SXSW Film and TV Festival Director Janet Pierson Moves to New Role as Director Emeritus

The new SXSW film and television festival will now have a new director and a new name.

The 2023 festival will be led by Claudette Godfrey, taking over from longtime mentor Janet Pierson, who ran SXSW for 15 years as vice-director. Pierson will become a "director emeritus".

"Directing SXSW Film (now SXSW Film & TV) from 2008 at the age of 50 has been a wonderful and quite unexpected adventure," Pierson said in a press release. "It was glorious to showcase so much great work at our unique event, providing so many transformative experiences for creators and audiences alike."

Pierson continued: "I am extremely proud of the work done by our small and very powerful team. Now, 15 years and 14 events later, it seems only right to hand over the reins to the new Director of Cinema and television, Claudette Godfrey. Claudette and I began working together in 2008 and she has been an important collaborator and leader every step of the way. I am thrilled to remain on the programming team to continue to support and uplift the creators in this new role as Director Emeritus. It has been a real privilege and I am filled with gratitude."

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Prior to running SXSW, Pierson worked as an exhibitor, producer rep and creative force for IFC-Criterion's split-screen, hosted by her husband John Pierson. She has also served on the board of the Austin Film Society. Longtime collaborator Godfrey joined as an SXSW programmer in 2008 and is credited with championing the works of independent artists like the Daniels, Janicza Bravo and Trey Edward Shults.

“Janet is an incredible leader and mentor, and I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to watch her and learn from her example. for all of this to come true inspires me perpetually," Godfrey said. "I'm a hype woman at heart, and it's a great joy in my life to discover and nurture new talent by organizing and making evolve an event that celebrates film, television and creativity. I started at the bottom and the journey has been exceptional - it is a huge honor to continue to build on the legacy of SXSW Film & TV and the 'take to the future.'

SXSW Film & TV Festival 2023 will take place March 10-19 in Austin, TX. The SXSW Film & TV badge is available at the lowest rate from August 2 through September 15, 2022. Registration for the 2023 festival opens August 2 for the best rates and hotel options. SXSW Film, TV, XR registrations are open from August 23 to October 18, 2022.

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