Discover The Trends, Ideas and Stories Shaping Culture & Lifestyle At SXSW Sydney

Culture isn’t just something we consume – it’s something we live, breathe, and shape every day.

‍

SXSW Sydney^®’s Culture & Lifestyle tracks dive into the trends, ideas and movements defining how we connect, create and thrive. From food and fashion to travel, sport, health and wellbeing, this is where curiosity meets inspiration, and where global voices and local pioneers share their stories.

‍

It’s not about what’s in style for the season — it’s about how culture shapes the way we see ourselves and each other, now and into the future. Whether you’re a tastemaker, a trend-spotter, or simply passionate about how people live, SXSW Sydney’s Culture & Lifestyle tracks invite you to explore the ideas and experiences shaping the world around us.

‍

Here’s what’s waiting for you in Culture & Lifestyle:

‍

Loved to death: are culture and tourism killing the planet?

Industry leaders explore the future of tourism amid global backlash, asking what ‘good’ tourism looks like and how cultural icons and major events can drive sustainable change.

‍

The Role of AI in Indigenous Language Documentation, Revitalisation, Teaching and Learning

A panel on how Indigenous communities can harness AI while protecting data sovereignty, exploring curated models, language preservation, and new culturally driven user experiences.

‍

Hey Death. It’s Time We Talk

A raw conversation on death as the ultimate life-affirming topic, exploring how facing mortality can transform how we live, connect, and find meaning.

‍

Psychology and AI in Fitness

Ryan Hogan, Amber Taylor, and Mohammed Iqbal explore how AI and neuroscience are shaping fitness—personalising workouts, building healthy habits, and ensuring safety and diversity.

‍

Resale vs retail: Can pre-loved survive the fast-fashion frenzy?

Experts from Sendle, The Volte and eBay discuss the rise of resale fashion, its challenges, and whether secondhand can compete with ultra-fast fashion.

‍

Creative solutions to Australia's housing affordability crisis

A panel on community-driven, human-centred housing solutions that could reshape Australia’s housing market—and why they’ve yet to gain traction.

‍

The Power of Movement: How Exercise and Mateship Save Lives

Tadhg Kennelly and David Eccles share how When No One’s Watching (WNOW) tackles men’s mental health through exercise, connection, and honest conversations.

‍

What can a coin flip teach us about discrimination?

Dr Eliane Deschrijver (University of Sydney) shares research showing how chance events, like a coin toss, influence generosity, bias, and the roots of discrimination.

‍

Play to Thrive

Dr Kate Renshaw, Camey O’Keefe, and Reanna Browne explore how play drives healing, creativity, and performance, showing why structured play is a powerful advantage.

‍

Swap-tober: Circular Fashion in Action

Swap-tober brings together a clothing swap and big ideas on circular fashion, exploring how consumers and brands can design for a garment’s next life.

‍

Brisbane 2032: Where Gen Alpha will force the Games into Beta mode

As Brisbane 2032 approaches, Chloe Dalton, Reanna Browne, Smaran Jworchan and Kim Anderson debate how the Games must evolve to capture Gen Alpha’s attention.

‍

Unpacking Culture

A reflective session on the meaning of “culture,” blending First Nations teachings with Western perspectives to foster broader understanding and appreciation.

‍

Access Denied: Building Safer Digital Spaces

Em Rusciano, Nick Carlton, Carly Findlay and Simon Schenkel discuss how to fix exclusion in tech platforms and build more inclusive, accessible digital spaces.

‍

The rise of the sports creator: Meet the women disrupting sports media

A panel on the evolution of women’s sport and media, exploring how athletes and creators are driving new narratives across podcasts, social media, and beyond.

‍

Power Gap: Converting youth activism into political change

Young leaders and activists discuss how to accelerate youth political influence, dismantle barriers, and harness their energy to meet modern challenges.

‍

Stories Beat Data (Every.Single.Time.)

Julie Eckersley and Kristen Hodges explore how storytelling in film, TV, and social media drives real-world change, and share practical steps to craft stories that inspire action.

‍

Indigenous partnership in action – insights from Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter, Aotearoa New Zealand

Robin Taua-Gordon and Jasmine Millet share how authentic iwi (tribal) partnerships in Auckland are reshaping collaboration, showing how reciprocal relationships can supercharge ambitious projects.

‍

From Sole To Soul: The Sneaker Life Cycle Revolution

A session on how circular models, new materials, and cross-sector collaboration in sports fashion are redefining waste and driving a more sustainable future.

If I ran Australia: the big, bold ideas that no one is talking about and everyone should be

Misha Ketchell moderates a panel with Richard Denniss, Aruna Sathanapally, and Emma Dawson on bold new ideas to revive Australia’s stalled productivity and economic future.

‍

Threads of change: The future of circular fashion

Industry leaders and innovators explore the future of circular fashion, from next-gen materials to responsible consumerism, and how to move beyond fast fashion and greenwashing.

‍

From IG To IRL: Creating Community Impact in the World Of Hair and Beauty

Panelists explore how culture, aesthetics, and education can transform digital platforms into thriving real-world communities beyond the algorithm.

‍

How Technology Will Solve The $1.8T Counterfeit Designer Goods Problem

A session on how AI-powered authentication is tackling counterfeit fashion, redefining trust in resale, and protecting both designers and shoppers.

‍

Second Life: Remixing Migrant Culture

Join Amy Low, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, and others to explore how migrant heritage is shaping food, fashion, and art in Australia—and how showcasing these cultures and stories sparks creative and community connections.

‍

Scaling through storytelling: The WNBL's "Matilda's Moment"

Explore the rapid rise of women’s basketball and how Australia’s talent pipeline and growing participation are shaping the future of storytelling, sponsorship, and leadership in the sport. 

‍

Does Wikipedia know it all? What gets left out and why it matters

Wikipedia experts and researchers discuss representation gaps, edit wars, and how Wikimedians’ blind spots shape what knowledge is included—or excluded—on the world’s largest reference work.

‍

Two Letters - Infinite Meanings

A session on the cultural and ethical consequences of AI, exploring addictive human-AI relationships, hidden labor, and the technology’s growing environmental impact.

‍

FIND THE FUN IN FEAR: a wild and intimate ride with big-wave surfer, Laura Enever

Laura Enever shares her journey from pro surfing to big-wave riding, exploring how finding fun in fear can unlock courage in everyday life.

‍

Rolling the Dice on the Future of Connection

Steph Clarke (Futurist) and Megan Davis (Narrative Strategist) lead an interactive board game exploring the coexistence of technology and humanity, highlighting how empathy, creativity, and storytelling can shape more connected futures.

‍

Creating positive change through the joy of cultural tourism

Gain insights from tourism organisations leading the way in reconciliation, with practical lessons on fostering cultural connection through authentic travel experiences.

‍

Summoning Apparitions: an AI Magic Lantern Show

Damian Gascoigne and Lienors Torre use a repurposed Victorian lantern projector and AI-generated slides to reimagine colonial history, blending humour, critique, and contested narratives.

‍

Discover the energy, creativity and conversations redefining culture at SXSW Sydney. Secure your Pass today and continue exploring SXSW Sydney 2025 here.

‍