South by Southwest announced on Tuesday that it is launching SXSW Online as a part of it's one-of-a-kind 2021 event. There is still a possibility for in-person festival and conference activities as well.
The announcement stated, "The digital experience will feature conference keynotes and sessions, screenings, showcases, networking, and exhibitions. SXSW is working with the City of Austin and public health authorities on plans for a 2021 physical event."
SXSW Online is scheduled to take place March 16th through March 20th of 2021. It will be prefaced by SXSW EDU Online, which is an education-focused branch of SXSW on March 9th through March 11th.
From October 6th to October 16th, SXSW will accept "Panel Picker" proposals for the two events.
The statement says that the festival will forego its usual application process for 2021 and "will be curated by programming staff with priority given to showcase presenters and artists who were scheduled for the 2020 event". SXSW Film Festival will accept submissions from October 6th through October 8th.
SXSW 2020 was canceled by the City of Austin just a week before the event was scheduled to take place in March and was the first major sign of the shutdowns to come.
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