Steven Spielberg to Appear as Keynote Speaker at SXSW!

Film festival SXSW has announced today that legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg will appear during the event on March 13th as a Keynote speaker!

In a live episode of The Big Picture, Spielberg will join host Sean Fennessey for a wide-ranging conversation about his extraordinary body of work, the future of movies and moviegoing, as well as discussion around his new sci-fi thriller, Disclosure Day, arriving in theaters this June from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.

Said Claudette Godfrey, VP Film & TV. “Steven Spielberg is a true pioneer and legend whose seminal work has inspired generations of filmmakers and audiences alike. He’s given us some of cinema’s most formative, unforgettable, and magical experiences, always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on screen. He embodies the spirit of cinematic innovation and bold storytelling that defines SXSW, and bringing him to Austin for this special Keynote is going to be an extraordinary moment for our community.”

Indeed, Spielberg has had a heavy hand in shaping the current generation of filmmakers. With a long list of features that includes Jaws, E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Duel, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and Jurassic Park, his influence cannot be overstated.

SXSW 2026 runs March 12–18 in Austin and marks the festival’s 40th year.

Check out the lineup of genre films that will screen during the festival.

And don’t miss Spielberg’s Disclosure Day when it lands in theaters on June 12th.