SXSW London Set for June 2025

The first European edition of the renowned SXSW festival will launch in London from June 2-7, 2025, across 20 venues in the vibrant Shoreditch district. The event, which follows the successful Sydney spinoff, aims to attract 20,000 attendees and will feature a diverse program encompassing technology, music, film, and arts.

SXSW London is calling on UK artists to submit their work for consideration by the programming team through a platform launching this fall. The festival also plans to offer a post-event skills development program for aspiring creatives.

The event has already made several key hires, demonstrating their commitment to curating a high-quality experience. Anna Bogutskaya, with experience at the BFI, Edinburgh International Film Festival, and Fantastic Fest, joins as Head of Screen. Meanwhile, Beth Greenacre, curator of the David Bowie collection and contributor to numerous exhibitions, takes on the role of Visual Arts Advisor.

Clare Morris, former marketing lead for the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, will join SXSW London in September as Director of Marketing and Communications.

Randel Bryan, Managing Director of SXSW London, expressed excitement about the event's unique format: "A shorter timeframe compared to the Austin festival will allow SXSW London to run its conference, music, screen, and arts programs concurrently. This ensures accessibility to multiple programming formats and diverse networking opportunities for attendees from various industries. By bringing SXSW to the streets of Shoreditch, we will create a festival like no other, unfolding across incredible indoor spaces while showcasing creativity and artistic experiences in unique public spaces. This will capture the energy and excitement of the summer."

The original SXSW festival will take place in Austin, Texas, from March 10-15.