South by Southwest Announces First 2027 Plans

Ever since the Paramount Theatre closed for its yearlong renovation, the big question has been, how will film festivals that have depended on the 1,200-capacity venue handle losing their biggest screen? Now South by Southwest has announced its solution, as well as big news about attending the 2027 festival (March 15-21).

Paramount red carpet premieres have been a constant part of the festival for decades, but with the theatre closed through summer of next year, SXSW has announced that it will be moving some of the biggest screenings over to ACL Live at the Moody Theater.

This is just the first big change to the festival footprint for 2027, which already had to respond to the demolition of the Austin Convention Center for a multi-year reconstruction process. This triggered a shift to what was dubbed the village model last year, with the three biggest components of the festival – Film & TV, Music, and Innovation – having their own self-contained areas featuring dedicated conference venues and clubhouses. With Film switching its marquee venue to ACL Live, the conference side of that strand will also move from its 2026 hub at Omni Austin Downtown to two of Austin’s most historic hotels, the Driskill and the Stephen F. Austin.

The moves don’t stop there. Music is shifting to a new clubhouse, checking out of the Downright Austin and unpacking at the Thompson Austin on San Jacinto. Along with the Westin Austin Downtown, it will also host Music conference panels and put attendees closer to venues on Sixth Street.

Next year will also see a new emphasis on an old aspect to SXSW as podcasting gets its own space in the programming. Although podcasts have been a feature of the fest for years, they’ve been components of the other Festivals. Now Podcast will join Film & TV, Innovation, Music, and the never-to-be-overlooked Comedy component as its own Festival, running March 17-20.

SXSW also announced two big changes to how people will be able to attend. The good news for locals is that buying a badge with an Austin zip code will induct you into the 512 Club, which will come with perks including discounted badges and access to a special locals-only lounge.

However, another badge change marks a radical shift from one SXSW tradition. Part of what made the festival distinctive was that all badges were basically created equal, but 2027 will see the introduction of the CxO Badge, available only to company founders and C-suite executives that will come with “special perks, access and programming built specifically [to] maximize their time at the event.” The badge will be available by application only.

South by Southwest 2027 will run March 15-21. Tickets and details at sxsw.com.

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