It’s flattering that out of all the cities in the world South By Southwest (SXSW) chose Sydney as its only other location than its original home of Austin, Texas. The event that helps creative people achieve their goals started in 1987 in Texas and last year for the first time was held in a second location: Sydney.
This year SXSW Sydney is back, running from Monday, October 14 to Sunday, October 20 with over 1000 events and experiences and attendees from over 40 countries. Like last year, you can buy badges that’ll let you access certain types of events, wristbands that give you secondary access and single tickets that let you go on a certain day or to a specific event.
Choosing which SXSW Sydney pass is right for you depends on how much of it you want to see. For that it’s good to look at the highlights. Because let’s face it: looking at the entire schedule can be overwhelming. So I’ve done it for you and picked out what I think are the events and experiences that’ll be most in-demand. Here’s the rundown:
1. Influencers Are Out, Experts Are In: The House of Personal Branding
Held at UTS on Monday, October 14 from 3pm ‘til 4pm, Influencers Are Out, Experts Are In: The House of Personal Branding will teach you how to apply a five-step process to elevate your career and business. It answers the question: how do you build a personal brand that works and still feels authentic?
2. Diversifying Diversity: Beyond Buzzwords Towards Inclusive Innovation
In Diversifying Diversity: Beyond Buzzwords Towards Inclusive Innovation at ICC Sydney on Friday, October 18 from 10:30am to 11am, a world-leading, human-centred software engineering expert Rashina Hoda will inspire participants to rethink equity, diversity and inclusion. She’ll delve into the complex layers of intersectionality and the impact of compounding inequalities.
3. Courtney Act: Featured Session
Courtney Act is a global queer icon having made appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race and Celebrity Big Brother UK. Hear about the person behind the act, Shane Jenek, who was raised in Brisbane and realised early on he wasn’t like the other boys. The talk will be held Friday, October 18 from 2pm ‘til 3pm at ICC Sydney.
4. How to Seize Control of Your Workday
Who doesn’t like the thought of being more efficient in their workday? In How to Seize Control of Your Workday on Thursday, October 17 from 10am ‘til 11am at ICC Sydney, a panel of three will discuss how to maximise cognitive and emotional energy so you can work smarter, not harder. The panel features Lucas Finch, Xero’s global director of wellbeing, organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber and broadcaster, author and facilitator Lisa Leong.
5. Jorja Smith
Singer-songwriter Jorja Smith started writing music at age 11. Now 27, Smith has been nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist in 2019, performed on Drake’s More Life and Kendrick Lamar’s Black Panther soundtrack and won a Brit Critic’s Choice Award in 2018. Smith’s show on Tuesday, October 15 from 7:30pm ‘til 11pm at ICC Sydney is only open to SXSW Sydney badgeholders.
6. Games and Screen Awards
Games and Screen Awards will take over Fortress Sydney in Alienware Arena on Saturday, October 19 from 7:30pm. The night will honour the best filmmakers and game developers of 2024. See who gets crowned winner of awards like Best Feature Film, Best International Game and the coveted Game of the Year.
7. Shorts: Horny Shorts
Ten short films with a common theme of sex is what to expect from Shorts: Horny Shorts, held at Palace Central Cinemas on Tuesday, October 15 from 6:30pm ‘til 8:18pm. The films explore extra-marital adventures, anthropomorphic sex organs and pizza-sexual fetishes.
8. The Kid Laroi
Australia’s own The Kid Laroi is this year’s SXSW Sydney Music Keynote for 2024. The session will be at Darling Harbour Theatre on Saturday, October 19 — though no other details have been announced. Laroi will discuss his journey from growing up in Redfern, Sydney to global fame.
9. A New Playing Field: AI and the Future of Sports
What does the future of coaching look like? Can we ever truly master a skill? Can we transfer skills between humans and robots? These are a few questions A New Playing Field: AI and the Future of Sports will answer. The session will be held Monday, October 14 from 4pm ‘til 4:45pm.
