ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
In its second year, SXSW Sydney Screen Festival returns to unveil the innovative, the weird, and the genre-defying in a showcase of feature films, shorts, music videos, episodic, and XR.

SXSW SYDNEY SCREEN SHOWCASE
SXSW Sydney 2024 Screen Festival showcase is a celebration of creativity, highlighting the best new works in mainstream and independent content from around the world in a series of screenings across the event.
Embracing the evolving landscape of the screen industry, our program looks towards the future, offering emerging and established creators a platform to present their work to a diverse audience of industry professionals, media, creatives, and cinephiles.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES: SCREEN SHOWCASE
In 2024, our goal is to spotlight bold, genre-defining original content across features, shorts, episodic projects, and music videos.
We enthusiastically invite submissions from emerging talents and established creators worldwide.

Feature Films
Narrative and documentary features with a runtime of 40 mins or more.

Short Films
Narrative and documentary shorts with a runtime of 40 mins or less

Episodic
Content designed for presentation in a multi-episode format, encompassing television, web shorts, docuseries and anthologies. There is no restriction on length.

Music Videos
Official and artist approved music videos. There is no restriction on the length.

SXSW SYDNEY XR SHOWCASE
Explore the convergence of technology, entertainment, and creativity at the SXSW Sydney XR Showcase.
This unique event delves into innovative ways of interacting with the world, blending the realms of Tech, Screen, Music, and Games.
Immersive yourself in a showcase of works that redefine our perception of reality, providing a glimpse into the limitless possibilities of the future.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES: XR SHOWCASE
In 2024, we are excited to extend the XR showcase to projects spanning all pillars: game, music, screen and tech.
We are on the lookout for immersive works that epitomize creativity, ingenuity,
and a forward-thinking approach to future technology, captivating and transporting audiences alike.

From newly developed games, screen arts and entertaining experiences to cutting-edge application in medical technology and training we welcome all projects that harness XR, MR and VR in novel and inventive ways, providing audiences with truly immersive encounters.
Our goal is to present our attendees with the pinnacle of XR, showcasing its diverse possibilities and the groundbreaking experiences it offers.

SXSW Sydney is accepting applications for immersive projects using virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR).
We welcome submissions for XR experiences that encompass both fiction and nonfiction work across the games, music, screen and tech industries, that are leveraging screen technology and the surrounding physical environment.

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS
Presented to the projects that most authentically embodies the essence of SXSW Sydney – showcasing bold, genre-defying, and inventive cinema,

SXSW Sydney presents the following awards within the Screen pilar:
• Best Feature
• Best Short Film
• Best Episodic
• Best Music Video
• Audience Award

The SXSW Sydney Screen Team will narrow down each screening types accepted works into a short list for award finalists.

AUDIENCE AWARD SXSW
Sydney badge holders and screen wristbands will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite project screened within the festival to win the SXSW Sydney Screen Audience Award. All accepted projects are eligible for the SXSW Sydney Screen Audience Award.

JUDGING PROCESS
• The SXSW Sydney Screen awards judging will take place prior to the festival from 3 – 17 September 2024.
• The SXSW Sydney judging panel will be made up of a selection of external Screen industry professionals.
• Films selected for competition will be notified by 2 September 2024
• If shortlisted for a jury prize an online screener of the film must be made available for jury members to view from 3 – 17 September 2024.

Rules & Terms

SXSW SYDNEY SCREEN SHOWCASE

SUBMISSION TIMELINE & KEYDATES
• Screen Showcase submissions open: 13.02.24 to 16.05.24
• Screen Showcase submissions assessed: March to August
• Submission notification deadline: 31.08.24
• Screen Showcase content due: 13.09.24
• SXSW Sydney: 14.10.24 to 20.10.24

APPLICANT
The Screen Showcase applicant should be a key member of the project's teams in either a director or producer role, or as part of a larger representative role.
This person may be contacted for further information or troubleshooting of the project during the selection process.

COMMUNICATION
• During the submission process all communication will be made with the applicant via email.
• Successful projects will be informed via email/ telephone by a member of the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival Programming team.
• SXSW Sydney uses the digital communication platform Loadin for all information requests and supply. Your main contact will be supplied with a Loadin login on acceptance.

