Best Digital Brand of 2024 at the Licensing International Awards. The brand now reaches into fashion, toys, and entertainment through 90+ global partners.

Maya is also co-founder of Blue Startups, Hawaiʻi’s first venture accelerator, which invests in early-stage tech companies focused on tourism, sustainability, and diversity. She serves on several nonprofit boards, including the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region and Kapiʻolani Medical Center.

Greg Off

CEO

Greg Off turned a passion for video games into a three-decade career as a creative leader, storyteller, and entrepreneur. Starting as a magazine editor and strategy guide author, Greg went on to found Off Base — a creative agency trusted by top publishers like PlayStation, Riot Games, Capcom, and Bandai Namco. Under his leadership, Off Base has helped shape some of the most iconic gaming campaigns, blending insight, fandom, and originality to connect with players worldwide. With a deep understanding of the industry and a belief that great creative moves people, Greg continues to push boundaries, build teams, and tell stories that matter — to studios, to fans, and the future of gaming.

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

Some stories never fade—they evolve. This session explores how iconic franchises like Tetris and Sonic continue to shape culture and spark creativity. Maya Rogers, President & CEO of Tetris, and Shuji Utsumi, President & COO of SEGA, share how legacy IP adapts to new generations and drives innovation. Moderated by Greg Off, a 20-year game industry veteran and CEO of creative agency Off Base, this panel dives into the enduring power—and future—of beloved entertainment worlds.

ETERNAL ICONS: TETRIS, SONIC & THE ART OF TIMELESS PLAY


Architects of Emotion: Designing for Human Connection

Tony Knopp

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

Tony is the Co-Founder and CEO of TicketManager, a technology investor, and serves on multiple boards of sports and tech companies. He’s built and scaled businesses from inception including Corporate Sales at StubHub (sold to eBay for $307M), TicketManager (sold to Valeas for $110M), and advising tech businesses with four exits. With his Co-Founders, Tony built TicketManager from a three-man garage band to an institutionally backed SaaS platform used by clients like Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, MasterCard, the NFL, NBA, Nike, and Adidas. He's led $100M+ in capital financing and has partnerships with 100+ pro teams, universities, and tech giants like Ticketmaster. TicketManager has made Inc. 5000 seven times and been named a top workplace by the LA Business Journal and Sports Business Journal

Rosabel Murai

Chief Media Officer

Rosie is the Chief Media Officer at Team One and an accomplished marketing executive with 18+ years of experience in media leadership and brand strategy. As former Managing Director at OMD, she led key accounts across automotive, SaaS, and financial services sectors, and drove strategic vision across all business lines. She also led several high-profile pitches, including wins like Canva as their first U.S. AOR. A passionate DEI advocate, Rosie served as OMD’s West Coast DEI lead. Prior roles include VP Group Media Director, spearheading strategic marketing for Kia’s annual portfolio and media launches for all-new vehicles. She also spent time at Twitter as one of the automotive leads in the West Coast.

Tyler Washburn

Senior Vice President Venues and Experience

Tyler Washburn is Senior Vice President, Venues and Experience at Cosm, bringing extensive expertise across architecture, design, and immersive environments. He began his career as a Superintendent Assistant at Rutt Construct Inc., then served as a Drafter at EDM International and a Designer at Humphreys and Partners Architects. He later held the role of Senior Designer at PRDG, LLC and went on to become Director of Design and Planning at Mirasol Capital. Tyler holds a BS in Architecture, an MBA, and a Master of Architecture in Healthcare Facility Design, all from Texas Tech University.

Lance Evans

Venues Design Director, Partner

Lance Evans is Venues Design Director and Partner at HKS, where he leads the design of some of the world’s most iconic sports venues. With 20 years in architecture, he was the lead architect on SoFi Stadium and the U.S. Bank Stadium, and helped shape landmark projects like AT&T Stadium and Lucas Oil Stadium. Lance believes every venue should reflect the spirit of its community, drawing inspiration from local culture, climate, and context. His work spans NFL stadiums, MLB ballparks, collegiate facilities, and international arenas. A Texas native now based in Los Angeles, Lance blends creativity and collaboration to create unforgettable fan experiences—designing not just stadiums, but cultural landmarks.

Waller Ballroom A

Texas High School Shorts Screening & Q&A

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

From Viral to Viable: Building IP as a Creator

Today’s most iconic venues are more than just architectural marvels; they’re immersive, tech-powered environments designed to bring people together. Join leaders in architecture and brand experience to explore how large-scale stadiums and next-gen immersive destinations are crafted to amplify emotion, ignite human connection, and become part of the stories unfolding within them. These venues go beyond just aesthetics to create shared experiences that resonate long after the moment.

