[phileysmiley]

<img src="http://parcom.pronetworks.org/images/1017sxsw.jpg" align="right" alt="sxsw film festival"></img><font color="maroon">by Larry Richman </font><font color="gray" size="1">February 14, 2008 11:14 AM</font>

The SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas is one of my favorite events to attend but it's not just about film. In addition to the wonderful movies we see each year are the panels which make up the <a href="http://2008.sxsw.com/film/conference/" target="_blank">SXSW Film Conference</a>. It's an experience in itself and the topics and speakers are as highly anticipated as the lineup of films. There will be about 50 discussions and workshops taking place at the Austin Convention Center from March 8-11.

Earlier, panels announced included "A Conversation with Harlan Ellison," "Stanley Nelson: History in the Making," and "A Conversation with Helen Hunt."

Just announced additions to the schedule include:

"What the Writers' Strike Taught Us" on March 8
"Drugs, Politics, and Race: A 'Harold & Kumar' Panel" on March 9
"An Actor's Workshop with Jeffrey Tambor" on March 9
"Coming Soon: The Making of a Trailer" on March 10
"A Conversation with Billy Bob Thornton & Dwight Yoakam" on March 11

The panels conclude with "A Conversation with Moby," hosted by Doreen Ringer-Ross of BMI.

The complete lineup of panels and workshops will be available <a href="http://2008.sxsw.com/film/conference/" target="_blank"> at the SXSW official site</a> on Friday.