World News
South By Southwest Accepting Panelpicker Proposals, Music Festival Applications And Film Festival Submissions For 2022
South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals has launched its 2022 season with the opening of PanelPicker®programming proposals and Music Showcasing Artist applications for next year’s event. SXSW Film Festival Submissions open on August 24.
SXSW will accept proposals through PanelPicker, an online tool that allows the SXSW community to have a significant voice in programming conference activities through an open proposal and voting process, beginning today, Tuesday, June 29, and closing July 22, 2021. The SXSW community will be able to browse proposals, leave comments, and vote to help shape the event during Community Voting from August 10-26, 2021.
The SXSW Conference features 15 programming tracks, each featuring sessions that focus on a specific element of the track’s broad theme and with target audiences ranging from beginner-level to advanced. Tracks for 2022 will include: 2050, Advertising & Brand Experience, Civic Engagement, Climate Change, Culture, Design, Film & TV Industry, Future of Music, Game Industry, Health & MedTech, Making Film & Episodics, Media Industry, Startups, Tech Industry, and Transportation. New for 2022: SXSW will host industry-specific Summits which will include specialized multi-day content. The initial lineup of Summits include Fintech, Future of Work, Sports and XR with more to be announced soon.
The SXSW Music Festival is now accepting Showcasing Artist applications for 2022. The festival brings together artists, industry professionals, influencers and music lovers from around the world to make connections, elevate their careers, and celebrate the magic of live music with showcases from legendary performers and the most exciting new talent. The application period closes on Thursday, October 7, 2021. Apply early for a discounted rate.
The SXSW Film Festival will begin accepting Feature Film, Short Film, Episodic, Music Video, and XR Project submissions August 24, 2021 through October 19, 2021. The Texas High School Short category will accept submissions through December 14, 2021.
In addition to PanelPicker proposals for the SXSW Conference and applications for the Music Festival, SXSW is now accepting entries for the best digital creative work for the SXSW Innovation Awards, and the most inventive startups for SXSW Pitch.
SXSW 2022 registration and housing will open late summer. To register for the event, please visit sxsw.com/attend.
The 2021 SXSW Online Conference featured more than 449 sessions, with speakers including Willie Nelson, Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams with N.K. Jemisin, Charles Yu with Lisa Ling, Priya Parker with Anand Giridharadas, Queen Latifah, Taraji P. Henson, Barry Jenkins, Matthew McConaughey, Baratunde Thurston, Samantha Bee, Sir Richard Branson, Elizabeth Banks, Mayim Bialik, Mary J. Blige, James Cameron, David Dobrik, Melinda Gates, Lori Gottlieb, Bill Hader, Yuval Noah Harari, Noah Hawley, Walter Isaacson, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Carole King, Amy Klobuchar, Demi Lovato, Desus Nice and the Kid Mero, Alexis Ohanian, Jon Platt, Mark Rabkin, Amber Ruffin, The Russo Brothers, President George W. Bush, Indra Nooyi, Ava DuVernay, Chance the Rapper, Kenan Thompson, Werner Vogels, Mick Fleetwood, Ole Obermann, Don Lemon, Jemele Hill, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
The SXSW Online Music Festival showcased 289 artists featuring 202 international acts representing 38 countries. Highlights included A Place To Bury Strangers; Alice Skye; Alien Tango; Anna B Savage; Awich; Black Country, New Road; The Chats; Choses Sauvages; Clipping; Dingo Bells; DUCKWRTH; Francisca Valenzuela; Golden Dawn Arkestra; Grrrl Gang; HAEPAARY; Haru Nemuri; Indigo Sparke; Jade Jackson & Aubrie Sellers; Jambinai; Katy J Pearson; Kinky; Magdalena Bay; Onipa; Otoboke Beaver; Pillow Queens; Say Sue Me; Sinead O’Brien; Squid; Steady Holiday; TEKE :: TEKE; Theon Cross; Tuyo; Vocal Vidas; Walt Disco; Ximena Sariñana; and Yung Baby Tate.
For SXSW Online, the SXSW Film Festival screened 75 features, 84 Short Films including Music Videos, 5 Episodic Premieres, 6 Episodic Pilots, 20 Virtual Cinema projects, 14 Title Design entries, plus 30 Special Events. The Feature Film slate screened 57 World Premieres, 4 North American Premieres, one U.S. Premiere and 53 films from first-time filmmakers. Highlights included Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil; Alone Together; Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free; Alien on Stage; Delia Derbyshire: The Myths and the Legendary Tapes; Disintegration Loops; The End of Us; The Fallout; Gaia; Here Before; The Hunt for Planet B; Hysterical; Jakob’s Wife; Lily Topples the World; Luchadoras; Recovery; R#J; Sound of Violence; Sparks Brothers; Swan Song; United States vs. Reality Winter; Violet; When Claude Got Shot; Confronting a Serial Killer; Cruel Summer; The Girlfriend Experience; Made for Love; Sasquatch; and Them.
SXSW Online XR will once again bring the Austin experience into the virtual world showcasing live panels, Meet Ups, special events, the SXSW Film Festival Poster Gallery, and a selection of 360° videos from the Virtual Cinema program.
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music and comedy showcases, film screenings, exhibitions, professional development and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2022 will take place March 11 – 20, 2022. For more information on SXSW, please go here.
