Renowned Director Paul Feig Leads New SXSW Sydney Conference, Screen & Games Announcement

SXSW Sydney’s line-up has expanded once again. Today, the event announced a new batch of names for its conference, screen, and games contingents. The latest announcement comes after the event added over 70 artists to its music festival line-up last week.

Leading the charge is the creator of TV cult favourite Freaks & Geeks and renowned film director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids). In addition to his speaking slot, Feig is set to receive the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Pioneer Award for his contributions to film and television culture.

Feig is one of the newly announced high-profile speakers set to appear at the industry part of the event, alongside bestselling author, entrepreneur, and former Chief Business Officer at Google, Mo Gawdat, Founder and CEO of Passes, Lucy Guo, software engineer and tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Google Maps, Lars Rasmussen, and Executive Editor of the newsroom at MIT Technology Review, Niall Firth.

Other speakers added to the SXSW bill include journalist and digital creator Tait McGregor, Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist and author Jess Hill, and marketing expert Neil Patel.

SXSW Sydney’s Screen Festival has also grown today, adding six new feature films: the Juliette Lewis-starring By Design, $POSITIONS, Dead Lover, Zodiac Killer Project, The Last Sacrifice, and Bokshi. Short films were announced today, too, including the BAFTA-nominated Stomach Bug and Chasing The Party.

With the conference and Screen Festival expanded, SXSW Sydney welcomes the first 40 games to feature on this year’s Games Festival showcase. These games will be playtested and demoed at the Games Festival’s home, ICC Sydney. Plus, over 30 speakers and mentors will share their expertise in games-focused panels, workshops, and mentoring sessions.

SXSW Sydney now features over 100 speakers, 50 conference sessions, 75 artists, 40 games, and 27 films, with more to be announced in the lead-up to this year’s event. The week-long festival will begin on Monday, 13 October, and wrap on Sunday, 19 October.

You can find out more about what’s on offer at this year’s event via the SXSW Sydney website.

Simon Cahill, Co-Managing Director of SXSW Sydney, said of today’s announcement: “We’re proud to see SXSW Sydney evolve into a uniquely powerful platform for ideas, connection and creative leadership across industries.

“With each wave of programming, we’re building a conversation about where the world is heading and who will lead it — bringing together thought-provoking ideas, emerging talent, new technologies and culture in motion.”

Luke Lancaster, the Head of Games & Screen at SXSW Sydney, said: “In proper cinematic tradition, the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival is dropping a teaser to kick things off. Take this little taste of films and speakers as a sign of things to come, as again we’ll revel in the bold, the weird and the unconventional in 2025. This year’s industry program is also one for the, hem hem, freaks and geeks, as we’re beyond excited to welcome Paul Feig to the stage.”

Fenella Kernebone, Head of SXSW Sydney’s Conference Program, added: “The conference program continues to evolve, featuring ambitious visionaries and industry-defining content.

“The calibre of speakers we're attracting reflects not just our growth, but the urgent need for the insights they bring… There is so much more to come, but the foundation is set for a week of conversation, networking, and actionable insights — and I cannot wait to see everyone at SXSW Sydney’s conference.”

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