Featured Image: Peter Trimming/CC BY-SA 2.0
The first South by Southwest (SXSW) London is set to take place from June 2 to 7 next year in Shoreditch, it has been confirmed.
Organisers expect the festival to attract more than 20,000 attendees while data from market research company Nielsen predicts it to generate around £75m ($97m/€89m) in direct economic benefits. The financial figure is projected to increase by SXSW as a result of additional programmes for community and industry engagement.
SXSW London is the first European edition of SXSW which has also experienced success in the United States and Australia with its Austin and Sydney events.
“A shorter date format relative to SXSW in Austin will allow SXSW London to run its conference, music, screen and arts programmes at the same time, ensuring accessibility to multiple programming formats and diverse networking opportunities for attendees from different industries,” said SXSW London managing director Randel Bryan.
“Bringing SXSW to the streets of Shoreditch will allow us to create a festival like no other, one that unfolds across incredible indoor spaces whilst also showcasing creativity and artistic experiences in unique public spaces, allowing us to capture the energy and excitement of the summer.”
SXSW London is due to feature initiatives for workforce development including partnerships with independent and community-led venues throughout the festival’s Shoreditch campus.
Several new hires have been made to help the festival run successfully. Former Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity marketing lead Clare Morris is joining SXSW London in September as director of marketing and communications.
Anna Bogutskaya joins as head of screen after previously working with BFI and Edinburgh International Film Festival among others, while former curator of the David Bowie collection Beth Greenacre is the visual arts advisor.
SXSW in Austin faced an artist boycott earlier this year. The event organisers defended their association with several weapons companies and agencies that are tied to the US Department of Defense.
Organisation of the boycott was helped by the Austin for Palestine Coalition and saw at least 80 artists and panellists pull-out.
Share this