SXSW Film Announces First Keynote & Wave of Sessions

Three. Two. One. Action! Today we're excited to reveal the initial wave of SXSW Film Conference programming for 2015.

With 30 sessions and more than 30 mentors confirmed thus far, the 2015 SXSW Film Conference is the premier place to learn, network and interact with the best and brightest in the film industry. Experts include this year's first Keynote, prolific indie filmmaker Mark Duplass, esteemed sound design company Skywalker Sound, award-winning producer Shekhar Kapur, digital distribution gurus VHX, acclaimed international actor Alfred Molina and many more.

Catch a glimpse of our 2015 programming below which includes the return of Film Keynotes, Featured Sessions, panels, Future15s and mentors. In addition, we’re psyched to share the Convergence Programming announced last week which covers the always popular Digital Domain, Future of TV track, Entertainment and Immersion sessions and more. Programming described as Convergence is accessible to more than one type of badge, which provides a bonus learning & networking opportunity that can only be found at SXSW. Plus, new for 2015, all films screening in the “24 Beats Per Second” category will be open to Music badgeholders starting Monday, March 16.

Remember, this announcement is just the tip of the iceberg! SXSW Film is set to ultimately feature over 150 informative and entertaining sessions. To attend the SXSW Film Conference, you must have a 2015 SXSW Film, Gold or Platinum badge. Register by 11:59pm CT on Friday, October 24 and save up to 30% off the walk-up rate.

Keynote Speaker

• Mark Duplass
  
  Mark Duplass is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, and actor who burst onto the indie scene with the Independent Spirit Award-nominated The Puffy Chair (written and directed along with his brother, Jay). Other acclaimed films written, directed and produced by the brothers, include Cyrus and Jeff, Who Lives at Home. They created the upcoming 2015 HBO series Togetherness, in which Mark also stars. He has produced a number of recent and upcoming indie films under the Duplass Brothers Productions banner, with notable titles such as Safety Not Guaranteed (in which he also starred), The Skeleton Twins (starring Bill Hader & Kristen Wiig), The Overnight (with Taylor Schilling, Adam Scott & Jason Schwartzman) and Adult Beginners (starring Nick Kroll and Rose Byrne). Mark has starred in a number of films including Your Sister's Sister (for which Mark won a Gotham Award), The One I Love and the upcoming film, Creep, which premiered at SXSW in 2014. Mark is a recurring actor on FOX's The Mindy Project and a regular on the hit FXX show, The League.
  

Featured Session

• A Conversation withShekhar Kapur
  
  Golden Globe-winning director Shekhar Kapur makes lush, international period films including Elizabeth, The Four Feathers, and Indian hits like Mr. India and Bandit Queen. Kapur's short film Passages is a part of the October 2009 film anthology New York, I Love You. He has been a judge on both India's Got Talent, and 1 Minute to Save the World, a competition for short films about climate change. His forthcoming film Paani– the hindi word for water – explores Mumbai's shrinking supply of water and its distributed underworld. Equally at home in Hollywood and Bollywood, he's also a comics mogul; in 2006 he co-founded Virgin Comics as a venue for turning Indian and Hindu myths into pop-culture icons. For the company, now reorganized as Liquid Comics, he co-created the series Ramayan 3392 A.D., based on the Ramayana. His newest Liquid Comics series is Devi.
  

Panels

• 10 Lessons From a Decade Watching Pixar Make Movies
  (Organized by Erica Milsom / Pixar Animation Studios)

• Acting & Performance: Directors Share Their POVs
  (Organized by Caroline O’Connor / Screen Actors Guild Foundation)

• Always Talk to Strangers: Telling True Stories
  (Organized by Alicia Van Couvering / Epic Magazine)

• Art of Amazing: 4K Film from Conception to Viewing
  (Organized by Mandy Cudahy / Sharp Electronics Marketing Corporation of America)

• DIY Theatrical Distribution for Independent Films
  (Organized by Annie Bush / Untitled Films)

• How "High Maintenance" is Redefining Storytelling
  (Organized by Jessica Casano-Antonellis / Vimeo)

