SXSW Sessions

2022 saw a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the country, and we’ve already seen one Texas lawmaker announce that he will introduce a bill to ban youth from attending drag shows next year. The heated political discourse has led to threats against Pride celebrations and drag shows around the world.

We know these debates are negatively impacting LGBTQ youth — and that access to affirming spaces and representation is crucial to mental health. Amid these relentless attacks on the LGBTQ community, top drag queens from RuPaul's Drag Race will join The Trevor Project to discuss drag’s historical roots and cultural significance today, why promoting self-expression is so important, and how we can all help create a more accepting world.

The ‘me too.’ Movement is one of the best examples of the power of a platform to drive equity and disruptive change. For innovators, creators, and business leaders alike, there are powerful learnings in why #MeToo went viral, how the me too. Movement has defined modern culture, and how brands can more deeply connect with communities through personal storytelling. Brands & companies, leaders, and influencers today all are expected to stand for and demonstrate intentional effort in leading change. This is easier said than done amid discomfort and even fear of moving forward imperfectly, making mistakes, and publicly being called to task. This discussion will inspire business leaders, storytellers and change makers to overcome “perfection paralysis” and move forward courageously in the direction of disruptive change for good.

Join Mike Jackson, Emmy® and Tony Award-winning producer and co-founder and managing partner of Get Lifted Film Co. for his ongoing conversation series Why Not Me? hosted at the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas. The series explores diversity in the media industry. Why Not Me? creates a platform for people of color and underrepresented communities across film, TV, theatre, books, and sports to share stories of breaking into the industry and making a lasting impact for generations to follow. Jackson grants opportunity to diverse filmmakers and casts through his acclaimed productions and has developed projects with major networks and studios featuring people of color in front of and behind the camera amid fascinating storylines, bringing elevated multicultural content to global audiences alongside Ty Stiklorius and EGOT-winner John Legend. Additional talent to be confirmed.

William Shatner has cultivated a career spanning over 60 years as an award-winning actor, director, producer, writer, recording artist, and horseman. He is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures and a major philanthropist. He has won Emmys and also won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of eccentric lawyer “Denny Crane” on both The Practice and Boston Legal. He has received four additional Emmy nominations as well as other Golden Globe and SAG Award nods.

Mr. Shatner currently is the host and executive producer of The UnXplained on The History Channel. From the producers of Ancient Aliens and The Curse of Oak Island, the one-hour, non-fiction series explores the world’s most fascinating, strange and inexplicable mysteries. Shatner continues to act, write, produce and direct while still making time to work with charities and further his passion in equestrian sports. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Sexual pleasure has been lurking in the shadows, hidden discretely in store aisles, lit up in neon on the side of highways, in glimpses on late-night TV, or relegated to the dark and dirty corners of the internet. The sex industry deserves innovation. Global sextech leader Bryony Cole set up Sextech School to do exactly that - bring founders, entrepreneurs, investors, job seekers and learners together in a six week online school to share the best new sextech ideas to transform them into viable businesses and create a vibrant, collaborative and sex positive community that is growing the sextech industry together.

With music consumption at an all-time high, a new songwriter economy has emerged, where music creators of all levels thrive and local repertoire reaches new fans across borders and genres. It's not just about writing hits but tapping into global opportunities that span various regions, art forms, and entertainment mediums, from TV/film, gaming, and Web3 to theater and production music. Music publishers will need to adapt their way of working to remain relevant, taking advantage of these new opportunities for their entire roster vs. focusing only on megastars and market share. Join Warner Chappell Music Co-Chair and CEO Guy Moot along with Grammy Award-winning songwriting/production duo Nova Wav, Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer and artist Murda Beatz, and Billboard Editorial Director Hannah Karp for a lively discussion about the future of music publishing and the new songwriter economy.

Music ownership has historically been concentrated in the hands of institutions and people with access. Despite streaming generating tens of billions of dollars for the music industry each year, music artists see very little of this money, largely due to signing away ownership early in their careers.

Join renowned DJ and CEO/co-founder of Royal Justin Blau to discuss how new technology is shifting power and control into the hands of artists and their fans. Unlike merch, vinyl, and other collectibles, a system of shared music ownership empowers artists toward greater creative freedom and gives fans a deeper connection to the music they love.

In her final year of competitive racing, Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete of all time, shared with the world that she was no longer competing for medals, but for a mission greater than any medal or podium: empowering women with better childcare access childcare. Her corporate sponsor Athleta, not only stood by her in this mission, but helped amplify it—co-creating a childcare grant to support other athlete mothers with childcare costs, matching the maternity benefit offered through Allyson’s community-centered footwear brand for and by women, Saysh. Working together to help build a program for on-site childcare at athletic events in partnership with the non-profit organization &Mother. Join Allyson for a conversation with ABC News Correspondent Gloria Riviera to explore the possibilities of modern brand partnerships that support athletes’ ambitions both on and off the track (or court or field), how Athleta is expanding its holistic approach to partnerships in 2023 and what’s next for the fierce advocate and entrepreneur Allyson Felix.

For nearly 70 years, Disney Parks has created happiness for millions through experiences that bring Disney’s beloved stories to life. Across its theme parks, hotels, cruises and adventures, Disney Parks has curated magical places around the world where a simple moment can become a treasured lifelong memory.     The ‘Art & Science’ of storytelling is the secret to how Disney amazes its Guests and delivers memorable experiences.  Disney Parks, Experiences & Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro will share how Disney’s storytelling techniques will build on its legacy of creativity and innovation for a world that can always use just a little more happiness.

In the early to mid 2000s, many of the pioneers of social media gathered at SXSW to brainstorm about the potentials and possibilities of these new platforms for communication. 15 years later, so much of the optimism of those early discussions has fallen by the wayside. So where do we go from here? Is it possible to build a new kind of social media that emphasizes our shared humanity as opposed to our divisions? In this In this very interactive session, attendees are invited to come to the microphone and offer their one minute solution on what a more functional system of scalable networked communication looks like.