Whether you're into tech, culture, gaming, music or entrepreneurship, there is something for everyone. To help you narrow down your list, we asked our UTS students interning with SXSW Sydney to share the sessions, events and highlights you don't want to miss.
5 can't-miss sessions for tech heads
Chosen by: Sophie Gnoukhanthone, Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at UTS. She is currently working as the Conference and Tech & Innovation intern at SXSW Sydney.
1. Tech and Innovation Showcase
If you love all things tech you don't want to miss out on this huge showcase of technology and innovation at Tumbalong Park. See innovation in action with demos including a visit from Spot the Robot Dog, check out the latest creations from the UTS Rocketry and UTS Motorsports teams, and hear from speakers about the future of technology and where the field is heading. Best of all, it's free – so dip in and out whenever you want.
Learn more about events at Tumbalong Park here.
Date: 14 – 18 October
Location: Tumbalong Park
2. Will generative AI empower education? Exploring the impact on student learning, assessment and wellbeing
Use of generative AI has exploded in recent years – what does this mean for the future of student learning and the value of university degrees? In this panel session, experts including UTS's Professor Amanda White discuss the impact of generative AI on student learning, the usefulness – or uselessness – of different approaches, what is or should be considered misconduct in a genAI age, and how we can use genAI to provide care and support to students.
Read more about this thought-provoking panel discussion here.
Date: 15 October 1:45 – 2:45pm
Location: International Convention Centre Sydney
3. Democracy under fire: The threat of deepfakes, disinformation and fake news on a global scale
50 countries, 2 billion voters – 2024 is a record-breaking year for elections, and democracy is under fire. Hear from leading experts including UTS's Marian-Andrei Rizoiu and Sophie Farthing as they unpack the current and future state of online security, risks and implications, and attempt to answer the nagging question of how can we build a trusting society for future generations when frauds and deep fakes are more rampant than ever?
Learn more about this session here.
Location: International Convention Centre Sydney
4. Demystifying Web3 and Crypto: Women take the blockchain leap
Interested in learning more about technologies like blockchain but always felt intimidated due to lack of knowledge or experience? If you're keen to learn more about things like Web3, crypto or DeFi but don't know where to begin, then look no further. This workshop is designed to encourage more women to participate in these cutting-edge fields, and the hosts are keen to share insights about how to get involved, so bring your questions.
Learn more about this workshop here.
Date: 15 October 1:30 – 3pm
Location: UTS House (Building 8)
5. A new playing field: AI and the future of sports
What does the future of coaching look like? Can we truly ever master a skill? Can we transfer skills between humans and robots? Hear from Dr Karlos Ishac and Dr Katia Bourahmoune of the UTS Robotics Institute about how they are combining sports science, generative AI and skill psychology to create a platform for the future training experience: ATLAS, the world’s first AI-powered virtual sports coach that can analyse training in real-time and provide instant review and feedback. Learn more about the future of sport and trial the ATLAS system for yourself at this session.
Learn more about this session here.
Date: 14 October 4 – 4:45pm
Location: UTS House (Building 8)
5 can't-miss sessions for culture buffs
Chosen by: Melody Qiao, Master of Business Administration at UTS. She is currently working as the Music and Partnerships intern at SXSW Sydney.
1. SXSW Sydney 2024 Music Festival
This year's festival features incredible talent from the APAC region and beyond, with artists from Colombia, India, Japan and more joining our local legends. The festival guarantees a diverse array of sounds and styles. Whether you're a music enthusiast eager to uncover the next big sensation or an industry professional searching for new talent, this week of music is an event you won't want to miss.
Check out the full music lineup here.
Date: 15 – 19 October
Location: 25 stages throughout Chippendale and surrounding areas, including UTS's The Underground, The Loft, Tumbalong Park, The Abercrombie Hotel, ICC Sydney and more.
2. SXSW Sydney 2024 Screen Festival
A handpicked array of screenings highlighting feature films, short films, episodic content, music videos, web shorts and XR experiences. This year’s Screen Festival Showcase doubles down on both genre filmmaking and short film collections to highlight the exceptional talent emerging from APAC and beyond. The program focuses on distinctive narrative and stylistic works, blending the trappings of horror, comedy and the surreal with the emotionally resonant, thoughtful and captivating.
Find your next favourite film and see all the showings on offer here.
Date: 14 – 20 October
Location: At various locations throughout the festival precinct. Film headliner sessions will be featured in the Darling Harbour theatre, offering a sneak peak of upcoming mainstream releases
3. The Kid LAROI
Multi-platinum and chart topping superstar The Kid LAROI is the music keynote speaker for 2024, in partnership with the LAROI Foundation. This keynote will feature an engaging conversation with the 21-year-old artist, who has transformed from a local talent in Redfern to a global sensation with billions of streams. The session promises insights into his journey, creative process and future aspirations, making it a must-attend for music fans and industry professionals alike. Afterwords, stick around to see a showcase of the top emerging First Nations talent.
Check out more about this keynote and artist showcase here.
Date: 19 October 2 – 5pm
Location: Tumbalong Park
4. Visualising a Creative Precinct
What will it take to create a world-class creative precinct in the heart of Sydney? Join industry leaders including James de Vries of de Luxe & Associates, Kate Spencer of Wildcard Collective, UTS's Alison Page, and Craig Allchin from Six Degrees Urban as they tackle this question in a thought-provoking discussion. 'Visualising a Creative Precinct', a photo essay by celebrated Australian photographer Stephen Dupont, will also premier at this event.
Learn more about this session here.
