SXSW

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a set of interactive, film, and music festivals and conferences that take place every spring in Austin, Texas. Originating as the Austin Battle of the Bands, SXSW officially began in 1987 and is centered on the downtown Austin Convention Center. Each of the three parts run relatively independently, with different start and end dates.

SXSW is one of the largest music festivals in the United States, with more than 1,400 performers playing dozens of venues around Austin over four days, in March. Though it is an industry-based event, SXSW Music links locally with events such as the annual Austin Music Awards show. SXSW is the highest revenue-producing special event for the Austin economy, with an estimated economic impact of at least $110 million in 2008.

In 1994, SXSW added film and interactive conferences. SXSW Film has become one of the world's premiere film festivals, focusing on new directing talent. Similarly, SXSW Interactive has attracted a strong following among web creators and entrepreneurs.

Since 2008, SXSW has substancially grown its interactive media - addressing as far reaching media as video novels and blogging. Music and film is still the primary focus of the festival, but a true cross section of artists are present from noveliststo painters.

"In its 22 years, SXSW has grown from a tiny music festival in the Texas capital into a massive, unavoidable media beast that reflects, discusses and showcases trends in culture and media but also often creates them." National Post, 3/13/08

SXSW has inspired similar festivals elsewhere, including North by Northeast (NXNE) in Toronto, a three-day live music festival and music conference held annually during the second weekend of June.

SXSW also offers a free musical sampler each year, distributed through BitTorrent. This has grown from the inclusion of 775 MP3 tracks in 2005 to 941 in 2006.

Website: South by Southwest (SXSW)