SELECTION CRITERIA: FILMS, SHORT FILMS, AND EPISODICS
• Projects must have been completed after January 1, 2023.
• Projects should not have been publicly screened, broadcast, or distributed in NSW prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Projects should not be available online for streaming (either free or via an on-demand service) in Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• The premiere status of your project is an important factor in your submission. You will be asked to provide a premiere status in your application process. Please review the Premiere Status section below to ensure you select the correct position.

SELECTION CRITERIA: MUSIC VIDEOS
• Projects must have been completed in 2022, 2023 or be on track for completion by September 2024.
• Projects must be the official music video for the song by that artist. The artist and / or label must have approved its creation.
• There are no restrictions on the premiere status of the music video. It can have premiered online prior to the festival.

WORKS-IN-PROGRESS: FILMS, SHORT FILMS, MUSIC VIDEOS AND EPISODICS
• SXSW Sydney Screen accepts rough cuts or work-in-process submissions.
• If submitting a RC/WIP please provide an outline of the incomplete elements of your project.
• The SXSW Sydney Programming Team will only be able to watch one version of your project.

PREMIERE STATUS: FEATURE FILMS, SHORT FILMS AND EPISODICS
Within your application, please select your project's premiere status in accordance with the eligibility section.
A guide to SXSW Sydney premiere definitions can be found below.

WORLD PREMIERE
• Your project has not screened theatrically at a film festival or ticketed public theatrical exhibition in any country prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been broadcast on television or streamed (either free or via an on demand service) in any country prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been released via any home video or public distribution system (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc) in any country prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
• Your project has not screened theatrically at a film festival or ticketed public theatrical exhibition outside its country or countries of origin prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been broadcast on television or streamed (either free or via an on demand service) outside its country or countries of origin prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been released via any home video or public distribution system (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) outside its country or countries of origin prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
• Your project has not screened theatrically at a film festival or ticketed public theatrical exhibition in Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been broadcast on television or streamed (either free or via an on demand service) in Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been released via any home video or public distribution system (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.

NSW PREMIERE
• Your project has not screened theatrically at a film festival or ticketed public theatrical exhibition in NSW prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been broadcast on television or streamed (either free or via an on demand service) in NSW prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been released via any home video or public distribution system (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in NSW prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
NOT A PREMIERE
• Your project has screened theatrically in a film festival and/or a public theatrical exhibition prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has been broadcast on television or streamed prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has been released via home video or public distribution prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.

SCREENER FORMATS: FEATURE FILMS, SHORT FILMS, EPISODICS AND MUSIC VIDEOS
Screener links should be provided within your submission.
• SXSW Sydney is unable to accept screeners via email, or as physical media.
• SXSW Sydney accepts submissions that have been uploaded to any streaming platform that allows you to share a stream of your project. Upon submission please ensure: embedding is allowed, accurate passwords are provided, access to your project is available for our programming team until 1 September 2024.

CLASSIFICATION: FEATURE FILMS, SHORT FILMS, EPISODICS AND MUSIC VIDEOS
SXSW Sydney accepts both classified and unclassified content from the Australian Classification Board.

Unclassified submissions undergo assessment by our in-house programming team, which has completed content assessor training provided by the Australian Board of Classification.
The team assigns a likely classification for each piece of content within the festival. The likely classification decision is final, unless the content receives an official classification from the Australian Board of Classification.
All anticipated classifications are then submitted to the Australian Board of Classification as part of the overall festival application.

In the event that accepted content is deemed likely to be refused classification, the SXSW Sydney Screen Programming team will engage with creators to collaboratively find a solution. However, content that ultimately retains a refusal of classification will be removed from the program.
In some instances, the SXSW Sydney Screen Programming team may consult with external consultants on the likely classification of content.