ARCHITECTS OF EMOTION: DESIGNING FOR HUMAN CONNECTION


How to Build AI-First Products: Models, Memory, Mastery

Kartik Hosanagar

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

John C. Hower Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Co-Director, Wharton Human-AI Research

Kartik Hosanagar is a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, an AI researcher and the author of A Human’s Guide to Machine Intelligence. He co-directs the Human-AI Research Center at Wharton and is the founder of the AI startup Jumpcut Media, which is used by 200+ companies in Hollywood as a copilot for creative execs. His book proposes some of the earliest ideas on AI safety which he called the AI Bill of Rights, a term that was later adopted by the White House. He also serves on the U.S. Department of Defense’s AI Advisory Council. Kartik is a Fellow of the INFORMS Information Systems Society and a thirteen-time winner of the annual Excellence in Teaching award at the Wharton School.

Aparna Chennapragada

Aparna Chennapragada is the Chief Product Officer of Microsoft Experiences and Devices division, leading efforts to transform the world of work with AI. She has 25+ years of experience as a senior executive, founder and product leader successfully leading companies and teams through massive platform shifts from the internet to mobile to AI at Microsoft, Google, Robinhood and Akamai. Aparna was the visionary founder of Google Lens, an AI product with billions of monthly searches. She serves on the board of eBay and was previously on the board of Capital One. She was recently selected as one of Fortune's most powerful rising executives in America.

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 reshaping how we build software products—from conversational UX to fast-evolving AI models that can upend product roadmaps and even entire products. In this session, a leading product exec and a Wharton AI expert share how to design products powered by large language models. You'll learn how AI is reshaping product roles, what it takes to build with ever-evolving models, and why great UX now means thinking in conversations, not clicks.

HOW TO BUILD AI-FIRST PRODUCTS: MODELS, MEMORY, MASTERY


Design Trends That Matter

Uwe Cremering

CEO

Uwe Cremering has been CEO of iF Design since April, 2021. Previously, he was part of the management team for the Pro Division at Sennheiser Electronics, one of the world's leading audio manufacturers. Since beginning his career as a Project Manager for the 2000 World Expo – business development, digital transformation, design and innovation topics have been a focus. He has continued in this direction since joining iF – reaffirming the prestigious institution’s commitment to the international design community, expanding the organization’s global footprint, introducing a Lifetime Achievement Award, and launching an educational platform- the iF DESIGN ACADEMY, among other groundbreaking activities. Uwe lives in Hannover, Germany, with his family and is an unabashed espresso aficionado.

Nick Foster

Futures Designer, Author, and former Head of Design at Google X

Nick Foster RDI is a Futures Designer based in Oakland, CA. He has spent his career exploring the future for globally renowned technology companies including Apple, Google, Nokia, Sony and Dyson. As Head of Design at Google X from 2016-23, he led a team of designers, researchers and prototypers developing nascent technologies such as brain-controlled computer interfaces, intelligent robotics, stratospheric internet balloons and neighborhood-scale nuclear fusion. In 2018, Fortune magazine described him as ‘one of the world’s foremost leaders in speculative design’, and in 2021, he was awarded the title Royal Designer for Industry- the highest accolade for a British designer- in recognition of his significant contributions to the discipline. His first book will be released in August 2025.

Lisa Gralnek

US Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainability & Impact

Lisa is a brand builder with 25-years of experience creating and launching new ideas and initiatives for companies including adidas, BCG, Chobani, moo.com, and Walmart. She is currently the US Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainability for iF Design, a respected member of the international design community since 1953. Lisa hosts the award-winning interview series, FUTURE OF XYZ. She holds a BA in Political Science and French from Bates College and an MBA from INSEAD.

Doreen Lorenzo

Assistant Dean, School of Design and Creative Technology

Doreen Lorenzo is a successful leader of global creative firms. As former President of frog design and Quirky, she has advised companies about design and innovation for decades. In 2016, she started the Center for Integrated Design at the University of Texas at Austin. The success of that program led her in 2017, to be appointed Assistant Dean of the new School of Design and Creative Technologies. In 2018, Doreen was honored by Texas Monthly as one of 15 Innovators Reshaping Texas. Doreen is a Co-Founder of mobile video insights firm Vidlet, as well as a board member and active business advisor. For nearly ten years, she has written a monthly column for Fast Company Co.Design called ‘Designing Women’. More recently, she started a podcast, ‘Creativity is the Job of the Future’.

Waller Ballroom C

From TikTok to Toolbelt: Preparing Gen Z for Work

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

It Takes a Region: Cybersecurity Pathways in Rural Alabama

Rethinking Discovery Algorithms for the Creator Economy

It’s not news that we’re living in an era of transformation. But what is the role of design in shaping our future? And what is the responsibility of designers? The annual iF Design Trend Report seeks detailed answers. In this dynamic panel, three trailblazing design leaders come together to preview the international design institute’s top insights for 2026. Building on their decades of interdisciplinary expertise, panelists will explore intersectional topics such as autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots, emerging education, multisensory marketing, and much more. For those who love great design!