Announcing Film Lineup, New Performances, Wellness Events, and More

SXSW EDU 2020 Films

We are ecstatic to share the initial film lineup presented by EdChoice, two new performances, competition coaches, and a plethora of unique networking opportunities including wellness events, pop-up dinners, and walking tours. Plus, we've revealed book signings with 26 speakers including several keynote and featured speakers.

Films

SXSW EDU 2020 marks the eighth year of film programming at the conference and festival. Each film announced correlates to one of the programming tracks for SXSW EDU 2020, making the program especially diverse. These powerful films allow space to open up a discourse. Several filmmakers and film subjects will be at the event for post-screening Q&As to continue the conversation around their films.

Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (if you're a girl) – An Oscar-nominated film for Documentary (Short Subject). A story of young Afghan girls learning to read, write - and skateboard - in Kabul.

We Are The Radical Monarchs – Meet the Radical Monarchs, a group of young girls of color at the front lines of social justice. Set in Oakland, the film documents the journey of the group as they form, grow, and earn badges for units like “Black Lives Matter” and “Radical Beauty.”

Join Director and Producer Linda Goldstein Knowlton, and Radical Monarchs' CEO of Programs and Communications Anayvette Martinez for a post-screening Q&A.

Shot in the Dark – Tyquone’s a teenage basketball star, but beyond a championship he wants to see the world. This finds him grappling with dreams bigger than the game.

In My Blood It Runs – When Dujuan cannot run nor fight alone, he realises that not only has he inherited the trauma and dispossession of his land, but also the resilience and resistance of many generations of his people which holds the key to his future.

The Candidates – It's teenage Donald versus Hillary in one New York City public high school's mock election. Politics is puberty in the world's longest running civic experiment.

River City Drumbeat – Ed White devoted thirty years to leading an African-American youth drum corps in Louisville, Kentucky. Now Albert, whose destiny was shaped by the drumline, must take up the mantle in a story of music, love, and legacies set in the American South.

Join Director and Producer Marlon Johnson, Director and Producer Anne Flatté, River City Drum Corp Artist and Founder Ed White, and River City Drum Corp Artist and Director Albert Shumake for a post-screening Q&A.

UnschooledUnschooled follows three inner-city high school students as they embark on a radical educational program in North Philadelphia—a program dedicated to empowering students to direct their own education.

Join Co-Director and Co-Cinematographer Rachel Beth Anderson, Co-Director and Co-Cinematographer Timothy Grucza, Tutor and Film Subject Mikail Holmes, and Student Miles Conyers for a post-screening Q&A.

Changing the Game – Transgender high school athletes from across the country challenge the boundaries and perceptions of fairness and discrimination.

Miss Virginia – A struggling inner-city single mother moves her at-risk son from his dangerous public school to a safe private one. Sacrificing everything, but still unable to make the tuition payment, she launches a movement that could save her son’s future.

Join Moving Picture Institute President Rob Pfaltzgraff, Moving Picture Institute Executive Vice President Nick Reid, and Moving Picture Institute Senior Vice President Lana Link for a post-screening Q&A.

No Small Matter – No Small Matter is the first feature documentary to explore the most overlooked, underestimated, and powerful force for change in America today: early childhood education.

Join Writer and Co-Director Greg Jacobs, United Way for Greater Austin's Vice President of Success By 6 Cathy McHorse, Texas Education Agency's Director of Early Childhood Education Jacquie Porter, and Public Speaker and Curriculum Designer at Child First Academy Rachel Giannini for a post-screening Q&A.

Hungry to Learn – The cost of college is forcing students to make choices that put eating regular meals and their education at odds. This poignant film follows four college students as they navigate food insecurity in their attempt to change their lives for the better.

Join Professor of Higher Education Policy & Sociology at Temple University and Founding Director of the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice Sara Goldrick-Rab and Director, Producer, and Editor Geeta Gandbhir for a post-screening Q&A.

Performances

This year's must-see performances offer attendees the opportunity to experience and reflect on the value of performing arts as a vehicle for deeper learning.

You Need Hip Hop Ya Heard?
Culturally Relevant Learning to Vocational Discovery

Learn by Design Coaches

Coaches will offer their expertise and feedback to Learn by Design finalists as they prepare to pitch their groundbreaking work in the design of physical learning environments.

Emily Weerts – Director of Community, Nucleus Learning Network
Carolyn Foote – District Librarian, Eanes ISD

Launch Coaches

Coaches will offer their expertise and feedback to Launch finalists as they prepare for the fast-paced pitch competition celebrating emerging innovations in learning from early-stage startups.

Amy Looper – Co-Founder & COO, OneSeventeen Media, PBC Stephanie Cerda – Assistant Principal, Austin ISD

Student Startup Coaches

Coaches will offer their expertise and feedback to Student Startup competition finalists as they prepare to pitch their business ideas.

Aaron Clay – Partner & Head of Coaching, Amy's EDU
Nathan Ryan – CEO, Blue Sky Partners
Nina Ho – Assistant Director, Blackstone LaunchPad at The University of Texas at Austin

Wellness Events

This year there is an expanded focus on wellness programming for whole person development and personalized learning, offering self-care practices and opportunities to connect with fellow attendees.

Austin Greenbelt Hike (Tuesday | Wednesday)
Mindful Momentum (Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday)
Mindful Movement Break (Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday)
Morning HIIT Workout (Tuesday | Thursday)
Wellness Studio (Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday)
No Sweat Yoga
Lifestyle Nutrition for the Educational Professional
Yoga in Arabic: Curriculum & Approach

Networking

Take advantage of the many opportunities to network during SXSW EDU. Whether you’re seeking new connections, or friends aligned with your interests, explore the networking events below.

Austin East Side Art Walking Tour (Monday | Wednesday)
Austin Music Walking Tour (Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday)
Downtown Austin Walking Tour (Sunday | Tuesday | Thursday)
Pop-Up Dinner at Osteria Pronto (Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday)
Pop-Up Dinner at Cannon & Belle (Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday)
Expo Coffee Break (Monday | Tuesday)
Opening Party
Competition Awards Party
Closing Party
Expo Snack Break
A Sip of Arabia: Tea Break with QFI
Launch Startup Spotlight
Learn by Design Spotlight

Book Signings

Attendees can meet with their favorite authors at book signings in the SXSW EDU bookstore.

Alyssa Milano
Barbara Bray
Daniel Nayeri
David Bowles
Darcie Little Badger
Elliot Washor
Esther Wojcicki
James Butler
Jason Rawls
Jason Reynolds
Jen Brown
Jennifer Eberhardt
Jessica Lahey
Jonathan Moules
Laura Huang
Laurie Halse Anderson
Michael B. Horn & Bob Moesta
Nicki Washington
Paul Tough
Sayantani Dasgupta
Sir Ken Robinson
Shawn Rubin
Ted Dintersmith
Todd Nesloney
Valorie Kondos Field
Whitney Hollins

Now's the time to secure your place at the must-attend event for education professionals. Register by Friday, February 14 to save $55 on the walk-up rate.

Hundreds of Sessions and Events Announced

Photos courtesy of SXSW EDU 2020 films (t-b-l-r) Shot in the Dark, Learning to Skateboard in a War Zone (if you're a girl), Unschooled, We Are The Radical Monarchs, River City Drumbeat.

By Leslie Kelley

02/6/2020