Getting ready for South by Southwest festival
Posted on May 27, 2025 by Admin
As South by Southwest festival gets ready to touch down in London for its debut European event, we take a look at what’s in store
Words Nicola Foley
Tech and arts festival South by Southwest (SXSW), usually held in Austin, Texas, is hosting its first European edition this June in London – and with a packed, multidisciplinary programme, it’s poised to be a major cultural moment for the UK this summer.
For the uninitiated, SXSW has become a force to be reckoned with since its launch in the late eighties, hosting directors including Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan, debuting chart-topping films and nurturing behind- and in-front-of-the-camera talent. It’s got a stellar reputation for sniffing out the next big thing and launching it into the stratosphere – be it Billie Eilish’s first gig or giving indie filmmaking duo the Duplass brothers their big break back in 2005.
The London edition aims to replicate this pedigree when it hits Shoreditch from 2 to 7 June. Billing itself as a ‘platform for innovation, discovery and creative convergence’, it follows the template set by its sister event and unites strands dedicated to film/TV and music, as well as talks spanning tech, creativity, media, sports, politics, society and sustainability.
There’s a special focus on AI at the conference, with debates around how AI will shape our lives in the future, a look at how it could serve as a medium for artistic legacy, as well as a close-up on generative AI in the newsroom. There’s also a talk on navigating AI for artists and creators – delving into copyright concerns in the AI age, plus showcases of the latest GenAI content creation innovations and next-wave tools.
In the film and TV conference strand, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. Check out Secure Stories: Privacy in the World of Filmmaking, which considers how to keep your stories safe in this era of smart devices and digital workflows. There’s also talks titled Directing the Invisible Art of Animation, Can Media & Entertainment Really Go Green, and Shot in a Day: a Look into Fast Production.
At the Screen Festival, meanwhile, expect fresh, engaging films from all around the world and debut screenings of both new and acclaimed series. The headliners include the premiere of Stans by director Steven Leckart, an Eminem-backed documentary about the world of superfans; Mike Flanagan’s The Life of Chuck; plus The Institute – a new horror series about kids with special abilities, based on the Stephen King novel.
Other headliner screenings include the premiere of Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf, a doc about trailblazing trans model and author Munroe Bergdorf. The festival will also present the first UK film retrospective of Grammy Award-winning artist and filmmaker Jenn Nkiru, including the London premiere of her latest work The Great North, co-produced by Factory International and Mothership.
There’ll be something interesting around every corner for the expected 20,000 attendees, from talks with stars like Gillian Anderson and Idris Elba to cutting-edge scientific discoveries, as well as 600+ gigs from established and emerging music artists.
Get all the details and sign up for a pass at sxswlondon.com
This story appears in the May/June 2025 issue of Definition