• How New Technology is Changing War Zone Filmmaking
  (Organized by Molly Swenson / RYOT)

• Is This Normal? A Look at Success in Indie Film.
  (Organized by Travis Stevens / Snowfort Pictures Inc)

• Meet the Creative Game Changers
  (Organized by Alison Emilio / Creative Future)

• Secret is Out! Distributors Reveal Their Numbers
  (Organized by Mat Levy / Passion River Films)

• Setting the Tone: Evoking Emotion Through Sound
  (Organized by Amy Hale / Skywalker Sound)

• So You Want to Make a Midnight Movie
  (Organized by Roxanne Benjamin / Snoot Entertainment)

• Studio Star Power - How Casting Really Works
  (Organized by Rochelle Rose / Screen Actors Guild Foundation)

• USA/Europe Co-Production and Funding Opportunities
  (Organized by Holger Carlsson / European Film Commission)

• To Window Or Not To Window: Film Release Strategies
  (Organized by Diana Wollach / The Orchard)
  

Workshops

• Alfred Molina's Shakespeare Workshop for Everyone
  (Organized by Jesse Bush / Screen Actors Guild Foundation)

• The Film Score Workshop
  (Organized by Lucas Mayer / DaHouse Audio/DaFne Music)

• Finding Big Power in the Small Moments
  (Organized by Jeanie Finlay / Success Takes Courage ltd)

• Hacking Technology For Your Indie Film Release
  (Organized by Missy Laney / Sundance Institute)

• Pro Bono Legal Services for Filmmakers
  (Organized by Erik Metzger / Intel Corporation)

• Sound Designing Authenticity in Documentary
  (Organized by Jason & David Sussberg & Alvarado / Dogpatch Films)

• What’s the Value of Your Digital Rights?
  (Organized by Elisabeth Copper / ITVS Independent Television Service)
  

Future15s

• Breaking Up with TED
  (Organized by George Burroughs / The Brookings Institution)

• Good Guys Vs. Bad Guys
  (Organized by Jim Cummings / Ornana Films)

• VHS: Never Forget
  (Organized by Zack Carlson / Bleeding Skull)

• Why the Future of Film Depends on Social Media
  (Organized by Jenn Deering Davis / Union Metrics)
  

Meet Ups

• Latino Filmmaker Meetup & Quick Pitch
  (Organized by Liz Arreaga / Mercury Mambo)

• Stronger Together: The Film Fatales
  (Organized by Merete Mueller / Film Fatales)
  

Mentors:
Basil Tsiokos (Programmer Nantucket/Sundance/DocNYC)
Benjamin Braun (Submarine Entertainment)
Camille Bertrand (Wild Bunch)
Carl Spence (Seattle FF/Palm Springs FF)
Courtney Sexton (CNN Films)
Dan Fisher (Entertainment One)
Daniel Guando (Weinstein Co)
Dan Satorius (Satorius Law Firm PC)
David Hudson (Fandor)
David Magdael (David Magdael & Associates, Inc.)
David Reilly (BAMcinematek)
Deborah McIntosh (WME Entertainment)
Diego Marambio (INCAA)
Francois Morisset (CO/ DCM Film Distribution GmbH)
Greg Rhem (HBO)
Hugues Barbier (Ithaca International Fantastic Film Festival)
Jim Dobson (Indie PR)
Katie Krentz (Cartoon Network)
Kate Hurwitz (Cinetic Media)
Kristen Konvitz (Indiegogo)
Landon Zakheim (Sundance Institute/AFI Fest)
Linda Olszewski (ShortsHD/Shorts Intl)
Lois Vossen (Independent Lens)
Matt Grady (Factory 25)
Marian Koltai-Levine (PMKBNC)
Meghan Oliver (Paradigm Talent Agency)
Molly Thompson (A&E Television Networks)
Nicholas Ogiony (CAA)
Peter Goldwyn (Samuel Goldwyn Films)
Peter Trinh (ICM Partners)
Peter Van Steemburg (Magnolia Pictures)
Ryan Kampe (Visit Films)
Sean Berney (IFC Films)

Convergence Programming
The Film Conference is bolstered by Convergence Programming, which exists at the intersection of Music, Film and Interactive. Programming described as Convergence is accessible to more than one type of badge.

