It's a new year and, like years before, SXSW is looming just ahead! It's time to start planning for an incredible stretch of all night parties and frazzled, coffee-fueled early morning screenings at the Alamo Drafthouse. Since this blog is all about Austin film, I won't bore you by repeating information about SXSW that I'm sure you already know--the staggering amount of revenues it brings the city, the notoriously long list of talent the festival draws, etc. Instead, I'll tell you what SXSW is doing differently this year, and about a few new things that will be going on...

But, before we launch into SXSW, we have to talk about the 2009 Texas Hall of Fame Awards. As always, this is the black tie event that kicks off the film festival. The awards and dinner are held the night before the official start of SXSW (March 12) and honor folks from Texas that have significantly impacted the film community. This year's honorees include Catherine Hardewick, Larry Hagman, and Powers Boothe. Linda Gray, co-star of Dallas, will be there to hand off the award to Hagman as well. This event is sponsored by the Austin Film Society, so tickets and more info can be found on their website.

Now, back to SXSW...

First off, lets start by mentioning that all the trade shows will be kicking off a day earlier this year. This means more time to gather swag and make contacts--and what better way to network than this year's Block Party program. These are parties actually happening right on the trade show floor! It's not enough you get parties at the bars, after-parties, and parties in the tents adjoining the convention center. Now you get to party while you collect your freebies! Vendors will be dishing out booze as you 'pub crawl' your way from booth to booth.

Also, for those interested in Interactive events, the ScreenBurn Arcade and Flatstock poster shows will be a day longer--and joined by a new event: The Austin Record Convention and Texas Guitar Show. ScreenBurn will also include a new Game Design competition that should prove to be a great new launching point for local, independent game designers. That whole film/game mashup just keeps getting mashier!

Sound exhausting? Well, don't fret! SXSW has added some new amenities to help lower the wear and tear on your feet and get you around faster: Party shuttlebuses and free bicycle valet services to the Town Lake concerts, sponsored by Austin Bicycle Sport Shop.

So get your Gold Badge and have a blast! And while you're there, keep an eye out for the book speakers on the Day Stage; I will be speaking at SXSW in support of my new book Cinematic Game Secrets and since I am extremely nervous speaking in front of crowds, it should prove quite entertaining! Stay tuned to Austin Film Guerilla for our annual, complete coverage of SXSW Parties, how you can go, and our patented set of SXSW Tips that will get you to the folks you need to know. Cheers!

Posted by: Rich Newman
Contact Rich at info@austinfilmguerilla.com