Since 1989, The American Pavilion’s esteemed Worldwide Student Program has introduced thousands of entertainment industry students to festivals and events worldwide, from Hollywood to Cannes to Venice. Now, AmPav is proud to continue our newest student program at Austin's influential South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival next March! This 8 day program will focus on the film & TV portion of the festival. Along with discovering groundbreaking new movies and TV series, your pass will also allow you access to talks with thought leaders from the worlds of Film, Tech, and Music. Join us next March for our second SXSW Intensive!
SXSW Intensive Details
2026 Program Dates:
Wednesday, March 11 – Wednesday, March 18
Application Deadlines:
Earlybird Deadline: September 15, 2025
Regular Deadline: TBC
Late Deadline: TBC
Program Fee:
Earlybird: $3,250
Regular: TBC
Late: TBC
Program Fee includes:
- Festival accreditation with primary access to keynotes, featured speakers, mentor sessions & workshops, Film & TV screenings/premieres, and the Film & TV Festival Opening Party
- Seven nights of shared accommodation in downtown Austin (within walking distance of Festival venues)
- Daily breakfast
- Exclusive roundtables
Flight/Travel Arrangements:
Participants are responsible for their travel arrangements to and from Austin, TX.
Application Requirements
1. Completed online application form – Please note that applicants must be 18 years of age by the start of the program.
2. Current résumé
3. Non-refundable application fee of $55
Completed applications are reviewed by The American Pavilion Selection Committee on a rolling basis. Candidates who meet all of the requirements for admission will be contacted for an interview and notified of a decision on a first come, first served basis.
Candidates are encouraged to apply early as the program can fill up quickly.
Want to learn more about SXSW Intensive? Sign up for a Zoom Q&A! Click here to see the schedule!
Conditions of Acceptance
If accepted into the program, a deposit of $1000 is due within two weeks of acceptance to hold your spot.
In order to qualify for the earlybird fee, you must pay the program fee IN FULL by September 29, 2025.
Balance after paying $1000 deposit:
$2,250 if paid in full by September 29, 2025
TBC if paid by regular or late deadline
All prices are in USD. Please note that we cannot accept checks.
Failure to comply with the above stated conditions will result in being put on the waiting list or forfeiting your place in the program.
121 days or more prior to program start date:
Full refund less the $55 non-refundable application fee and $500 cancellation fee
120 to 61 days prior to program start date:
50% refund less the $55 non-refundable application fee and $500 cancellation fee
60 days or less prior to program start date:
No refund will be issued.
CHANGING PROGRAMS:
Instead of a refund, you may request to transfer your fees to another AmPav program that takes place within 12 months of your original program.* If the new program costs more, you will be billed for the difference. No refunds or price adjustments will be issued if the new program costs less than the original program you signed up for.
In order to switch programs, you will need to go through the application process for the new program, including paying the $55 non-refundable application fee and having another interview.
*For example, if you signed up for Cannes in May, you may switch to Cannes the following year or anything within the 12 months leading up to the next Cannes (SXSW, Venice), but you cannot apply your fees to programs past the 12 months.