The SXSW Conference and Festivals get underway this Friday, March 7, albeit with a smaller Canadian contingent.
Telefilm Canada is among the organizations that will have a reduced presence in Austin, TX, revealing late last month that vital sponsorship dollars had evaporated under the threat of U.S. tariffs that are now a reality.
The Crown agency has pressed pause on Canada House, a networking hub for producers, musicians, distributors and others looking to network, secure funding from foreign partners or solicit international sales.
“Telefilm Canada values its longstanding relationship with SXSW and we recognize its role in fostering innovation and supporting the creative sector,” the Crown agency said in an email to Broadcast Dialogue. “We believe it is essential for us to maintain a presence at this important festival.”
“Through the Canada House, Telefilm relies on partnerships to ensure financial viability. Unfortunately, due to the withdrawal of key financial partners, we have had to make the difficult decision to pause the Canada House, as we could not sustain the same level of investments,” the statement continued. “That said, Telefilm remains committed to championing Canadian talent and celebrating their achievements at SXSW. We will continue to be present, supporting Canadian teams whose films/projects are selected, and engaging with the industry at the Canadian Innovation Lounge.”
The Canadian Innovation Lounge showcases up to 12 Canadian companies, open to innovative products and experiences across XR, AI, gaming, the creator economy, music, virtual production and more. None of the Canadian companies participating that Broadcast Dialogue reached out to agreed to comment on their decision to maintain a presence at SXSW.
Among the organizations that have opted not to attend are the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA). CIMA President and CEO Andrew Cash told Billboard Canada that “the growing instability of everything in the United States right now, plus the high cost [of putting on events in the United States] and the low [Canadian] dollar — all of these things combined made it so we couldn’t feel confident or good about what we were getting ourselves into at this particular moment.”
Canadian films premiering at SXSW include Matt Johnson’s Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, Reza Dahya’s Boxcutter, Emma Higgins’ thriller Sweetness, and Annie St. Pierre documentary Le Plein potentiel.
