SXSW Sessions SXSW

Following his 11-year run with “CONAN" on TBS, solidifying his 28-year career as an award-winning late-night host and one of the longest tenures in late night history, Conan O'Brien is returning to television! Join the beloved comedian as he talks about his new travel series CONAN O’BRIEN MUST GO. Fans in the room will witness never-before-seen footage of the four-episode series featuring O’Brien visiting new friends met through his podcast, "Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan," where he dives deep with listeners from across the country and the world. Produced by Conaco, CONAN O'BRIEN MUST GO is executive produced by O’Brien and Jeff Ross.

The Hollywood Reporter will host a live "Office Space" reunion event at SXSW to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mike Judge's cult-comedy classic. Judge, who wrote and directed the 1999 movie (which was filmed in Austin), will appear alongside cast-members for a lively, fan-driven conversation with Hollywood Reporter Contributing Editor, Stacey Wilson Hunt.

Two-time Emmy-nominated actress and producer Sydney Sweeney has become one of the most sought-after talents of her generation, captivating global audiences with her many buzz-worthy, critically acclaimed, and iconic roles.

Sweeney can most recently be seen starring opposite Glen Powell in Will Gluck’s R-rated romantic comedy ANYONE BUT YOU, which broke box office records for the 2023 holiday season. She also recently made her highly anticipated debut as ‘Julia Carpenter’ (aka Spider Woman) in Sony’s Marvel universe alongside Dakota Johnson with the release of MADAME WEB. Sweeney will next be seen starring in the psychological horror film IMMACULATE for Black Bear Pictures, which she developed alongside producer David Bernad, following their highly successful collaboration on WHITE LOTUS.

Now streaming on MAX, Sweeney’s film REALITY marked her international film debut at the 2023 Berlinale Film Festival with the film’s world premiere, where she played former US Airforce Translator and whistleblower Reality Winner. She is currently in production filming an upcoming survival thriller ‘EDEN.’ Directed by Ron Howard, Sweeney will star in this film alongside Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, and Jude Law. Sweeney recently started production on the Apple Original Films’ thriller ECHO VALLEY where she will also star opposite Julianne Moore and Domhnall Gleeson.

As the standout character ‘Cassie’ in HBO’s EUPHORIA, Sweeney’s exceptional work in Season 2 captured the attention of viewers, earning her a 2022 Emmy nomination for her performance in the category of “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.” Prior to the second season of EUPHORIA, Sydney’s name was on everyone’s lips due to her turn as the seemingly woke millennial ‘Olivia’ who dished out side-eye and microaggressions every chance she had in HBO’s THE WHITE LOTUS.

The inception of Sweeney’s production company, Fifty-Fifty Films, came from the desire to reclaim professional autonomy by identifying and giving wind to projects she finds interesting, challenging, and relevant. Partnering with Jonathan Davino in 2019, Fifty-Fifty Films continues to remain focused on building impactful projects that are inclusive and purposeful. Currently in development as starring vehicles are THE PLAYER’S TABLE with Fifth Season, THE REGISTRATION for Sony Pictures, based on Madison Lawson’s novel, with Fuller Media and THE CARETAKER for Universal Pictures, alongside Michael Bay and Brad Fuller for Platinum Dunes.

From AI-powered composition and artwork creation to voiceprints and curated playlists, AI is changing the way artists create and market their music, and engage with their fans. With these new tools comes a new set of challenges and responsibilities for the music industry. Artists can harness the power of AI but it is the responsibility of companies across the industry to ensure that human artistry is supported, not replaced. Panelists will present principles for companies to consider as artists engage with AI opportunities as well as results & lessons learned from early AI pilot programs.



 

What if you could see the world like a futurist and be a non-obvious thinker? After exploring the front lines of world changing trends and writing about them for more than a decade, this session will be the exclusive premiere of the new book, Non-Obvious Thinking (coming September 2024) from #1 Wall Street Journal best-selling author and founder and Chief Trend Curator at The Non-Obvious Company Rohit Bhargava.
Going beyond offering the usual secretive futurist's tour of emerging trends and scenarios, this session will reveal what it takes to identify trends for yourself and isolate patterns the way futurists do. Based on his own successful work teaching tens of thousands of professionals how to be non-obvious thinkers who anticipate the future, this talk will open the Non-Obvious playbook and reveal exactly how to curate and leverage trends for yourself to help you win in 2025 and beyond.

How can brands and leaders tell stories that inspire human connection and positive action, especially in these anxious and uncertain times? Cheryl Miller Houser offers tactics grounded in the science and craft of storytelling to make people feel part of something bigger than themselves and move them to laugh, to cry, to propel change. Participants from all sectors can apply these tactics to drive success in building brand loyalty, marketing, galvanizing employees, creating community, fundraising and more.