Event Features Interactive Panel Discussion: ‘How Innovation Drives Creativity and Community;’ Happy Hour at the Butterfly Bar
#GALSNGEAR®, a movement to bring parity to womxn in media and entertainment, will host a panel discussion and free networking happy hour on Saturday, March 11, at The VORTEX theater and adjacent Butterfly Bar during the SXSW 2023 in Austin, Texas. The event will begin at 2 p.m. with “How Innovation Drives Creativity and Community,” a panel featuring speakers including Malkia Lydia of Kuyamba Media, director/producer of the documentary “Reunion Choir;” Adryenn Ashley, technologist-entrepreneur and global leader in blockchain and NFTs; and moderator Frances Illa, an expert in broadcast and virtual event management. The free registration link is live now - www.eventbrite.com/e/galsngear-at-the-vortex-panel-and-happy-hour-tickets-516079717327
“With this event, we bring SXSW attendees across film, media, and television, as well as the Austin creative community, a unique opportunity to connect in conversation about how new technologies are enabling more diverse voices to be heard, particularly in video production and post-production,” said #GALSNGEAR founder Amy DeLouise. “The VORTEX will serve as the ideal backdrop for this discussion about the intersection of innovation and creative content. And the Butterfly Bar will provide space for deeper conversation and informal networking, making this event a wonderful complement to SXSW programming over the weekend. Thanks to our sponsors, we’re also offering goody bags to the first 50 people to be seated at the panel. The session will also include a sneak peek at Evercoast's immersive technology, powered by Dell Precision workstations. Plus, panel attendees are eligible to win — only if they are present.
Dell Technologies, NVIDIA and Blackmagic Design are all sponsors for this #GALSNGEAR event at The VORTEX, less than a 10-minute drive or ride from the heart of SXSW.
The #GALSNGEAR Session and Panelists
The #GALSNGEAR panel discussion, which will incorporate workshop-style interaction with audience members, will start at 2 p.m. at The VORTEX, which is known for presenting innovative performances. The set of “I See You, You Are Seen,” a fusion of music, art, and poetry exploring oppressions of Black women while illuminating their lineage and strength, will serve as the backdrop for the discussion among attendees and panelists.
Malkia K. Lydia
Lydia is a media maker who recovers authentic stories about Black community life. She has produced films for installations and permanent exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution, National Civil Rights Museum, D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities, and a Knight Foundation Challenge. Currently, she is completing her first two feature documentaries as director/producer with support from Black Public Media, ITVS, Good Pitch, Prince George’s Arts & Humanities Council, and Humanities DC. Lydia has taught media courses for Temple University, American University, and multiple community organizations. She is a proud graduate of Washington, D.C., Public Schools as well as Duke University and Temple University.
Adryenn Ashley
With 30 years in the industry both in front of and behind the camera, Ashley has a unique perspective on mentoring startups and advising global investment firms, with a focus on the world of NFTs and blockchain. From shooting her first feature film in eight days and going on to win awards around the globe to launching a TV development platform to give content creators greater control, a project that put her talk show on national broadcast television in four months, her work has been driven by passion and an eye for what’s next.
Christin Roman, Director of Research, Strategy & User Experience, Type/Code
Roman has spent 16 years in the tech industry as an interaction designer, user researcher, and product manager, creating apps and websites for everything from fashion to finance to education to editorial. Her current Director role at Type/Code has her leading the discovery process with a diverse range of clients, overseeing an award-winning team of UX/UI designers, and coordinating implementation with a top-notch in-house development team. Her approach to design was deeply inspired by Red Burns, founder of the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU where Roman earned her master’s degree, who believed that technology is a means, not the ends, to human creativity.
Frances Illa, Senior Manager, Broadcast & Virtual Events
Illa has been in the virtual events industry for more than 12 years. Her first major role was building a department that specialized in offering AV services for webcast events, and over the years, she has produced thousands of events, ranging from simple one-camera setups to large-scale studio events. She has volunteered her time for organizations such as Techqueria and is a proud member of Tech Ladies and Latinas in Tech. Recently, she was contracted to be the programming coordinator for the annual conference at Coursera and will be returning as the 2023 conference program manager. She is part of the team behind this #GALSNGEAR event during SXSW.
The #GALSNGEAR Happy Hour
Following the panel discussion, the #GALSNGEAR happy hour will be a private event, running from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Butterfly Bar, before it opens to the public. The Butterfly Bar offers some of Austin’s best-handcrafted cocktails, boasts a butterfly sanctuary, provides a comfortable environment for conversation, and is known as a cultural hub within Austin.
Registered attendees at the #GALSNGEAR happy hour receive one drink ticket that may be used for a range of non-alcoholic and specialty drinks, as well as wine and local beers.
The #GALSNGEAR event at SXSW is limited to 100 guests free of charge, and registration via Eventbrite is required. A waitlist is now available.
Sponsorship opportunities at the supporting sponsor ($1,750) level remain available. Inquiries should be directed to galsngear@gmail.com.
Further information about this event and about #GALSNGEAR is online at www.galsngear.tv.
