Top Picks at SXSW Sydney, According to Head of Programming Fenella Kernebone

Last year, Fenella Kernebone was integral to pulling off something extraordinary: the first-ever international edition of South by Southwest Sydney (SXSW Sydney), the multidisciplinary gathering that’s become synonymous with Austin, Texas, over the past four decades.

“It was an absolute blast,” says Kernebone. “I was exhausted by the end of it, of course. All of us were working really closely together with this one goal to put on a bloody awesome conference and event in our hemisphere.”

And now she’s doing it all again. As head of conference programming, Kernebone has helped shepherd SXSW Sydney’s conference component across four distinct pillars: music, screen, games and tech/innovation. This time around there are between 300 to 400 sessions, featuring more than 1000 speakers total.

This year’s SXSW Sydney runs from Monday October 14 to Sunday October 20, in a more concentrated precinct that houses the majority of conference sessions within ICC Sydney. There are workshop hubs nearby too, plus stages in Tumbalong Park and elsewhere. And even if you don’t get to see everything on your list, you can easily discover something else as an alternative.

“That’s a good problem to have,” Kernebone says. “It means that we’re not starved of choice: we have great thought leadership in this country, and industry experts that are willing to share their insights with us.”

Programming highlights this year include a short talks stage to host 15- or 30-minute sessions in addition to the usual hour-long ones, one-on-one mentoring sessions, a Tiktok takeover of the Old Clare Hotel and a podcast stage that features many rising stars of the medium. And that’s just scratching the surface. Kernebone shares a few top picks below to help you plan your sessions.

Lucy Lawless x Patricia Karvelas

Yes, Xena the Warrior Princess herself. New Zealand-born Lucy Lawless will have an intimate “fireside chat” with Patricia Karvelas, the host of Q&A and Radio National Breakfast. The subject will be Never Look Away, a documentary that Lawless has directed about the life and career of the late CNN photojournalist Margaret Moth. That movie will also have its Australian premiere at SXSW Sydney, after playing at both Sundance and SXSW Austin.

“I’m thrilled that she’s coming to share some of her insights, not only as an actor but as a director and producer,” says Kernebone.

AI-centric sessions of all kinds

It’s no shock that AI will be a major theme at SXSW Sydney, given the conference’s ongoing focus on tech and innovation. One highlight is Can AI Win a Court Case?, a workshop in which Australian law firm Lander & Rogers pits a human lawyer against artificial intelligence in front of a proper judge.

“Mock trials in the legal profession are quite common,” Kernebone says, “and my understanding is that they’re quite fun. That’s just one of many sessions talking to AI and how AI is going to impact us at work.”

Others include Avant-garde AI: Creative Ownership in the Second Wave and A New Playing Field: AI and The Future Of Sports, and there are many more.

Suzie Miller x Tim Minchin x Jonathan Kneebone

Best known for her play-turned-novel Prima Facie – most famous for its filmed West End run starring Killing Eve ’s Jodie Comer – British-Australian multi-hyphenate Suzie Miller will appear in a freewheeling three-way conversation called Breaking Convention: Truly Unnecessary or Absolutely Essential?. And like so many events at SXSW, this is a one-off exclusive to the festival.

“You’ll never see this session again,” says Kernebone. “She’s going to be on stage with Tim Minchin and moderator Jonathan Kneebone from the Glue Society. And of course, each of those talents have done exactly that: they’ve been ripping up the rulebook and walking their own paths through creativity.”

Grace Tame x Campbell Wilson

Grace Tame needs no introduction to Australian audiences. After appearing with fellow survivors to discuss solutions for child sexual abuse at last year’s SXSW Sydney, Tame is returning this year to lead a session of her own devising, in conversation with Monash University associate professor Campbell Wilson.

“Grace is a powerhouse and such an important thinker in Australia,” Kernebone says. “I have great admiration for what she’s got to say, and it was really wonderful to see that she’s happy to come back and curate a session. It’s about the tech arms race between child sex offenders and law enforcement – and it’s a chance for her to lead the conversation.”

John Safran

After taking on Phillip Morris and the vaping boom in his 2022 book Puff Piece, Australian journalist John Safran decided to head off to Kanye West’s house (or one of them, at least) to confront the celebrity rapper and producer about his antisemitic rhetoric. West wasn’t around, so Safran made himself at home and wrote about the experience in Squat, complete with his trademark mix of rule-breaking reportage and cracking wit. And he’ll talk all about it at SXSW Sydney.

“It’s an account of his squatting in [that] abandoned mansion,” says Kernebone. “He’ll talk about the experience of writing the book and what led to it, [including] his classic gonzo journalism and the original perspective that he offers.”

Just added to the growing list of world-class thinkers, innovators and creators appearing at the conference are Telstra CMO Brent Smart; global CEO of ad agency TBWA Troy Ruhanen; Oxford University marketing professor Felipe Thomaz; Attica’s Ben Shewry; Shark Tank judge Sabri Suby; Tourism Australia CMO Susan Coghill; Nicole Velik, founder of creative agency The Ideas Bodega; and 3AW Breakfast co-host Russel Howcroft.

SXSW Sydney takes place from October 14–20. Platinum badges are your master key, offering access to the full program including conference sessions, workshops, networking, industry parties, showcases and more across the entire event week. Or, for just a taste, take your pick of the conference’s music, games or screen program tracks with a wristband. Badges and wristbands are on sale now.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with SXSW Sydney.