Most of the speakers, films, and performers center around issues that President Barack Obama holds dear, including climate change, sustainable farming, and technology. Notable events surrounding those issues include numerous panels with expert moderators, as well as the domestic premiere of the Leonardo DiCaprio-produced documentary Before The Flood, which will be screened after a live conversation between the actor and internationally acclaimed climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe.
In addition to DiCaprio, the actors and showrunners from popular Netflix series Stranger Things will also make appearances at the festival, where they will screen three student film selections created for the White House Student Film Festival.
On the music front, The Lumineers and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings have been announced as performers for the festival, with the White House saying that more performers will be added.
As far as cool tech, perhaps the most innovative interactive exhibit taking place at the fest will be Through the Ages: President Obama celebrates America’s National Parks. A virtual reality experience that takes users on a journey with the president through Yosemite National Park, it serves as a thoroughly modern celebration of the National Park Service’s centennial this year.
Though tickets to the festival were distributed via a lottery, those who wish to view the events live can do so in multiple places, including on the official White House website and Facebook page, as well as on the official SXSW homepage.
Those who wish to learn more about each individual event taking place at SXSL can take a peek at the festival’s website.