Featured Sessions
Friday, March 13 – Tuesday, March 17

• A Curious Mind: The Inspiration for a Creative Life
  Brian Grazer (Imagine Entertainment), Charles Fishman (The Big Thirst)

• Russell Brand Interview with Brian Solis
  Russell Brand (Comedian), Brian Solis (Altimeter Group)
  

Digital Domain
Saturday, March 14 – Tuesday, March 17
Open to Film, Interactive, Gold & Platinum badges

• 19Reinos - A Game of Thrones Immersive Experience
  Robert Pratten (Transmedia Storyteller), Purificación González (Canal+), Belen Santa-Olalla (Transmedia Storyteller)

• Doing It in Public: BLEs and Modern Storytelling
  Lisa Woods (thirteen23), Heath Pecorino (The Short Box), Sam Patteson (Rosetta Stone)

• Tool-Kit for Crafting an Interactive Documentary
  Cathy Fischer (ITVS), Mike Robbins (Helios Design Labs), Alex Wittholz (Helios Design Labs), Andrew Grace (Moon Winx Films)
  

Entertainment & Immersion
Friday, March 13 – Tuesday, March 17
Open to Film, Interactive, Gold & Platinum badges

• Analog & Digital: Synching an Engagement Campaign
  Rory Kennedy (Moxie Firecracker Films), Keven McAlester (Standard Pictures), Lauren Prestileo (American Experience — PBS), Molly Jacobs (American Experience — PBS)

• Astrophysics Goes Hollywood: Cinematic Science
  Frank Summers (Space Telescope Science Institute), Robert Hurt (NASA’s Spitzer Science Center/JPL-Caltech), Donna Cox (National Center for Supercomputing Applications)

• Beyond Live, Why the L+3 Social TV Convo Matters
  Natan Edelsburg (Sawhorse Media), Don Steele (Comedy Central), Michael Scogin (NBC Universal), Sabrina Caluori (HBO)

• Forget Screens: Immersive Content Lives Everywhere
  Bill Galusha (Autofuss / Bot & Dolly), Chad Hutson (Leviathan)

• Worlds Without Boundaries: Books, Games, Films
  James Frey (Full Fathom Five, LLC), John Hanke (Niantic Labs)
  

Future of TV
Monday, March 16 – Tuesday, March 17
Open to Music, Film, Interactive, Gold & Platinum badges

• The Art, Joy, & Power of Creating Musical Programs
  David Koelle (Charles River Analytics)

• Breaking the Fourth Wall in the Digital Age
  Saba Hamedy (LA Times), Jon Schnitzer (Brain Factory), Peter Girardi (Warner Bros), Marc Goodchild (Sync Screen), Julian McCrea (Portal Entertainment)

• A Drama Nirvana-How to Create a Multiplatform Hit
  Beth Hoppe (PBS), David Zucker (Scott Free Productions)

• Exploring Storytelling in the Digital Age
  Andrew Cochrane (Mirada)

• Finding a TV Partner in a Digital World
  Jill Burkhart (Epix HD), Cynthia Kane (Al Jazeera America), Jennie Moris (Participant Media), Lois Vossen (PBS)

• The Future of Concerts on TV
  Evan Haiman (HDNet LLC/AXS TV), Lucia McCalmont (HDNet LLC/AXS TV)

• Game of Thrones: Creating Immersive Entertainment
  Sabrina Caluori (HBO), Melissa Eccles (Elastic)

• Hyper-Reality TV & Online Video Are a Perfect Fit
  Morgan Spurlock (Warrior Poets), Ran Harnevo (AOL)

• Moving Beyond the Square Screen
  Steven Masur (CDAS Venture Law Group), Allen DeBevoise (Machinima), Vivian Rosenthal (Snaps), Josh Gertz (DAQRI)

