SXSW 2025 | Canadian Innovation Lounge 

CALL FOR ENTRIES 

Telefilm Canada and its partners are pleased to announce the return of the Canadian Innovation Lounge at SXSW. This dedicated space will serve as a platform for up to 12 Canadian companies to showcase their innovation and creativity at the XR Experience Exhibition, which houses break-through XR and AI experiences from around the world.   

The Canadian Innovation Lounge is open to innovative products and experiences from Canadian companies working across XR, AI, gaming, the creator economy, music, virtual production and more.  

Featured projects will rotate each day, with four different companies showcased each day. The rotating format allows companies to unlock new exposure and business development opportunities both as selections at the Canadian Innovation Lounge and by being present at additional programs and events at SXSW. 

DETAILS 

• Telefilm Canada does not offer financial support to take part in this initiative, or a SXSW 2025 badge. It is taken for granted that regardless of their selection, applicants will attend SXSW 2025.  
• Each company space will be set up with a table, chairs, electrical outlet and one screen.  All other equipment and any individual branding elements (i.e. banners) must be provided by the selected companies.  
• Companies will benefit from inclusion in the Canada @ SXSW promotional campaign. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

Companies must: 

• be a Canadian controlled corporation, as determined under sections 26 to 28 of the Investment Canada Act;  
• be represented during the initiative by a Canadian citizen within the definition of the Citizenship Act or a permanent resident within the definition of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;  
• have its head office in Canada and carry out its activities in Canada; 
• be planning to attend SXSW 2025 and available to exhibit according to the schedule that will be provided by mid-February 2025; 
• have at minimum a demo version of their projects to showcase. 

IMPORTANT: HOW TO SUBMIT

• Please note that this Call for Entries is hosted by Telefilm Canada’s platform, Dialogue Events.
• You must have a Dialogue Account in order to submit to this Call for Entries.
• If you receive an error message when clicking on the “SUBMIT HERE” button, please ensure that you have created a Dialogue account here.
• If you already have a Dialogue account, but receive an error message, please ensure that you have accepted the new Terms and Conditions from September 2023 under “Tasks”. This process is outlined in the User Guide, page 5.
• Please consult the User Guide for further details about the two subjects above, and more.
• For questions about the submission process, please contact Anthea Zeng.

SELECTION CRITERIA 

• Up to 12 applicants will be selected to participate in this initiative. 
• Decision-making will be based on qualitative information in order to select the projects that will best showcase Canada’s innovation and creativity.   
• The following criteria will serve as a guide, no specific weighting will be attributed to each of the components: 
• The applicants’ objectives for participating in this initiative; 
• Creativity and innovation of the projects; 
• Diversity of types of projects; 
• Regional representation. 

ABOUT 

The SXSW® Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the technology, gaming, film and television, and music industries. Located in the heart of Austin, Texas, SXSW is the premier destination for discovery. The annual March event features sessions, music and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, world-class exhibitions, professional development and networking opportunities, tech competitions, awards ceremonies, and much more. 

MORE INFORMATION 

For more information about the Canadian Innovation Lounge, please contact Ann-Marie Picard. 

For questions about the submission process, please contact Anthea Zeng. 

Promotion and Communications  
Telefilm Canada, Montréal  
DL-festivals@telefilm.ca   
1 800 567-0890