The inaugural SXSW Sydney kicked off, expanding Austin’s famed South by Southwest festival outside North America for the first time in its history.
From Sunday, October 15 to Sunday, October 22, SXSW Sydney 2023 sees the Asia-Pacific’s pre-eminent creatives come together in the heart of Sydney.
SXSW Sydney is a stacked week-long program bringing together the best of the best across tech, music, screen, gaming and culture.
SXSW Sydney started strong with a stacked afternoon of events at Tumbalong Park, a hub for all things creativity and innovation, giving attendees the chance to experience the future of music, games, screen and tech via free events in the heart of the city.
From the SXSW Sydney Opening Ceremony to The Royal Hotel Opening Night Screen Gala – day 1 was a day to remember.
Highlights include:
The SXSW Sydney Opening Ceremony
SXSW Sydney’s Opening Ceremony, curated by Awesome Black and in conjunction with Sydney Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, took place at its hub of Tumbalong Park. The event included:
- Welcome To Country by Yvonne Weldon
- Introduction by SXSW Sydney Managing Director, Colin Daniels
- Smoking Ceremony by Dave Barnett
- Performances by Eric Avery and Jannawi Dancers
- And a speech by Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night Time Economy, the Hon. John Graham MLC
SXSW Sydney’s inaugural Opening Night: The Royal Hotel
SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival’s Opening Night film, The Royal Hotel had attendees on the edge of their seats this evening.
This highly anticipated Aussie outback thriller is co-written and directed by Kitty Green (The Assistant, Casting JonBenet), with Green gracing the Opening Night red carpet alongside actor Ursula Yovich, along with keynote speakers Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker and futurist Amy Webb, at the ICC’s Darling Harbour Theatre before the Australian premiere of the film.
After the screening, attendees headed to Tumbalong Park for the official Opening Party of the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival. Featuring food trucks and drinks from Young Henry’s Bar, plus DJ sets from the always-uplifting Go-Jo and Melbourne mega-producer Harvey Sutherland, kicking off SXSW Sydney’s inaugural Screen Festival in style!
Big Questions with Adam Spencer
Free form, no holds barred discussions with some of the most exciting minds at SXSW Sydney, expertly curated by one of the brightest and funniest hosts in the business, Adam Spencer.
Adam Spencer asked the tough questions to Professor Toby Walsh FAA FACM FRSN, Professor Georgina Long AO and Dr. Cameron Ferris.
The entire event schedule is available here.
