One of the world’s largest film, music and interactive events, South by Southwest (SXSW), traditionally held in Austin, Texas, will take place virtually this year March 16-20, 2021, featuring a variety of exclusive festival screenings, music showcases, keynotes, conference sessions, panels, networking and more.
The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) is proud to be represented by Director Tava Maloy Sofsky who will be a featured guest on the official SXSW panel “How Film Commissions Shape Creative Industry Policy”, presented as part of the Creative Industries Exhibition portion of the conference. Sofsky will appear alongside Stephanie Whallon (Director, Texas Film Commission), Bob Raines (Executive Director, Tennessee Entertainment Commission) and Kevin “KJ” Jennings (President, Association of Film Commissioners International) as they discuss the role state film commissions play in the growth of their local film industries and policy-making, including emergency management response during the COVID-19 pandemic and helping support the livelihoods of the creative communities they represent. This event is part of SXSW’s Panel Picker initiative, which earlier this year invited online audiences to vote to determine the most popular panels to be included in this year’s conference.
“During a time that has completely transformed the landscape of the entertainment industry, Oklahoma’s creative communities, including our local filmmakers and musicians, have been steadfast in their resolve to press forward with innovative, tenacious and pivotal work,” said Sofsky. “We’re eager to share more about our role and the support we’ve received from Oklahoma’s state and city leadership with the global audiences at this year’s SXSW, and we’re incredibly thankful to our colleagues at the Texas Film Commission for inviting us to participate in this event alongside such wonderful representation.”
Open to SXSW passholders only, the “How Film Commissions Shape Creative Industry Police” panel will stream on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at 10:15 a.m.
For more information about SXSW and to register to virtually attend, visit online.sxsw.com/event/sxsw-online.
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About Oklahoma Film + Music Office
Created in 1979, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma’s film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, visit okfilmmusic.org.
