SQ News

Queensland Screen Industry Creatives Take On SXSW


1st row  L-R Kim Allom, Sue Swinburne, Ben Johnston. 2nd row L-R Dave Lowry, Alex Naghavi, Lucas Taylor

A delegation of 11 local screen creatives and startups are on their way to Austin, Texas, USA to showcase the creativity, ingenuity and innovation of the Queensland screen industry at the SXSW festival (South By South West) from March 8-17.

SXSW is an essential destination event for global professionals and creatives that celebrates the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries through sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities.

Screen Queensland (SQ) CEO Tracey Vieira, said the Queensland Government through SQ was proud to support the delegation and maximise opportunities to highlight the state’s international capability and build global connections.

“It’s vital for Queensland to have a presence at internationally-renowned events such as SXSW as this is where we continue to build our reputation as a global screen industry hot spot and build relationships that will continue to attract projects to the state and connect our businesses with international audiences and markets,”said Ms Vieira.

“This presence at SXSW will showcase Queensland as a place where world-class, cutting-edge screen content is being created and ingenious pathways to audiences, via technology and creative approaches, are being forged,” Ms Vieira said.

The Queensland delegation features a diverse mix of talented businesses who will participate in a range of events, panels and activations at the SXSW trade show and at Australia House, both presented by G’Day USA.

The Queensland delegation is comprised of:

  • Meg O’Connell from Ludo Studio, makers of the hit children’s animation Bluey, who will be connecting with audiences in their latest project CONTENT!
  • Kristen Souvlis and Amy Parry from Like a Photon Creative, innovators in interactive and long-form children’s content, who will showcase content from their animated feature series Tales from Sanctuary City and children’s storytelling app KinderGo
  • Kim Allom from the Blushbox Collective, an award-winner game developer who is addressing the negative portrayal of human relationships in video games
  • Scott Millar from BOP Industries, creative-tech and education company who will be demonstrating hologram technology creating bespoke holograms of delegates
  • Dave Lowry and Eoin McCarthy from Hydric Media, a digital product studio for the media and entertainment industry who will be using their facial recognition software to read moods and recommend music
  • Lucas Taylor, award-winning screenwriter and director whose virtual reality sci-fi feature Eleven, Eleven will have its world premiere at SXSW
  • Ben Johnston and Alex Naghavi from Josephmark, a venture design studio who will profile Hvnter their upcoming streaming platform for premium short-form content
  • Sue Swinburne from Griffith Film School, who will lead the delegation providing programming and coordination expertise and on the ground support throughout the festival.

L-R Meg O’Connell, Amy Parry, Scott Millar, Kristen Souvlis, Eoin McCarthy

The Queensland presence at SXSW is part of a strategic partnership with G’Day USA, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Austrade, Tourism Australia and Qantas that includes high profile opportunities for the state at key screen industry events in the United States of America.

Click here for more information on the Queensland screen industry RIPE program at SXSW.

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For SQ media enquiries, please contact:
Angela Samut | 07 3248 0500 | asamut@screenqueensland.com.au