SXSW for all

      Every year, South by Southwest offers free platinum badges to 10 Austin college students. Think of the platinum badge as Willy Wonka’s golden ticket.

SXSW is a Mecca for filmmakers, musicians and fans from all around the globe. A platinum badge gives direct access to all programs at the festival, costing $1,495. For 2015, the African American Resource Advisory Commission suggests an expansion of SXSW badge opportunities for East Austin youth. SXSW organizers will consider the expansion during the next month.

SXSW is an annual interactive festival which includes presentations and panels from the leading minds in emerging technology, networking events hosted by industry leaders and a lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community offers. The festival returns to Austin March 13-22.

Amin Simms, SXSW registrar, and Catlin Whitington, SXSW planner, presented an application for platinum badges at the commission meeting. Currently, SXSW focuses on reaching college students. They hope to find 10 of the best young, aspiring filmmakers with financial need. A month ago, SXSW requested time on the panel’s agenda to present its idea.

At the Nov. 5 meeting, Simms and Whitington requested help spreading information about the badge application. Simms and Whitington asked the commission to help them spread flyers around Austin college campuses because the commission focuses on providing opportunities for low-income African American students, and SXSW would like to extend this opportunity to them. But, commission member Nelson Linder questioned why college students were their only area of focus.

“What about East Austin high schoolers?” Linder asked.

The commission suggested expanding the program marketing to more students and doubling the number of passes.

According to SXSW demographics, only 1 percent of festival pass members are under 21, and 16 percent of attendees hold a household income of less than $50,000. Young, broke students make up a minority.

For more on SXSW demographics visit www.sxsw.com/marketing

Only 30 percent of East Austin residents are college graduates, and the average household income is $48,352, according to 2010 Census Data.

“Why are we focusing on college students only, when a majority of people interested in this industry don’t attend college? Entertainers and musicians are all around these areas we’re not reaching out to,” Linder said.

            According to pop culture website, Flavor Wire, several prominent film directors did not pursue a college education for film including, Quentin Tarantino and James Cameron.

Commission member Clifford Gillard urged Whitington and Simms to consider restructuring the audience for their application process. “We’re definitely open to working on something for that purpose. We currently offer multiple volunteer opportunities that are open to anyone, but we will consider expanding the platinum badge program,” Whitington said.

University of Texas freshman and East Austin native Wande Isola never attended the festival growing up. “No one from my high school even talked about badges for SXSW. It wasn’t a thing because it wasn’t really an option,” she said.

“At the end of the day, I could get at least a basic pass if I really, really wanted to, but some people in these areas really don’t have a chance to get one. These are legitimate fans and aspiring, creative people who would be greatly impacted from a firsthand experience at the festival,” Isola said.

Many previous festival attendees reap benefits from exposure to media industry workers during the festival. Texas Student Television producer Olivia Suarez attended the festival the past two years. “Going to SXSW is one of those opportunities you have to experience at least once, especially if you live in Austin,” Suarez said.

“SXSW has allowed me to meet so many other media professionals and learn more about working the field. That networking pays off so much, I think everyone that wants to go into this industry should at least get a fair opportunity to experience it,” Suarez said.

The commission did not offer Simms and Whitington a concrete restructure, but they said they do want to see change before they participate in their marketing. Simms and Whitington will return to the commission meeting with an update on possible program restructure on Dec. 3.