Register Now: GFEM Funder Delegation to the SXSW Interactive + Film Festivals

How do funders find the next big thing ─ whether it is specifically designed for the public good or requires transforming tools initially meant for commercial use?

Established in 1994, South by Southwest Interactive Festival (SXSWi) features five days of exciting programs and events. Attracting digital creatives as well as visionary technology entrepreneurs, the event celebrates the best minds and the brightest personalities of emerging technology. SXSWi particularly addresses the larger issues and long-term implications of tomorrow’s innovations today. SXSW.com

The range of presenters and the more than 180 panels represents the world's most creative web developers, designers, bloggers, wireless innovators, and new media entrepreneurs.

Keynote sessions include:

• Virginia Heffernan, "The Medium" columnist for The New York Times Magazine;
• Guy Kawasaki, the managing director of Garage Technology Ventures (an early-stage venture capital firm) interviewing Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine and author of the best-selling book The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More;
• James Powderly, an internationally-known artist, technologist and co-founder of the Graffiti Research Lab. As a research fellow at the Eyebeam R&D OpenLab, he helped to develop open source tools for graffiti writers and activists, such as LED Throwies and L.A.S.E.R. Tag.

Other presenters include:

• Jonathan Gosier, Appfrica.org, Appfrica: How Web Applications Are Helping Emerging Markets Grow;
• Latoya Peterson, racialicious.com, Can Social Media End Racism?;
• Steve Swedler, Gangplank, How Social Networks Are Killing the Revolution;
• Beth Kanter, Beth's Blog, Social Media Nonprofit ROI Poetry Slam;
• Dee Kapila, GirlStart, Gaming as a Gateway Drug: Getting Girls Interested in Technology;
• Tara Hunt, Citizen Agency, Making Whuffie: Raising Social Capital in Online Communities;
• Katrin Verclas, MobileActive.org, The Mobile Web for Good: Hype or Reality?;
• and many, many more.

"...with its overlapping film, music and interactive festivals, SXSW is a great place to sample the latest twists and fillips in Internet and computer culture, which at some point is almost certain to transform the film industry as profoundly as it has transformed the music industry.” --Salon, March 8, 2008

Taking place along-side South by Southwest Interactive is the SXSW Film Festival. Featuring panels, parties, filmmaker conversations and more, the main event is their world renowned film program. Bringing the very best of international independent cinema, expect to see emerging talent, essential docs, and cutting-edge storytelling in their most exciting lineup yet.

Our delegation offers the inside scoop on must-see films, panels, and presentations. GFEM delegates take part in a teleconference with the SXSW Festival programmers and staff in early March (date TBA) and have the chance to hear, first-hand, about the festival's offerings. You’ll be able to talk directly with staff about your own area of interest and hear about films and panels that meet your funding goals and program needs.

PASS OPTIONS • DELEGATION RESERVATIONS • ACCOMMODATIONS
There are a variety of pass options allowing you to attend either the Interactive, Film, or Music festivals, or all three.

Registration through February 13th: Film Badge - $400, Interactive Badge - $450, Music Badge - $650, or a combination of events: Platinum $1050 = Music + Film + Interactive; Gold $650 = Film + Interactive. (Rates after 2/13/09 are higher).

Click here to register.

GFEM IS HOLDING A LIMITED NUMBER OF HOTEL ROOMS FOR OUR FUNDER DELEGATION. Before you register for the festival(s), please reserve your space with the delegation by contacting Joy Moore at jnmoore@gfem.org for instructions.

GFEM DELEGATION OVERVIEW
March 12: GFEM Delegates’ Welcome Dinner
March 13: Opening Day; Programs start at 10am; Opening Night Film; Opening Night Parties
March 17: GFEM delegation concludes but Film Festival runs through March 21st