Motion Picture Association Returns to SXSW with Robust Program of Panels on Film, TV Industry
MPA to Highlight the State of the Industry, Fighting Digital Piracy, and Production in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas – The Motion Picture Association (MPA) today announced it will return to the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) 2025 Conference & Festivals, an annual gathering that celebrates the convergence of culture, film, television, music, education, and technology. The MPA last participated at SXSW in 2014.
The MPA will host three panel discussions at SXSW focused on issues at the heart of film, television, and streaming: the state of the industry; the benefits of bringing film production to Texas and other states; and how digital piracy threatens the creative community – and the MPA’s global efforts to counter this threat.
“SXSW peers into the future of culture, tech, music, entertainment, and more – and for over a century, the film and television industry has helped envision, imagine, narrate, and shape that future for audiences around the world,” said Charles Rivkin, MPA Chairman and CEO. “The MPA is excited to spotlight key issues around policy, production, and piracy at a festival filled with people who love movies, believe in their power, and want to learn about the next big things coming their way.”
Listed chronologically, the MPA’s SXSW program will include:
Location, Location, Location: A Filmmaker’s Guide to Real-World Production – March 7, 2:30 – 3:30 pm CST
The MPA and industry experts will discuss the value and impact of film production on communities and economies in Texas and across the country. The panel will feature:
- Bryan Abrams, Editor-in-Chief of “The Credits,” MPA
- Adriana Cruz, Executive Director, Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office
- Paul Jensen, Producer, Lucky Number 8 Productions
- Steve Joyner, Production Designer
Coming Attractions: The State of Hollywood and the Future of Filmmaking – March 7, 4-5pm CST
MPA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin will lead a conversation with top executives from Amazon’s film studio about the state of the industry today, the latest updates from Washington DC, and how female-driven productions and programming are reimagining Hollywood storytelling. The panel will feature:
- Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon MGM Studios
- Courtenay Valenti, Head of Film, Streaming, and Theatrical, Amazon MGM Studios
How to Catch a Pirate: Behind the Scenes on the Fight Against Digital Piracy – March 9, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CDT
The MPA and industry experts will talk about how we combat the existential threat digital piracy poses to the film, TV, and streaming. The panel will feature:
- Ronan Corrigan, Director and Filmmaker
- Peter Kidd, Senior Corporate Counsel, Global Content Protection, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios
- Larissa Knapp, Executive Vice President and Content Protection Chief, MPA
- MacKenzie Sigalos, Tech Reporter, CNBC
View full programming details and timing here.
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About The Motion Picture Association
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) serves as the leading voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world. Its member studios are: Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO.
Media Contact
John Mercurio, Motion Picture Association
john_mercurio@motionpictures.org
About SXSW
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and individuals come together. SXSW 2025 will take place March 7–15 in Austin. Learn more at sxsw.com. To register for the event, please visit sxsw.com/attend. SXSW’s expansion into the Asia Pacific region, with SXSW Sydney starting in 2023 and Europe with SXSW London in 2025, provides new possibilities at this iconic experience. These events, each with their own distinct flavor, make South By an indispensable three-stop tour for the global creative community.