• The New TV Star: How to Build an Audience Online
  Kelly Day (AwesomenessTV), Josh Ong (The Next Web), Tyler Oakley (Tyler Oakley), Tom Ryan (Pluto.TV)

• Online Success Without Cat Videos or Crotch Hits
  Zach Anner (Zach Anner Productions), Chris Demarais (Rooster Teeth Productions), Brandon Farmahini (Rooster Teeth Productions)

• Should You Develop Your Film Into a TV Series?
  Katie Krentz (Cartoon Network), Julia Pott (Animator/Filmmaker), Hannah Fidell (Filmmaker), Sarah- Violet Bliss (Filmmaker)

• Tech My Mind
  Ayori Selassie (salesforce.com), Shanice Johnson (Malakai Creative), Bill Duke ( Duke Media), Julie Barrio (Reality SF)

• What Serial Digital Fiction is Learning from TV
  Jon Nathanson (Self), Jerry Fan (Jukepop Serials), Michelle Miller (The Underwriting), Jennifer Lee (Plympton)

• Who's Going to Fund My Webseries?
  Jay Bushman (Independent), Marc Hofstatter (Indiegogo), Amy Dotson (IFP), Karim Ahmad (ITVS)
  

SXsports
Friday, March 13 – Sunday, March 15
Open to Film, Interactive, Gold & Platinum badges

• Athletes are Suddenly Funny: The Power of Comedy & Sports
  Patrick Starzan (Funny or Die)

• Battling Tradition to Re-Invent Youth Sports
  Matt Farrell (USA Swimming), Kurt Kamperman (US Tennis Association), Jeff Price (PGA of America)

• Beyond the Bar Graph: Insights Over Info
  Christopher Glode (Under Armour), Marybeth Thomson (MyFitnessPal)

• The Business of Preparing Potential NFL Draftees
  Jason Verrett (San Diego Chargers), Andy Staples (Sports Illustrated), CJ LaBoy (Relativity Sports), Mark Verstegen (EXOS)

• Competitive Advantage: Mental Health in Athletics
  Patrick Baillie (Consultant), Scott Goldman (University of Arizona), Doug Hankes (Auburn University), Carmen Tebbe (Oklahoma University)

• The Democratization of Sports Commentary Mary Pilon
  (The New York Times), Geoff Reiss (Twitter), Andre Pacheco (Second Mic)

• Does Playing Sports = Brain Damage?
  Jeffrey Kutcher (University of Michigan), Ben Utecht (Surrender the Game)

• Drones & the Texas 500: A Live Broadcast Challenge
  Jaime Carlin (Texas Motor Speedway), Benjamin Martin (Arch Aerial), Michael Rocha (Panasonic)

• The Evolution of Audio in the 21st Century
  Colin Cowherd (ESPN), Stephen A. Smith (ESPN), Traug Keller (ESPN)

• Filmmaking Cues from Top Sports Cinematographers
  Brian Schulz (Major League Baseball Productions), Skip Clark (FOX SPORTS), Al Francesco (NFL FILMS), John Tipton (HBO Sports)

• The Future of Doping and PEDs
  Jason Gay (Wall Street Journal), Matt Futterman (Wall Street Journal), Travis Tygart (US Anti-Doping Agency)

• Gameday 2025: What's In Your Living Room?
  Holly Anderson (Grantland), Jeff Beckham (Jeff Beckham), Spencer Hall (SB Nation), Mark Kramer (Pac-12 Networks)

• His & Hers Live Podcast
  Jemele Hill (ESPN), Michael Smith (ESPN)

• How the Data Era Will Build High Performing Humans
  Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers), Kelly McGonigal (Stanford University), Haile Owusu (Mashable)

• The In-Stadium Fan Experience in MLS
  Adrian Hanauer (Seattle Sounders), Robb Heineman (Sporting Kansas City), Merritt Paulson (Portland Timbers)

• Millennials & Sports: Reaching the Next Generation of Fans
  Rich Eisen (NFL Media), Brian Rolapp (National Football League), Perkins Miller (National Football League), Peter Kafka (Re/code)

