Off the back of the successful, star-studded Australian premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One this week, International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has begun the countdown until the inaugural South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney 2023 technology and innovation, games, music, screen and culture events. The SXSW Sydney 2023 events held at anchor venue ICC Sydney, over seven days and nights from 15–22 October 2023 include the SXSW Sydney Conference, featuring over 200 presentations, panels, workshops and mentor sessions with inspiring thinkers and leaders across multiple content pillars; the SXSW Sydney Tech & Innovation Expo showcasing innovative and emerging tech, entertainment and games companies from across the Asia-Pacific region, alongside the SXSW Sydney Pitch competition for startups and the SXSW Sydney Games Festival, which also features major Esports tournament Intel Extreme Masters. 

The SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival will spotlight local and international artists, while the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival’s program of film, TV, digital, XR and social content premieres will showcase screen culture’s diversity in the Asia Pacific and beyond within ICC Sydney’s Darling Harbour Theatre. Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said that Sydney owed its ability to secure significant events like SXSW Sydney to its world-class infrastructure – some of which with spectacular harbourside locations – and the highly skilled event professionals that deliver them.

“One of the Sydney CBD’s greatest strengths is its abundance of exceptional event venues such as ICC Sydney, University of Technology Sydney and Powerhouse which are conveniently located adjacent to active transport hubs, accommodation and dining precincts.” As a world-class major event venue and the festival hub, ICC Sydney will contribute immensely to the success of SXSW Sydney and the enjoyment of festivalgoers’ from around the world, helping further cement the Harbour City’s enviable reputation as the events and creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific,” Steve Cox said. Chosen as the SXSW Sydney anchor venue in recognition of its world-class facilities and central location, ICC Sydney continues to leverage its unparalleled global platform to support successful major events, including this week’s star-studded, sold-out delivery of the Australian Premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Darling Harbour was abuzz with excitement as fans flocked to the precinct to meet actors Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg and Pom Klementieff, as well as Director Christopher McQuarrie and 2,500 people walked the red carpet, as Tom Cruise set off a fireworks display over the waterfront, before watching a preview within ICC Sydney’s Darling Harbour Theatre.  

ICC Sydney CEO and Group Director – Convention Centres, ASM Global (APAC), Geoff Donaghy, said the venue’s well-resourced team of passionate professionals were ready to welcome the diverse, discerning patrons of SXSW Sydney. 

“With only three months to go, our team looks forward to delivering this special, future-focused event and reaffirming ICC Sydney as a powerhouse destination for major events. Beyond providing an extraordinary experience for the diversity of SXSW Sydney visitors, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate on delivering a positive legacy for years to come – from the economic benefit across our dynamic city to environmental sustainability solutions and facilitating connections into our local community – every focal area of our corporate social responsibility strategy will be brought to the fore through SXSW Sydney,” Geoff Donaghy said.

SXSW Sydney Chair and TEG CEO Geoff Jones said TEG and ICC Sydney had a shared track record of delivering large-scale entertainment events. 

“TEG has partnered with ICC Sydney to deliver hundreds of events over the years. We look forward to presenting SXSW Sydney as the best destination for culturally significant, high-energy events. Showcasing thought-provoking speakers and the newest in games and entertainment, SXSW Sydney is set to be a truly transformative event,” Mr Jones said.  Since its inception in 1987, South by Southwest (SXSW) has been held in Austin, Texas. It has been a convergence of film, music, education, and culture, a global destination for creative people to connect, collaborate and think outside the box. SXSW will expand into Sydney for the first time in October 2023, offering new experiences for visitors.