TECH REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTED PROJECTS
Unless otherwise arranged all projects will be screened digitally.
• Projects must supply their content to our content management team as either: A DCP (Digital Cinema Package) or JPEG 2000 file.
• Your content must be supplied no later than close of business (5pm AEST) 12 September 2024.
• SXSW Sydney believes in the accessibility of cinema for all audiences and prefers your content to be supplied with the addition of a Closed Caption SRT file. If you are unable to supply a Closed Caption file, please reach out to our team at: screenfest@sxswsydney.com.
• All content will be tested by the SXSW Sydney Screen Technical Manager and/or a member of the cinema’s projection team. We are unfortunately unable to provide all creators with a technical test of their content prior to their screening.

SXSW SYDNEY XR SHOWCASE

SUBMISSION TIMELINE & KEYDATES
• XR Showcase submissions open: 13.02.24 to 16.05.24
• XR Showcase submissions assessed: March to August
• Submission notification deadline: 19.08.24
• Screen Showcase booth design due: 2.09.24
• SXSW Sydney: 14.10.24 to 20.10.24

APPLICANT
The XR Showcase applicant should be a key member of the project's development team with a strong understanding of the concept and technical aspects of the project. This person may be contacted for further information or troubleshooting of the project during the selection process.

COMMUNICATION
• During the submission process all communication will be made with the applicant via email.
• Successful projects will be informed via email/ telephone by a member of the SXSW Sydney Programming.
• SXSW Sydney uses the digital communication platform Loadin for all information requests and supply. Your main contact will be supplied with a Loadin login on acceptance.

SELECTION CRITERIA: XR SHOWCASE
Our goal is to curate an XR Showcase that captures a diverse array of industries leveraging VR / XR in innovative ways to influence our future.
From entertainment and gaming with a consumer focus to the cutting edge of educational and MediTech applications, we aim to spotlight the boundless potential of XR and its role in shaping the future.

Our only criteria are:
• Projects must be able to meet the in-festival requirements.
• Projects must have been completed in 2022, 2023, or currently unreleased.
• Projects must have secured permission from the rights holders of all copyrighted and/or trademarked content or materials included within the project.

PROJECT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• SXSW Sydney requires all XR projects are submitted as either:
- A link to a streamable 360 video version of your project
- A 2D playthrough
- A link to a downloadable 360 video version of your project or a 2D playthrough
- A link to stream or download of a five minuet playthrough of your project.

• Do not submit trailers as a representation of your project.
• Please ensure your links are working before you complete your submission application and inform the SXSW Sydney team if there are any changes to passwords.
• Please ensure your links are available until 1 September 2024.
• The SXSW Sydney programming team are only able to watch one version of your project.
• SXSW Sydney does accept work-in-progress and rough cuts. If submitting a WIP/RC please provide a supporting deck of your project with your submission.
• If your project is unable to be delivered as outlined above, please reach out to the SXSW Sydney team at: xr@sxswsydney.com.au

IN FESTIVAL REQUIREMENTS

XR SHOWCASE DETAILS
• The XR Showcase will take place within the SXSW Sydney Tech and Innovation Expo at the ICC Sydney.
• The Expo will run from Wednesday 16 – Saturday 19 October. Set up/ Bump in will take place on Tuesday October 15.
• Accepted XR Projects will be provided with a complimentary booth. Design details of the booth will be provided via Loadin from mid-August.
• Accepted XR Projects will be provided with two Industry badges allowing them access to SXSW Sydney events and Expo.

XR SHOWCASE STAFFING
• Accepted projects are responsible for staffing their booth through the setup, pack down and operating hours of the SXSW Sydney Tech and Innovation Expo.
• Projects are welcome to hire external staff to manage their booth during the festival. SXSW Sydney can assist in provided recommended suppliers but are unable to assist with associated costs.
• We recommend your on-site staff have a strong understanding of your project, technical training, and an ability to troubleshoot. We can help before the festival with a guide on what to provide for your team.

XR SHOWCASE TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT AND BOOTH DESIGN
• Accepted projects are required to provide all technical equipment needed to run their project. SXSW Sydney will provide:
- A booth within the XR Showcase
- 10-amp connection to your booth
- 1 table o 1 small rubbish bin
- Sanitizer wipes

• Projects are welcome and encouraged to dress and theme their booths. A booth design plan must be submitted for approval by Monday 2 September 2024. Please note that associated costs for booth customization are the responsibility of the project.
• SXSW Sydney can assist with providing a list of recommended suppliers to you prior to the festival.