SXSW 2024

A 38ª edição do SXSW está a poucos dias de sua abertura. E a organização divulgou mais nomes que estarão nos palcos do evento, que irá acontecer entre 08 e 16 de março em Austin. Entre os speakers revelados nesta terça-feira, 27, estão as atrizes Kirsten Dunst e Selena Gomez (que também é cantora e cofundadora da plataforma de saúde mental Wondermind); o ator e diretor brasileiro Wagner Moura; o ator, diretor e produtor Colman Domingo – que concorre ao Oscar na categoria Melhor Ator por “Rustin”; o cofundador e CEO do Patreon, Jack Conte; o apresentador Conan O'Brien; e o chairman e CEO da Dell Technologies, Michael Dell.

O SXSW vem anunciando os participantes em rodadas. Já foram apresentados os seguintes nomes: a atriz inglesa Daisy Ridley, a Rey de Star Wars; a ganense-canadense Joy Buolamwini, cientista da computação e autora do livro “Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines”; o CEO da Deezer, Jeronimo Folgueira; a dupla francesa de música eletrônica Justice, composta por Gaspard Augé e Xavier de Rosnay; o CEO do Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi; e a diretora sênior de global accessibility policy & initiatives da Apple, Sarah Herrlinger (leia mais aqui).

Numa rodada anterior, a organização divulgou como palestrantes: os atores e produtores Jane Fonda e Elijah Wood; os fundadores da banda The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach e Patrick Carney; o CEO da Delta Air Lines, Ed Bastian; o ex-jogador da NBA, medalhista olímpico e empresário Dwyane Wade (que faz parte do Basketball Hall of Fame); Dan Clancy, CEO da Twitch; Ray Kurzweil, futurista, escritor, pesquisador e AI Visionary do Google; os diretores e roteiristas Daniel Kwan e Daniel Scheinert (do premiado filme “Tudo em todo lugar ao mesmo tempo”); e Jeffrey Yohalem, diretor de narrativas da Ubisoft (mais detalhes aqui).

Wagner Moura, um dos brasileiros presentes no SXSW 2024, integra o painel sobre o filme “Civil War”, dirigido por Alex Garland e que fará sua première no festival. No elenco do longa está ainda Kirsten Durst.

Outros brasileiros que estarão no evento são Marcelo D2, Bia Ferreira, Dani Gurgel & Debora Gurgel, Nonô e Glue Trip. Eles são convidados da parte musical do evento.

Ainda sobre o Brasil, vale destacar que entre os finalistas do Innovation Awards deste ano está um projeto do instituto Cesar, do Recife, com a Lenovo. A marca e o centro de pesquisa concorrem com o trabalho "A.I. powered sign language translator" (veja aqui mais sobre o Innovation Awards e sobre o projeto brasileiro).

Além disso, o Itaú é, mais uma vez, um dos patrocinadores máster do evento, juntando-se ao grupo formado por Porsche, C4 Energy, Delta, Army e The Austin Chronicle.

Veja abaixo mais detalhes dos painéis divulgados nesta terça-feira e outros mais (em inglês):

• Privacy-in-Progress: Redefining the Boundaries of Being Online: For too long, we've accepted a world where tech companies go unchecked collecting, monitoring, and profiting from our personal information and activities. Then when that data is mishandled or used against us, we alone suffer the devastating consequences to our emotional well-being, financial security, or physical safety. While it can feel like this is just the price we pay to be online, as humans we deserve better, and as technologists we have the power to do better. In this Keynote Session, founder and CEO of Block Party and co-founder of Project Include Tracy Chou and Head of Product Design at Block Party Deonne Castaneda share where we are now and what more we can do to shape a privacy-forward, safer Internet together.

• Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web: The internet started as a platform that democratized creative distribution. You could upload your work to platforms like YouTube and immediately have it accessible to millions of people. After that came the "subscribe" button, which enabled creators to go beyond reach, build a following, and find their true fans that would support them to build a creative business. But with the rise of platform-focused algorithms (Facebook's ranking, TikTok's "for you" curation), creators cannot reach their following and true fans. This shift has had a devastating impact on creators' creativity and ability to support themselves doing what they love. In this Keynote Session, co-founder and CEO of Patreon Jack Conte will explain how the current internet algorithms are killing the traditional "follower" for creators, threatening their creative freedom and livelihoods; and advocate for the new spaces on the internet (like Patreon) where creators can always connect with their communities, create what they want, and control their own destinies.

• The Beautiful Exchange: Front Row with the Sing Sing Cast: In this session, Emmy Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe Award-nominated, and two-time Tony Award-nominated actor, playwright, and producer Colman Domingo, actor Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin, Academy Award-nominated actor Paul Raci, writer, director, performer, new works producer, Creative Executive of Edith Productions, and Artistic Director of the Magic Theatre in San Francisco Sean San José take us into the improbable alchemy of blending stage, screen, and unscripted moments into transcendent performances in their new film Sing Sing. Sing Sing will have its U.S. Premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival.

• Business, Life, and the Magic of Austin: A Conversation with Michael Dell: The entrepreneurial mindset - is it something you’re born with or something you can cultivate? After 40 years in business, Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies Michael Dell will be sharing his thoughts on risk taking, having the courage of your conviction, reinvention, and the magic of Austin. A technology optimist at heart, this session with Michael and founder and CEO of Moor Insights & Strategy Patrick Moorhead will also discuss today’s hottest tech trends, including the opportunities we have with AI and how it will transform industries.

