The annual South by Southwest (SXSW) festival kicked off on Friday in Austin, Texas, bringing together tech-industry leaders, politicians and musicians. Here’s everything you need to know about the conference this year.
Founded in 1987, the SXSW conference lasts for 10 days. Programming includes several panels, film screenings, tech presentations and concerts. The 2017 festival runs from March 10 to March 19, and covers everything from the 2016 presidential election to the development of biomes.
Politics will come into play. The festival will not shy away from discussing the current political climate. Other events at this year’s festival include panel discussions on President Trump’s election, Trump’s ongoing war with the media and the impact of his presidency.
“There is definitely a degree of politics or political focus that may not have been there in previous years,” SXSW chief programming officer Hugh Forrest toldUSA Today.
Joe Biden will speak. The former Vice President will discuss his White House Cancer Moonshoot initiative to end cancer on March 12 at 3:30 p.m. Last year, President Barack Obama delivered the keynote address on using technology to aid the government.