SXSW Kicks Off Today – Here’s What To Expect

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film and Festival kicks off today in Austin, Texas. The fourth keynote revealed was producer Christine Vachon, as well as the complete conference lineup including Conversations with Ryan Gosling, Sally Field, Amy Schumer, Jeff Nichols and Michael Shannon, Henry Rollins and more Convergence sessions.

2015 SXSW Film Festival

SXSW Film kicks off with the world premiere of “BRAND: A Second Coming” and runs through March 21 (click here for both screening and conference dates and times). “BRAND: A Second Coming” follows comedian/author Russell Brand’s evolution from addict and Hollywood star to unexpected political disruptor & newfound hero to the under-served. Brand is criticized for egomaniacal self-interest as he calls for revolution. The film is directed by Sara Hirsh Bordo.

Additional features, include the world premiere of Antoine Bardou-Jacquet’s “Moonwalkers.” With these additions, the 2015 SXSW Film Festival will screen a total of 150 features, consisting of 102 World Premieres, 14 North American Premieres and 11 U.S. Premieres with 62 first-time directors. 106 shorts will screen as part of 10 curated shorts programs. The 256 films were selected from a record number of overall submissions, nearly 7500, comprised of approximately 2426 features and 4935 shorts, with an overall increase of 13 percent over 2014.

SXSW Film Conference

In addition to nine full days of film screenings, the SXSW Film Conference (March 13 –17), will feature over 240 enlightening, inspirational and entertaining sessions including many designated as Convergence. There will more than 100 sessions for the 2015 Film Conference, including keynote speakers Ava DuVernay, Mark Duplass and RZA, and Conversations with Gina Prince-Bythewood and iJustine and Lizzie Velasquez. For complete Conference programming information on Digital Domain, Featured Sessions, Future15s, Future of TV, Keynotes, Meet the Insiders, Meet Ups, Mentors, Panels, SXsports and Workshops, browse the schedule . Curated by Film, Interactive and Music, Convergence Programming exists throughout the event, and features a range of topics that straddle the cultural and technological intersection at the heart of SXSW. All of these sessions, screenings and activities are open to more than one badge type, and encompass issues that are relevant and interesting to attendees from more than one of the core industry events (Interactive, Film and Music).

Speakers

Keynote Christine Vachon is an Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award winner who founded indie powerhouse Killer Films with partner Pamela Koffler in 1995. Over the past twenty years, the two have produced some of the most celebrated American indie features including Boys Don’t Cry (Academy Award Winner), Far From Heaven (nominated for 4 Academy Awards), One Hour Photo, I’m Not There, Hedwig And The Angry Inch, Happiness, Velvet Goldmine and Safe. In television, Vachon executive produced Mildred Pierce for HBO (winner of 5 Emmys and a Golden Globe).

Her most recent work includes Nasty Baby (Sundance 2015) and current Oscarnominee Still Alice. Additional Featured Sessions announced for the 2015 SXSW Film Conference include:

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  Join Ryan Gosling in discussion with Guillermo del Toro as he prepares for the release of his most recent project, Lost River. In a candid conversation, Gosling will discuss the transition from actor to filmmaker, the road to discovering his own unique style that is depicted onscreen, and the genesis of Lost River, a dark fairy tale set in a dying town. (Friday, March 13, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Room 16AB, Austin Convention Center)

• Two-time Academy Award-winner Sally Field will participate in a conversation about her extraordinary career spanning over 50 years. Through pivotal roles in films such as Norma Rae, Places in the Heart, Steel Magnolias, Mrs. Doubtfire, Lincoln and Hello, My Name Is Doris (world premiering at SXSW), Field has proven to be a force in the industry. The discussion will cover choice in roles and how she continues to find projects that inspire her. (Sunday, March 15, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Room 16AB, Austin Convention Center)

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  Writer/actress/producer Amy Schumer in a candid conversation with Entertainment Weekly’s Danielle Nussbaum. From her early days on the road as a stand-up to her transition from the stage to television as the creator of the Emmy-nominated Inside Amy Schumer—and fresh off a SXSW screening of her new film, Trainwreck — Amy will talk about working with Judd Apatow to bring her story to the screen. (Monday, March 16, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Room 16AB, Austin Convention Center

• Writer/director Jeff Nichols and actor Michael Shannon discuss their successful creative partnership, beginning with Shotgun Stories, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Austin and Seattle Film Festivals, and the International Jury Prize at the 2007 Viennale. The pair have since collaborated on Take Shelter and Mud. Take Shelter won the Critics Week Grand Prize and the SACD Award for Best Feature at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and also earned Nichols the Austin Film Award and Shannon the Best Actor Award from the Austin Film Critics Association. Mud was the recipient of the Film Independent Robert Altman Spirit Award and was one of the highest grossing independent films of 2013. (Saturday, March 14, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Room 16AB, Austin Convention Center)

• A Conversation with Henry Rollins Henry Rollins has been involved in music, radio, voice-over, film, scripted television, documentary, spoken word and print journalism for over three decades. He’s traveled to nearly 90 countries including, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran. He’s written and published over 25 books through his own publishing company, 2.13.61 Publications that he started in 1983. In his Conversation, he will talk about his work including his starring role in the film, He Never Died, a SXSW World Premiere. (Tuesday, March 17, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Room 18ABCD, Austin Convention Center)

SXSW Music Festival

The SXSW Music Festival is one of the largest, most influential, and most anticipated music events of the year, At SXSW 2014, more than 28,000 music industry professionals and musicians attended six nights of music performed by over 2,300 acts representing 57 foreign countries at over 100 venues in downtown Austin, Texas.

To see a complete list of 2015 artists, click here.

SXSW Music and Media Conference

The SXSW Music and Media Conference aims to educate and inspire musicians and those who work with them. Whether you’re a grizzled music biz vet or a wide-eyed newbie, you’ll find great discussions and unique opportunities to meet people who can help advance your ambitions. The 2015 dates for the Music Conference are March 17 – 22.

The SXSW Music Conference and Festival is announcing a Keynote Conversation with Snoop Dogg. The keynote takes place on Friday, March 20 at 11:00AM in Ballroom A of the the Austin Convention Center.

Multi-platinum artist and entertainment icon Snoop Dogg is at the forefront of pop culture with award-winning albums and songs, multiple films, lifestyle products, philanthropic efforts and digital ventures, including his YouTube original series “GGN News.” Snoop Dogg has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and received multiple GRAMMY® nominations.

Since 1993, he has released twelve albums and collaborated with artists across all genres. Snoop defines hip-hop history. He’s set records with his seminal album Doggystyle, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 800,000 copies in the first week. Snoop has continued to release chart-topping hits throughout his career.

Snoop Dogg released the first single, “Peaches N Cream,” from his new upcoming album BUSHearlier today. Click here to stream the new single. The new album, which was produced by Pharrell Williams, will be out on May 12 via Columbia Records.

The SXSW Music Keynote Conversation with Snoop Dogg is open to all Music and Platinum registrants and registered showcasing artists.

For on SXSW visit sxsw.com. For up to the minute action, follow them @sxsw.