(I) Production Intern

SXSW; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 14,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

SXSW Production Intern is a paid internship located in Austin, Texas, running January–March. The role provides hands-on experience in large-scale festival production, including stages across Music, EDU, and Comedy, with collaboration across the production team.

You must be enrolled in an accredited university or college, reside in Texas, and demonstrate quick thinking, basic production tech knowledge, organization, strong customer service and communication skills, and a collaborative spirit.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in an accredited university or college and live in Texas.
• Demonstrate quick thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Have or be willing to acquire knowledge of basic production technology.
• Be organized and detail-oriented, including managing digital assets.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills (phone, email, and face-to-face).
• Thrive in collaborative, team-based environments.

Responsibilities

• Advance and execute production for an assigned stage during the festival.
• Collaborate with Production Managers to organize materials.
• Support the Production Team with diverse tasks across SXSW Conference and Festivals.

Skills

Problem-solving

Production tech

Organized

Customer service

Communication

Collaboration

Job description

March 15–21, 2027 | Austin, TX

Careers

SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries.

Join the SXSW Team

We Embrace Unexpected Discoveries

SXSW is committed to the discovery and development of diverse talent. We believe that when creative people express their individuality, it births new ideas, challenges bias, signals inclusion, promotes diversity and awakens a culture rooted in belonging.

SXSW is responsible for providing a space for creatives to thrive by bringing their unique personalities to the table to create an unprecedented culture unlike any other. We are intentional about building an environment more representative of the communities we serve because it creates a stronger and more creative workplace proven to deliver the best results.

SXSW is committed to the discovery and development of diverse talent. We believe that when creative people express their individuality, it births new ideas, challenges bias, signals inclusion, promotes diversity and awakens a culture rooted in belonging.

SXSW is responsible for providing a space for creatives to thrive by bringing their unique personalities to the table to create an unprecedented culture unlike any other. We are intentional about building an environment more representative of the communities we serve because it creates a stronger and more creative workplace proven to deliver the best results.

Diversity: The presence of differences that represent society at all levels.

Increasing diversity means we decrease conformity, while leading to more engagement, innovation and creativity.

Equity: Our commitment to eliminate barriers and ensure opportunities for everyone.
Increasing equity ensures impartiality and fairness for all communities. We pledge to remove structural inequities in the employee life cycle, build policies that ensure accessibility for all, and take continual steps to confront bias in decision making.

Inclusion: The actions taken to be sure everyone feels invited, embraced, and valued.
Increasing inclusion affirms that our SXSW community feels a shared belonging, respected, and valued with equitable opportunities to contribute their individuality to the organization and advance their skill sets and careers.

Culture and Values

Our Culture

Curious
Our staff’s deep interests and creative passions are often reflected in their work. We thrive in an open-minded environment, where we believe in continuously exploring new ideas, knowledge, and skills.

Independent
SXSW is authentic and unlike any other experiences, and we celebrate its originality. We like to figure things out, and we value independent thinking to solve problems and fuel innovation, creativity, and growth.

Inclusive
We celebrate the unique identities, contributions, perspectives, and lived experiences of the SXSW community. By cultivating an inclusive environment, we unlock a wealth of talent and create a vibrant experience where everyone can succeed.

Adaptable
Our business is never static. We are resilient, we find ways to adjust, and we embrace the dynamic, ever-changing nature of our world.

Hard-working
We embrace challenges and have high expectations. We are passionate and dedicated to doing what it takes to deliver a stellar SXSW experience.

Collaborative
We believe that collaboration brings about remarkable results. We value teamwork and seek diverse perspectives to support the success of creative people.

Our Values

Creativity
We foster discovery and shine a light on artists and innovators whose work is fresh, non-obvious, and pushes boundaries. We believe original thinking drives visionary problem solving and positive change.

Community
We recognize the power of human connections and shared experiences—from within our SXSW team and participants from around the world—to help fulfill our purpose. By fostering a sense of belonging, we can unleash potential that contributes to the progress of creative people everywhere.

Individuality
We celebrate self-expression and value each other’s differences and unique perspectives. We believe that embracing individuality means creating an inclusive and supportive experience for all.

Human Potential
We view what’s ahead as a big opportunity. We advance the ideas and accomplishments of forward thinkers and believe in the power of humans to do the impossible to create a better future.

Company Perks & Applicant Questions

Company Perks

We offer acompetitive benefits packageto all regular, full time staff that includes but is not limited to:

• Company-Subsidized Medical Plans
• Employer Paid Dental
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Employer Contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Optional Discounted Vision Plan
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• 401K
• Staff Badge Perks
• Unique and Collaborative Work Environment
• Unforgettable Experiences

Applicant Questions

What happens after I apply?
Once you submit your application it will be reviewed by a member of the Human Resources Team. Your amazing skill set is compared to job requirements and core competencies to determine job fit. If the application is complete and in line with the job requirements you will receive a call for a brief phone interview. The final step is a face to face interview with the hiring manager.

