Get ready, local music festival heads, SXSW is coming to the White House. Well, sort of. Earlier today, the South by Southwest festival announced its partnership with President Barack Obama with a small-scale version of the festival, South by South Lawn: a pared-down version of the eponymous festival taking place on the White House’s South Lawn on Oct. 3.
Like SXSW, SXSL will feature three main components: film, music, and interactive. And this collaborative event has a noble cause to, as the White House said in a statement that the goal of it is to “challenge young leaders to build on our progress toward an America that is more tolerant, fair, and full of opportunities.”
SXSL’s interactive side will feature panelists talking about innovative and creative ideas. The third annual White House Student Film Festival will take place as well, the theme being “The World I Want to Live In.” And the music portion will “include well-known and emerging artists who are using their music to inspire audiences.”
The programming for SXSL hasn’t been announced yet and the White House attendance to SXSL will be tough: It will be granted through a nomination process, which seeks to bring people “creating change — big or small — [to their] community” to attend.
Unlike SXSW, don’t expect all-night booze-filled showcases and breakfast tacos at every corner. This is the White House after all.
Nominations for SXSL attendees can be submitted on the White House website. The deadline to nominate individuals is Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.