• Conan O'Brien Must Go: Following his 28-year run as a host in late night, four-time Emmy Award-winning television host, comedian, writer, producer, and Host of the podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend Conan O'Brien is returning to television! In this session, join Conan and three-time Emmy Award-nominated actor, voice actor, comedian, writer, and producer Nick Kroll as they talk about Conan’s new travel series CONAN O’BRIEN MUST GO. Fans in the room will witness never-before-seen footage of the four-episode series featuring O’Brien visiting new friends met through his podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan, where he dives deep with listeners from across the country and the world.

• A Conversation with Civil War Filmmaker Alex Garland and Cast: On the heels of CIVIL WAR's world premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker and genre master Alex Garland (EX MACHINA, ANNIHILATION, 28 DAYS LATER) will participate in an in-depth conversation about the making of his latest adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that takes us through a near-future fractured America balanced on the razor's edge. Academy Award-nominated, four-time Golden Globe Award-nominated, and Emmy Award-nominated actor Kirsten Dunst, actor, director, and filmmaker Wagner Moura, and Golden Globe Award-nominated actor Cailee Spaeny will also be joining Alex to discuss the film.

• A Conversation with Sydney Sweeney: Two-time Emmy Award-nominated actress, producer, and founder of Fifty-Fifty Films Sydney Sweeney has become one of the most sought-after talents of her generation, captivating global audiences with her many buzz-worthy, critically acclaimed, and iconic roles. In this session, Sweeney will reflect on her career thus far, which has included roles as the standout character ‘Cassie’ in EUPHORIA and the seemingly woke millennial ‘Olivia’ who dished out side-eye and microaggressions every chance she had in THE WHITE LOTUS. Sweeney will also discuss her most recent project ANYONE BUT YOU, future projects IMMACULATE, EDEN, and ECHO VALLEY, and the inception of Sweeney’s production company, Fifty-Fifty Films.

• Good Humor: Lilly Singh on Her Entertainment-First Approach to Changing Culture: In this session, Emmy Award-winning entertainer, actress, writer and producer Lilly Singh will discuss how her company, Unicorn Island Productions, uses an entertainment-first approach to storytelling without compromising important social commentary that ignites impact. There is nothing funny about shame, but as the co-writer, producer and star of her debut film feature, DOIN' IT, Singh will share how she employs comedy to subvert cultural norms and expectations to change culture. Singh will also discuss her learnings from the independent filmmaking process on DOIN’ IT, which will have its World Premiere at this year’s SXSW Film & TV Festival.

• The International Touring Boom for Artists: How does the live entertainment industry keep up with the perceived 'overnight' success of rising artists? Does skyrocketing on streaming platforms and social channels equate to selling out massive venues? In this session, Talent Manager at Baron Management Jon Lieberberg and Senior Vice President, Live Nation Latin Touring Hans Schafer will dive into these topics while discussing how the globalization of music turned into some of the most successful global tours for artists like RBD, Karol G, Peso Pluma, Kali Uchis, and others from all over the world. Where did the demand come from, how does touring fill the demand for these artists, what's next, and what is fueling this momentum?

• KISS MY GRASS: Why Women of Color Deserve Better In Weed: This session will delve into the compelling narrative of Kiss My Grass, a gripping film executive produced by industry trailblazers Colin Kaepernick, Rosario Dawson, Mary Pryor, Luke Anderson, and Justin Benoliel. Through the lens of this documentary, you will embark on a journey that unveils the stark reality of persistent inequity within a rapidly expanding industry. Join founder and CEO of Josephine & Billie’s and Vice President of Supernova Women Whitney Beatty, actress, producer, activist, and founder of The Rio Dawn Foundation Rosario Dawson, founder of WeFancy and UrbanSocialista, co-founder of Cannaclusive, and Chief Marketing Officer for Tonic CBD and Tricolla Farms Mary Pryor, CEO of WISECO Hope Wiseman, and co-founder and Executive Director of Our Academy Hilary L. Yu as they explore the relentless battle against corruption and the daunting scarcity of support faced by Black women entrepreneurs. Their stories encapsulate the resilience and determination required to navigate a landscape fraught with obstacles. Prepare to be moved as you dive into the heart of their experiences, shedding light on the true cost of their relentless pursuit of success. Together, you will hear the behind the scenes real life narratives behind their storytelling in amplifying voices and sparking meaningful change.

• Mindfulness Over Perfection: Getting Real On Mental Health: It’s tempting to share only the highlight reel of our lives, but when we’re open about the difficult moments as well, we make it easier to tap into our emotions and create space for other people to process theirs, too. In this session, two-time Grammy Award-nominated artist and Golden Globe Award-nominated actor, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and co-founder of Wondermind Selena Gomez, licensed clinical psychologist, consultant, speaker, media personality, founder and CEO of Three Lemons and clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health Dr. Jessica Stern, co-founder and CEO of Wondermind Mandy Teefey, NFL Defensive Lineman for the New York Jets and co-founder and Board Chair of The Defensive Line Solomon Thomas, and licensed marriage and family therapist and Psychotherapist for the Detroit Pistons Dr. Corey Yeager will explore the importance of bringing mental health conversations into the light - not just for decreasing stigma and building awareness, but as a way to deal in hard times. This conversation will cover the importance of flexibility over strict routines in mental healthcare, dealing with negative self-talk, and getting real about when you’re not feeling OK.

• Vice President of Product Management of Smart Glasses at Meta Li-Chen Miller.