Who can I speak with if I have additional questions?
All questions regarding the job opening, response timeline, feedback, and the hiring process can be directed to the Human Resources Department. Please [e-mail] .

What does it mean to be seasonal?
The technical definition is a staff member who works 6 month of the year or less. At SXSW being a seasonal employee means so much more than that! Seasonal staff join the company in anticipation of the event and add great value. Although the employment may be short-lived, it’s a great way to learn the industry and be a part of a world renowned global event. Have additional questions? Feel free to reach out to our Human Resources Department. Please [e-mail] .

Internships

At SXSW, we take pride in offering internships that are comprehensive learning experiences. Our interns are an integral part of a team that produces a world-class international event. We offer opportunities in Brand & Marketing, Innovation, the Music and Film Festivals, Conference Programming, and more.

As a SXSW intern, you can expect to:

• Explore your chosen industry and learn how it interacts with other disciplines
• Network, making professional connections inside and outside the company
• Expand your portfolio and resume, putting your efforts on display to a discerning global audience
• Develop and prove your professional skills alongside supportive, invested colleagues and mentors
• Experience the whole of the SXSW Conference and Festivals, as both an intern and an attendee with complimentary access

“As an intern, the management team really opens you up to be a part of the culture” –Glassdoor Review

“Great opportunity to look inside what makes one of the world’s largest festivals.” –Glassdoor Review

Note: All internships paid at $12/hr. Enrollment in a college or university is required to be considered for an internship.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering for SXSW is a great way to meet new people, showcase SXSW and Austin to our global community, and earn great perks to attend SXSW or SXSW EDU!

Learn more about badge types and how you can earn the opportunity to attend SXSW atsxsw.com/volunteer .

Current Career Opportunities

Explore available positions and submit your resume. If there are no positions listed below, please check back for updates.

Position: (I) Production Intern Location: Austin, TX
Job Id:293 # of Openings:2 SXSW Production Intern Internship Purpose The SXSW Production Department is seeking a highly motivated intern to join our team. This role is ideal for students interested in gaining hands-on experience in large-scale event production. The Production Department manages logistics for SXSW Conference & Festivals, including audio/visual orders and labor for the Music Festival, production and site operations for Waterloo Park, Registrants Lounge, and Artist Lounge, as well as logistics for performance stages across SXSW, including Comedy, Film, and EDU Festival stages. During this internship, students will gain valuable experience in all aspects of event production and site logistics, including working with artists, speakers, vendors, and venues; creating timelines; supporting vendor acquisition; and developing the solution-oriented, creative, and quick-thinking mindset essential to success in event production. What You Will Learn

• How to build production schedules and timelines for a large-scale festival
• The “advancing” process, which involves working with artists and speakers to plan and organize onsite elements of their performances or presentations Venue and vendor acquisition, including walkthroughs, creating production orders, and working with the City of Austin to bring large-scale events to life
• How to use event software such as Filemaker, Airtable, SXSW internal databases, and other data management tools
• How to successfully stage manage a programming stage at an industry‑standard level

Duties & Responsibilities Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Advance and execute production for an assigned stage (Sales, Music, EDU, or Comedy) during the festival
• Collaborate with Production Managers to organize and review production materials from Music Festival artists
• Support each member of the Production Team, on diverse and robust tasks, across SXSW Conference and Festivals

Qualifications & Skills To be eligible for an SXSW internship, you must be enrolled in an accredited university or college and live in Texas.

• Demonstrate quick thinking and problem-solving skills
• Have, or have an interest to acquire, knowledge of basic production technology
• Be organized and detail-oriented, especially with managing digital assets such as paperwork or spreadsheets
• Have excellent customer service and communication (phone, email, and face-to-face) skills
• Thrive in collaborative, team-based environments

Physical requirements Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.

• Ability to lift to 20+ pounds occasionally, as needed.
• Manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.
• May require occasional bending, reaching, kneeling, or climbing stairs.
• Ability to work in an outdoor environment, which may include exposure to varying temperatures or noise levels.
• This position requires extensive walking and standing through the March event. Schedules may vary during the on-site operational period.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Location, Schedule & Pay This position is located in Austin, Texas, and runs from January-March. Core business office hours are Mon-Fri, 10 am - 6 pm. Time commitment is a maximum of 16 hours per week. Availability of 40 hours per week is required during the event, between 3/13/2027 and 3/21/2027. This is a paid internship at $12/hour.