SXSW announces 2021 online plans, while still working on physical event

South by Southwest announced Tuesday that it will launch SXSW Online as part of its 2021 event, while still leaving open the possibility of in-person festival and conference activities.

“The digital experience will feature conference keynotes and sessions, screenings, showcases, networking, and exhibitions,” according to an announcement from the sprawling annual music, film and interactive conference and festivals. Organizers added that “SXSW is working with the City of Austin and public health authorities on plans for a 2021 physical event.”

The dates for SXSW Online will be March 16-20, 2021, prefaced by SXSW EDU Online (an education-focused branch of SXSW) on March 9-11. SXSW will accept “Panel Picker” proposals for those two events from Oct. 6-16.

The SXSW Music Festival will bypass its usual application process for 2021 and “will be curated by programming staff with priority given to showcase presenters and artists who were scheduled for the 2020 event,” according to the statement. Submissions for the SXSW Film Festival will be accepted from Oct. 6-28.

The city’s shutdown of SXSW in early March, a week before the event was scheduled to begin, was the first major sign of how deeply the coronavirus pandemic would have an impact on Austin.