South By Southwest announces SXSW Virtual 2021
As COVID-19 number spike going into cold and flu season, many organizers are starting to make the tough call into canceling their 2021 event. Already, Envision Festival‘s organizers have decided to take a year off, telling their loyal attendees that they will see them in February 2022. Now it would appear that Austin’s month-long film, music, and tech conference and festival, South By Southwest (SXSW), is calling their March 2021 event. In lieu of the annual event that is always a huge boost for the local economy, drawing in millions from all over the globe, South By Southwest has announced SXSW Virtual.
Taking place from March 16-20, 2021, SXSW Virtual will be an entirely digital experience with keynotes, conference sessions, screenings, and showcases. SXSW festival representatives said they were “working with the City of Austin and public health authorities on plans for a 2021 physical event,” but that it was largely in question based on the current state of things and projections for next year.
The challenge of building a new future is one that we’re excited to tackle. This has been such a year of change and we, like the entire world, are reshaping our perspective on how we connect. We’re pleased to be working on SXSW Online as part of our program for 2021, and regardless of platform, we will continue to bring together the brightest minds from creative industries worldwide.“
Roland Swenson, CEO and Co-Founder of SXSW
Entries for the 2021 digital experience will open on Tuesday, October 6, with PanelPicker proposals for SXSW and SXSW EDU, as well as Film Festival submissions. To learn more, head to SXSW’s blog.
SXSW 2020 was one of the first high-profile events to face cancellation this year, at the start of the pandemic in March.
H/T: KVUE Austin.
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Information seeker. Dog lover. PhD drop out. College professor by day, EDM photographer by night.