More Aussies win gongs at SXSW following record attendance
Following Melbourne singer-songwriter Angie McMahon picking up a Grulke Prize for creativity and potential, there were three more Australian wins at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Two were in the Interactive Innovation category.
Music & Audio Innovation, for changing the way we listen to, compose and enjoy music, was scooped by multi-award winning Melbourne start-up nura.
Its world-only nuraphone is a headphone that automatically learns the user’s’ hearing in 60 seconds, and adapts to give them a personalised sound.
For Innovation in Connecting People, the judging went to Living First Languages Digital Platform by The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation in Sydney.
Globally, there are over 370 million indigenous people across 90 countries. Every 14 days an Indigenous language disappears.
Within Australia alone, 50% of Indigenous languages are gone forever, and only 13 are considered strong and viable.
Eric Brace, ALNF director of programs states, “Receiving this international recognition is a win for First Languages in Australia, with the potential to impact individuals and communities across the globe.”
In the Film category, Queensland writer and filmmaker Josephine Mackerras’ female-led drama Alice took the SXSW Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature.
It’s about how Alice, whose happy life as wife and mother crumbles when she discovers her husband’s double life, leaving her alone to bring up a child while penniless.
Alice made its world premiere at SXSW.
This year’s SXSW set a new attendance record for Australia and New Zealand.
Nearly 1000 delegate registrants, band members, filmmakers, tech geniuses, start-ups and government officials from both countries attended.
Australia and NZ attended SXSW 2019 in Austin Texas March 8-17, scoring deals, prizes and huge press coverage.
54 Australian and eleven New Zealand artists were officially showcasing, “the largest number ever for the two countries”, according to the festival’s ANZ rep Phil Tripp.
62 Australian performances were at Australia House on Rainey Street in its second year sponsored by GDAY USA.
Sounds Australia staged its 10th Aussie BBQ and also facilitated state government shows as well as private parties and showcases by AU REVIEW, Secret Sounds and Laneway Festival.
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