Date: 18 October 3:30– 5pm
Location: UTS House (Building 8)
5. Mentorship sessions
Are you looking forward to a career in music or film, but have questions about how to get started? Chat to industry professionals and learn from some of the top creative minds by booking a mentoring session with a music or screen industry expert.
Book a music mentoring session here.
Book a film mentoring session here.
Spots are first come, first serve and applications close 11 October, so don't delay.
Date: 16 – 18 October at various times
Location: Mentorship sessions are held at various locations around UTS campus and the SXSW Sydney festival precinct.
6 can't-miss sessions for gamers
Chosen by: Jesse Dixon, Bachelor of Communication at UTS. He is currently working as the Screen and Games Programming intern at SXSW Sydney.
1. Student Games Showcase
The best student games from across Australia and New Zealand will be featured here, making this the place to get hands-on with work from the next generation of game creators. Check out student works, connect with industry professionals and try something new – who knows, you might discover your next favourite game here.
Date: 17 October 4 – 8pm
Location: UTS Great Hall (Building 1)
2. SXSW Sydney Games Showcase
No visit to SXSW Sydney is complete without a visit to the Games Showcase. Featuring more than 120 games from both local and international developers, there's bound to be at least one game you haven't played before. The showcase spotlights new and emerging talent, giving developers the chance to share their work with a global audience and connect with industry professionals, media, creatives and fans.
Check out the entire games lineup here.
Date: 17 – 20 October 4 – 8pm
Location: UTS Great Hall (Building 1)
3. Made with pride: Games by Queer Creators
Come along to the second SXSW Sydney Queer Games Showcase, a celebration of creativity and diversity. You'll have a chance to play innovative and inspiring games from talented queer creators, highlighting unique perspectives in gameplay and storytelling. Support and celebrate the incredible work of these artists in an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Learn more about this session here.
Date: 18 October 10am – 2pm
Location: UTS Great Hall (Building 1)
4. Cowboy Night: Fistful of games
Dust off your hat, shine up your spurs and finally justify to yourself why you own those chaps. Play a range of Games Festival Showcase titles like 'Arco', 'Rose and Locket', 'Ricochet Rodeo' and 'Wild Bastards'. Then dive into the wonderfully bizarre collection of cowboy-themed SXSW Sydney Game Jam titles featuring creators from across the globe.
Saddle up and get learn more about this event here.
Date: 18 October 6 – 10pm
Location: Fortress Sydney, The Tavern
5. Acer Predator League Fortnite Competition
The Acer Predator League Academy will be crowning its first champion at Tumbalong Park at this free event. Two of the best high school teams in Australia and New Zealand will compete in the only Fortnite competition designed for school-aged students. In huge news, Team PWR and Fortnite icons Lachlan and Loserfruit will be onstage to provide the winning team with their trophy.
Date: 19 October (time TBA)
Location: Tumbalong Park
6. Games mentorship sessions
Want to learn more about how to take your game from prototype to finished product? Curious about going the self-publishing route and want to chat with someone who has been there before? Need advice on how to crowdfund your idea? Get answers to these questions and more by booking a mentoring session with a games industry expert.
Fill out this form here to book in a time. Don't delay – registration closes 9 October at 5pm.
Date: 18 October 10am – 3:30pm
Location: Mentorship sessions are held at various locations around UTS Building 1.
4 can't-miss sessions for entrepreneurs
Chosen by: Ben Goodman, Bachelor of Business. He is currently working as the Marketing intern at SXSW Sydney.
1. SXSW Sydney Pitch
If you love seeing an idea come to life, this is the session for you. Be prepared to watch startups from all around the world pitch their ideas to a table of panellists and investors. SXSW Sydney Pitch will showcase a variety of startups from industries like biotech, entertainment, manufacturing, commerce and AI pitching their answer to this year's theme 'What's Next?'. Winners from each pitch round will advance to the Grand Final, where the winner will earn the chance to present at SXSW Austin in 2025.
Learn more about SXSW Sydney Pitch here.
Date: Pitch Day 1 - 16 October; Pitch Day 2 - 17 October; Grand Final - 17 October
Location: TBD
2. Insider advice for entrepreneurs wanting to expand to the US
Have you ever wanted to learn more about how to launch and expand a company into the US market? This panel session showcases stories from investors and owners sharing their insights on the dos and don'ts of launching in the US. Attendees will walk away with insights and advice for how to raise funds from US investors, gain customers, overcome challenges unique to this marketplace, and harness the unique advantages companies have when expanding into the US.
Date: 16 October 11:30am – 12:30pm
Location: International Convention Centre Sydney
3. How these women earned their spot at the helm of the world's hottest tech unicorns
This highly informative session provides insights into how more women in leadership roles helps drive innovation, improve performance and build better teams. While women are underrepresented in the tech sector, female leaders at some unicorn companies are gaining momentum and reshaping how the VC ecosystem is run. Listen to leaders from Linktree, Deputy and more share their stories of how they are building teams with better success and how they are traversing this ever-changing space.
Learn more about this session here.
Date: 15 October 1:30-2:30pm
Location: International Convention Centre Sydney
4. Pioneers and prodigies: The next generation of venture capital
As the Australian venture capital ecosystem grows, the dynamic between veteran and emerging investors continues to shape its trajectory. This session explores how young investors and experienced investors can coexist and give each other space to influence and shape the future of venture capital investment in Australia.
Learn more about this session here.
Date: 16 October 10 – 11am
Location: International Convention Centre Sydney
These are just a few of the many things you can see and do at SXSW Sydney 2024, happening from 14-20 October. To find out more about sessions, speakers and all the exciting activities happening around the city, click here.