SXSW 2022 is sponsored by White Claw, Audible and The Austin Chronicle.
World News
Major step in malaria prevention as three West African countries roll out vaccine
In a significant step forward for malaria prevention in Africa, three countries—Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone—today launched a large-scale rollout of the life-saving malaria vaccine targeting millions of children across the three West African nations. The vaccine rollout, announced on World Malaria Day, seeks to further scale up vaccine deployment in the African region.
Today’s launch brings to eight the number of countries on the continent to offer the malaria vaccine as part of the childhood immunization programmes, extending access to more comprehensive malaria prevention. Several of the more than 30 countries in the African region that have expressed interest in the vaccine are scheduled to roll it out in the next year through support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as efforts continue to widen its deployment in the region in coordination with other prevention measures such as long-lasting insecticidal nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention.
Benin, which received 215 900 doses, has added the malaria vaccine to its Expanded Programme on Immunization. The malaria vaccine should be provided in a schedule of 4 doses in children from around 5 months of age.
“The introduction of the malaria vaccine in the Expanded Programme on Immunization for our children is a major step forward in the fight against this scourge. I would like to reassure that the malaria vaccines are safe and effective and contribute to the protection of our children against this serious and fatal diseases,” said Prof Benjamin Hounkpatin, Minister of Health of Benin.
In Liberia, the vaccine was launched in the southern Rivercess County and will be rolled out afterwards in five other counties which have high malaria burden. At least 45 000 children are expected to benefit from the 112 000 doses of the available vaccine.
“For far too long, malaria has stolen the laughter and dreams of our children. But today, with this vaccine and the unwavering commitment of our communities, healthcare workers and our partners, including Gavi, UNICEF and WHO, we break the chain. We have a powerful tool that will protect them from this devastating illness and related deaths, ensuring their right to health and a brighter future. Let’s end malaria in Liberia and pave the way for a healthier, more just society,” said Dr Louise Kpoto, Liberia’s Minister of Health.
Two safe and effective vaccines — RTS,S and R21 — recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), are a breakthrough for child health and malaria control. A pilot malaria vaccine programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reached over 2 million children from 2019 to 2023, showing a significant reduction in malaria illness and a 13% drop in overall child mortality and substantial reductions in hospitalizations.
In Sierra Leone, the first doses were administered to children at a health centre in Western Area Rural where the authorities kicked off the rollout of 550 000 vaccine doses. The vaccine will then be delivered in health facilities nationwide.
“With the new, safe and efficacious malaria vaccine, we now have an additional tool to fight this disease. In combination with insecticide-treated nets, effective diagnosis and treatment, and indoor spraying, no child should die from malaria infection,” said Dr Austin Demby, Minister of Health of Sierra Leone.
Malaria remains a huge health challenge in the African region, which is home to 11 countries that carry approximately 70% of the global burden of malaria. The region accounted for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of all malaria deaths in 2022, according to the World Malaria Report.
“The African region is taking positive steps in scaling up the rollout of the malaria vaccine – a game-changer in our fight against this deadly disease,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Working with our partners, we’re committed to supporting the ongoing efforts to protect, save the lives of young children and lower the malaria burden in the region.”
Aurelia Nguyen, Chief Programme Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, noted: “Today we celebrate more children gaining access to a new lifesaving tool to fight one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. This introduction of malaria vaccines into routine programmes in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone alongside other proven interventions will help save lives and offer relief to families, communities and hard-pressed health systems.”
Progress against malaria has stalled in these high-burden African countries since 2017 due to factors including climate change, humanitarian crises, low access to and insufficient quality of health services, gender-related barriers, biological threats such as insecticide and drug resistance and global economic crises. Fragile health systems and critical gaps in data and surveillance have compounded the challenge.
To put malaria progress back on track, WHO recommends robust commitment to malaria responses at all levels, particularly in high-burden countries; greater domestic and international funding; science and data-driven malaria responses; urgent action on the health impacts of climate change; harnessing research and innovation; as well as strong partnerships for coordinated responses. WHO is also calling attention to addressing delays in malaria programme implementation.
World News
Kid Cudi cancels tour after breaking foot at Coachella
Kid Cudi has been forced to cancel his tour after breaking his foot at Coachella over the weekend. During the fest’s Weekend Two on Sunday night, the rapper went to the hospital with a broken foot after jumping off the stage at the Sahara Tent. (more…)
World News
The Un Certain Regard Jury of the 77th Festival de Cannes
The Canadian actor, director, screenwriter and producer Xavier Dolan will be the President of the Un Certain Regard Jury of the 77th Festival de Cannes. He will be joined by French-Senegalese screenwriter and director Maïmouna Doucouré, Moroccan director, screenwriter and producer Asmae El Moudir, German-Luxembourg actress Vicky Krieps, and American film critic, director, and writer Todd McCarthy. They will be in charge of awarding prizes for the Un Certain Regard section, which showcases art and discovery films by young auteurs.
This year, 18 films have been selected, including 8 first films. The 2023 Un Certain Regard top prize went to director Molly Manning Walker’s debut feature How to Have Sex.
When the light breaks by Rúnar Rúnarsson will open the Un Certain Regard section on Wednesday May 15, 2024.
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World News
Kanye West reportedly planning to launch porn studio
World News
Additions to the selection of the 77th Festival de Cannes
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World News
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