Blog post written by – AEN Intern Christopher Frasquieri

It has arrived. SXSW officially starts on Friday, with its overwhelming list of activities and events happening throughout Austin. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve put together a list of our favorites:

1. Films for the Forest

The Rainforest Partnership is hosting its Eighth Annual Films for the Forest this year, aimed at bringing together children and adult filmmakers alike to contribute to rainforest conservation through the arts and foster broader civic engagement. More info>>

• Location: Rollins Theater at the Long Center
• Date & Time: Sunday, March 12th from 4:30pm to 7pm
• No badge needed!

2. Influencing Impact: Through Story and Innovation

Join Journalist Noor Tagouri as she speaks on how to discover one’s unique talents and passions, and how to change the world through social impact. Learn about how to create your personal impact on the world as Tagouri shares her own stories of struggle and success. More info>>

• Location: Austin Convention Center | Ballroom EFG
• Date & Time: Friday, March 10th at 11am-noon
• Badge: Film, Music, Interactive, Platinum Badges

3. SXSW Eco Startup Speed Pitches

Brought to you by the team at SXSW Eco, this showcase features companies from around the world displaying their entrepreneurial talents in the realm of energy, water, agriculture, reuse, and recycling. With companies like Biorealize, Solstice Initiative, and Farm from a Box, this event will display the most recent technological innovations meant to benefit the environment and society as a whole. More info>>

• Location: Hilton Austin Downtown | Salon D
• Date & Time: Friday, March 10th at 2pm -3pm
• Badge: Music, Film, Interactive, Platinum Badges

photo from SXSW Eco

4. Bill Nye: Science Guy SXSW Premiere

Through science, education, and advocacy Bill Nye The Science Guy inspires millennials to participate in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education. At this year’s SXSW, a new documentary will be unveiled, tracking the history of Bill Nye and detailing how he’s benefited the community… with science! Follow the Facebook event below for ticket sales.

• Location, Date, Time: Sunday, March 12th at 6:45pm | Vimeo Theater on Trinity
• Location, Date, Time: Tuesday, March 14th at 5:30pm | Alamo Drafthouse on Lamar
• Location, Date, Time: Wednesday, March 15th at 11am | Stateside Theater on Congress
• Event: here

5. Keynote Speaker: Vice President Joe Biden

Joe Biden will be joining us in Austin to speak on health and the Biden cancer initiative. In a collaborative effort among innovators, philanthropists, industry executives, celebrities and SXSW attendees, Biden will reflect on his leadership in the White House and describe innovative solutions in the fight against cancer. More info>>

• Location: Austin Convention Center | Ballroom EFG
• Date & Time: Sunday, March 12th at 3:30pm – 4:30pm
• Badge: Platinum, Interactive, Film, Music Badges

6. Wild by Wild Basin

Throughout SXSW, the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve will be hosting a series of guided hikes, lectures, and events for the whole family. No badge necessary! A full list of activities is available here>>

7. America’s Mayors: Holding the Line

Austin Mayor Steve Adler will be speaking on a panel, along with several other mayors from across the US. They’ll be talking about their roles in defending LGBT, immigrant, and civil rights in the face of changing policies at the state and federal levels of government. More info>>

• Location: Hilton Austin Downtown | Salon H
• Date & Time: Friday, March 10th from 5pm to 6pm
• Badge: Platinum and Interactive (priority), Film and Music (secondary)

8. SXSW Community Screenings: Faces of Austin

The Faces of Austin program highlights the diversity of Austin’s citizens and experiences of local Austinites. Created by local filmmakers, this is a great opportunity to get to know your community just a little bit better. More info>>

• Location: Austin Convention Center | Vimeo Theater
• Date & Time: Monday, March 13th at 3pm -4:30pm
• Badge: Free with Guest Pass

9. The Electoral College and the Future of Presidential Elections

This past presidential election brought about questions and concerns from both sides of the aisle about our Electoral College. This panel will dive deep into the history of the Electoral College, including its impact on recent elections, and the proposed National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) – an agreement that would award electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the overall popular vote. More info>>

• Location: Hilton Austin Downtown | Salon F
• Date & Time: March 13th at 9:30am-10:30am
• Badge: Platinum, Interactive, Film, Music, Artist Badges

10. Shut Up and Do Something

Movements of change begin with the ideas of one individual, but sometimes these great thoughts aren’t implemented and so nothing actually happens. This session will discuss the intention to do good, the action to do good, and how communities are impacted.  More info>>

• Location: JW Marriott | Room 201-202
• Date & Time: March 12th at 3:30pm-4:30pm
• Badge: Platinum, Interactive, Film, Music Badges

11. SXSW Social Good Hub

The Social Good Hub is a SXSW destination for attendees who want to increase their advocacy and impact, and contribute to a more empathetic and equitable society. An array of topics and themes will focus on the social role and responsibility designers, creatives, entrepreneurs and influencers have in our ever-evolving world. All Social Good Hub programming is curated and produced by the SXSW Eco team. More info>>

• Location: Techspace Austin
• Date & Time: Sunday, March 12th from 9am to 6pm and Monday, March 13th from 9am to 6:30pm
• Badge: All Badges (Platinum, Interactive, Film, Music)

photo from SXSW Eco

12. Make A Movement: Act-A-Thon for Civic Change

This hands-on session will be a collaboration between developers, designers, activists, and business leaders focusing on one thing — providing powerful passion and energy to build the framework for positive change. Meet up with like-minded individuals driven to action. More info>>

• Location: Hilton Austin Downtown | Salon F
• Date & Time: Monday, March 13th at 5pm-6pm
• Badge: Platinum, Interactive, Film, Music, Artist Badge

13. A Better Party: Presented by EnviroMedia

Enviromedia, since 1977, has been providing campaigns promoting the improvement of the environment, public health, and public safety through mobile marketing, social media, and social engagement. Take a break this weekend at the EnviroMedia office for free beer, kombucha, and live music.

• Location: Enviromedia | 2021 E. 5th St.
• Date & Time: Saturday, March 11th from 3pm-7pm
• RSVP: here

14. Smart Cities Day

Connected technologies are transforming cities. Through a series of lightning talks (no boring panels allowed), mayors, city technology officers, and entrepreneurs will showcase what they are doing, what works, what is needed and what is to come.

• Location: Choose San Antonio House | 75 ½ Rainey St.
• Date & Time: Sunday, March 12th at 11am-4pm
• No badge required
• RSVP: here

15. Austin CityUP Consortium: Smart Cities, Better Lives

Technology is monumental in the design, development, and improvement of future cities. Learn about how smart cities will address topics from transportation, to environmental quality, to health care.

• Location: JW Marriott Austin | Room 208
• Date & Time: Saturday, March 11th at 2pm-3pm
• RSVP: here
• Badge: Interactive, Platinum, Film, Music Badges