SXSW London Announces Exciting Themes and Notable Speakers Like Tom Quinn, Scott Z. Burns, GK Barry, Rose Wang from Bluesky, and Victor Riparbelli from Synthesia
SXSW London Plans Expansive Second Edition in June
SXSW London is set to expand its ambitions as a hub for creativity and technology during its second edition this June in the vibrant Shoreditch neighborhood. The UK offshoot of the renowned SXSW festival in Austin aims to foster cross-disciplinary conversations, drawing on its parent event’s 40-year legacy.
On Friday, the event unveiled a diverse conference program and a dynamic list of speakers, featuring prominent figures from film, television, technology, music, and sports. Notable speakers include Tom Quinn, founder of Neon; Jill Scott, former England soccer star; actor-producer Tye Sheridan; Mia Bays, Director of the BFI Film Fund; and Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s. Additionally, content creators GK Barry and Hannah Holland, CEO of digital talent agency HLD Talent, will also be present.
From the tech sector, speakers will include Rose Wang, COO of Bluesky; Victor Riparbelli, co-founder and CEO of the AI video platform Synthesia; and Nick Clegg, former Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, who now focuses on tech investment with Hiro Capital following his role at Facebook.
The program will explore six key themes: “AI as the New Power Structure,” “Living Longer, Living Better,” “Culture Can Save Humanity,” “Society Rewired,” which addresses the protection of democratic values amid misinformation, “Creativity in the Algorithmic Age,” and “Futurism in Practice,” focusing on the intersections of physical and digital spaces.
During a media event in London this week, Katy Arnander, Director of Programming for SXSW London, articulated the festival’s intent to establish its unique identity while honoring its Austin roots. “We haven’t transported the full Austin vibe to London… we’ve decided to create our own vibe here in Shoreditch,” she remarked.
Scheduled from June 1 to 6, SXSW London will take place across more than 20 venues in Shoreditch, a neighborhood characterized by its mix of history and technology, featuring both gentrified properties and social housing.
“SXSW London is centered around the idea of convergence, bringing together voices—even unexpected pairings—in ways that rarely happen elsewhere,” Arnander explained. “This year’s agenda takes that idea even further. From frontier technology and medical innovation to music, activism, and the creator economy, the program strikes a strong balance between tension and harmony, ultimately cultivating a space for healthy debate.”
The festival will also include the SXSW London Music Festival, showcasing over 200 artists, ranging from emerging talents to established performers like Tiwa Savage, ODUMODUBLVCK, Rachel Chinouriri, and Circa Waves.
Additionally, the SXSW London Screen Festival will unveil its lineup at the end of March, featuring recent films and series from around the globe, with contributions from Bays and Quinn.
SXSW’s inaugural edition in 2025 marked a significant milestone with over 25,000 attendees from more than 85 countries, showcasing 900 speakers across a multitude of sessions, performances, and screenings.
