SXSW (South by Southwest) returns to Austin, TX on March 10th and this year’s festival is packing some serious fan interaction ka-pow. In addition to the appearances of Game of Thrones stars Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner and showrunner David Benioff and executive producer DB Weiss, HBO is pulling out all the stops to give fans the experience they crave. Obstacles will be conquered, stars will speak, and wine will flow in abundance.
A flagship event at this year’s festival will be HBO: The Escape, described as “an immersive escape-the-room style experience featuring rooms themed to different HBO shows (Silicon Valley®, Veep® and Game of Thrones) In each room, teams will have the opportunity to complete a challenge, locate the door and escape to the next room,” on the event’s official site. It gives fans a chance to engage in a fun, team oriented challenge based around hit shows from the network. HBO: The Escape runs from Saturday, March 11 to Monday, March 13 at 800 Congress Ave. in Downtown Austin. If that’s not enough to get you excited, have a look at this promotional video for the event.
For those looking to let their fan flags fly, people who make their way through all three rooms will get a chance to pose for a photo op on the Iron Throne, buy show merchandise, and sample Game of Thrones wines at a special tasting made possible by Vintage Wine Estates and HBO Global Licensing.
HBO’s Animals, the “program made in an apartment”, is also getting a special panel on Saturday, March 11 for its upcoming second season. The animated program, focused on New York City animals with problems just as bad (or worse) than any human’s, will be discussed by creators Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano. The creators will explain the DIY show’s roots, discuss indie television, and expand on various quirks of the program. Additionally, a never-before-seen episode featuring the voice talents of Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers), and Michael Rapaport (Prison Break, Justified) will be screened.
Finally, fans will be treated to a panel with the cast and showrunner of VEEP as it transitions into its sixth season. The main cast, including leading lady/executive producer Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Tony Hale, and Anna Chlumsky will join writer/executive producer David Mandel for a rap session about the show’s future as well as insight regarding its success. The panel is extra special for being the very first VEEP panel at SXSW and will take place on the festival’s Monday, March 13.
With the addition of the Game of Thrones featured session on Sunday, March 12, HBO nicely rounds out an experience that fans of the network’s premium programming can be proud of. Whether it be tests of knowledge and skill or a chat with casts and creators, SXSW is kicking off a banner year for some of HBO’s most successful and popular programs. It’s the kind of experience viewers dream of, and one that is made possible at the premier festival for creative minds.
Stay tuned with mxdwn Television for more information and updates surrounding the SXSW Conference and Festival in Austin, TX.