• MLBAM & NASCAR: Sports and Technology Converge
  Bob Bowman (MLB Advanced Media), Brent Dewar (NASCAR)

• The Near-Future of Sports TV
  Marie Donoghue (ESPN), John Ourand (Sports Business Journal), Ron Wechsler (NBC Sports), Dan Shanoff (USA TODAY Sports)

• The New Cathedral: Sports Stadiums
  Brian Mirakian (Populous)

• Old Game, New Tricks: What's the Future of Golf?
  Shane Bacon (Back9Network), Charlie Kautz (TaylorMade-adidas), Andrew Kipper (Excel Sports Management), Ashley Mayo (Golf Digest)

• Out on the Field: LGBT Pro Athletes in 2015
  Jason Collins (Professional Athlete), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC), Mike Foss (USA TODAY Sports)

• Social Media Playbook: Activating Fans on Gameday
  Brian Cheek (Postano), Pat Donahue (Los Angeles Kings), Grace Hoy (Arizona State University), Meghan Ryan (Boston Red Sox)

• The Solid Verbal Live Podcast
  Ty Hildenbrandt (Solid Verbal Media), Dan Rubenstein (Solid Verbal Media)

• Sports Mega-Events: Do They Have a Future?
  Ben Carrington (The University of Texas), Piara Powar (FARE), Lilian Thuram (Former Professional Athlete), Dave Zirin (The Nation)

• Tech + Youth Sports = Universal Access
  Tom Farrey (Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program)

• Tech That's Changing Sports and Building Empathy
  Chris Kluwe (Professional Athlete)
  

Convergence Day
Tuesday, March 17
Open to Music, Film, Interactive, Gold & Platinum badges

• 3D Printing in the Movies
  David Leigh (Harvest Technologies)

• Databenders & Spoonbenders: Hacking Music & Design
  Michael Hendrix (IDEO)

• Data-Driven Strategy vs. Editorial Gut Instinct
  Elizabeth White (Time Inc.), Jessica Novak (Refinery29.com), Mike Hofman (Conde Nast)

• Live Music Streaming for Brands: Engagement
  Hank Neuberger (Springboard Productions), John Petrocelli (Bulldog Digital Media)

• Making Art While Entertaining the Internet
  Sean Carney (Social Mal Practice), Molly Soda (MollySoda.Biz), Yung Jake (Adult Swim), Jayson Musson (Salon94), Jillian Mayer (Borscht Corp)

• Making Music Physical Again
  Kate Stone (Novalia), Charlotte Brimner (Musician)

• Music as Personalized Medicine: Experiment at SXSW
  Daphne Zohar (PureTech Ventures)

• Music UX: Connecting Technology and Experience for Fans
  John Paul (Featuring. Me), James Apollo (Possible), Justin Evans (Mix Genius), Alaina Thetford (Train Case Management)

• Online Distribution: Set the trend!
  Pierre-Alexandre Labelle (Under The Milky Way), Emmanuel Cocq (European Commission Creative Europe MEDIA Programme), Daniela Elstner (Doc & Film International)

• Science of Social Funding: 247 Campaign Patterns
  Vann Alexandra Daly (Vann Alexandra), Missy Laney (Sundance Institute), Francis Pollara (KesselsKramer)

• Streams, Shuffles and Statutes: Congress & Music
  Chris Harrison (Pandora), Greg Barnes (Digital Media Association), Jason Chaffetz (U.S. House of Representatives), Elizabeth Frazee (TwinLogic Strategies)

• Web Influence on the Future of Music Documentaries
  Leah Horwitz (VH1), Lewis Bogach (CMT), Dave Sirulnick (MTV), Thomas Benski (Pulse Films/Vimeo on Demand)

• Why Top Artists Today Need Spy Tools
  Nico Sell (Wicker LLC)

Creep Q&A photo by Dustin Finkelstein / Getty Images
Mark Duplass photo by Jeff Vespa
Shekhar Kapur photo courtesy of Filmmaker