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IMI Fest
Schedules

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Thursday

November 14th

  • Camp IMI campers and mentors can check into their hotel rooms 11/13!

    Camp IMI starts with breakfast in The Den at the East Austin Hotel at 9 am. Expect a full day of creative activities.

  • Check in for your hotel room at the East Austin Hotel opens (unless you're already here for Camp IMI).

  • Come meet your fellow creators at The Rooftop at the East Austin Hotel. We'll have an open bar and a range of passed appetizers!

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November 15th

Friday
  • The shuttle will leave East Austin Hotel at 8:30 AM Sharp for Baker Center. We'll have a shuttle looping back and forth between locations all day in case you need to return to the hotel.

  • An important Austin cultural experience: breakfast tacos!

  • This is your chance to explore the creative community within our building! Choose an activity based on your interests and meet likeminded creators. More information on these activities to come.

  • These sessions are designed to spark organic, dynamic discussions around topics that matter most. These are meant to be private, uncensored conversations with your peers. Session 1 topics are:

    Research and inspiration in the Cafetorium: How do you find the video, audio, books, articles, papers, music, etc. that inspires and informs your work?

    Who do you create for in the IMI OfficeYourself or others? Who is “your audience”? How do you handle the post-posting blues? What happens when a beloved project flops?

    Building and managing teams in Rocket Conference: Often the hard stuff is the people stuff! When is it time to grow your team? How do you find the right people? How do you manage them?

    I'm optimistic about... in the Courtyard: Being an independent creator is tough. But what are you excited about? What’s the future media industry you want to build?

  • Gather back in the Cafetorium for a casual lunch with your new friends.

  • Session 2 topics are: 

    The Steps in the CafetoriumStrategies and gameplans for getting your work to the next level. What steps have you taken to advance your career or your work?

    Fake it til you make it in the IMI OfficeHow do you create without formal training? Independent creators have to wear every hat: how do you figure it out?

    Becoming multiplatform in Rocket Conference: Thinking of starting a podcast, YouTube channel, or newsletter? How do you grow without losing your voice or your mind?

    Show and tell in the Rosette Theater: Share your work in a low-stakes environment! Everything from published clips to half-baked ideas are welcome. You can share via a laptop, drive, or direct streaming.

  • Session 3 topics are: 

    Pivoting in the CafetoriumHow do you use your platform to create new opportunities? Maybe you want to off-ramp or on-ramp to something new. How do you pivot?

    Lost in the edit in the IMI OfficeHow do you stay sane and maintain your voice during a big project? Have you ever bitten off more than you could chew? How did you make it out?

    Negotiation in Rocket Conference: How do you negotiate deals with sponsors, networks, co-creators, or other partners? What happens when a deal goes off the rails?

    Show and tell in the Rosette Theater: Share your work in a low-stakes environment! Everything from published clips to half-baked ideas are welcome. You can share via a laptop, drive, or direct streaming.

  • Head back to the East Austin Hotel to rest and relax.

  • Enjoy a group dinner with your fellow creators at Tamale House East!

  • Explore Austin spots like The White Horse and Whisler's. The Rooftop at the East Austin Hotel is also open for a casual drink.

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Saturday

November 16th

  • The Festival kicks off with live music and our Maker's Fair! We'll also have a taco truck and bar open. Distribution Hall is an 8 minute walk from the East Austin Hotel.

  • Hear from the 2024 IMI Award Winners about what they're they're excited about, what they're worried about, and what challenges they're facing.

  • A panel discussion about knowing vs. understanding in science communication.

    Supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

  • A live show of Joss Fong and Adam Cole's new "how do they know" show Howtown!

  • The live multimedia story of Gotham, a documentary film by Joe Posner. 

  • Audio and video premieres from your fellow creators of upcoming work.

  • Live music from Austin Americana band Restos concludes the Day part of IMI Fest.

  • Join us for dinner and the presentation of the Sloan Science Prizes for YouTube and IMI Awards.

  • End the night with Austin duo Jane Leo!

  • Thank you for coming to IMI Fest! Checkout is the morning of 11/17.

sun-03.jpg

November 15th

Friday
  • The shuttle will leave East Austin Hotel at 8:30 AM Sharp for Baker Center. We'll have a shuttle looping back and forth between locations all day in case you need to return to the hotel.

  • An important Austin cultural experience: breakfast tacos!

  • This is your chance to explore the creative community within our building! Choose an activity based on your interests and meet likeminded creators. More information on these activities to come.

  • These sessions are designed to spark organic, dynamic discussions around topics that matter most. These are meant to be private, uncensored conversations with your peers. Session 1 topics are:

    Research and inspiration in the Cafetorium: How do you find the video, audio, books, articles, papers, music, etc. that inspires and informs your work?

    Who do you create for in the IMI OfficeYourself or others? Who is “your audience”? How do you handle the post-posting blues? What happens when a beloved project flops?

    Building and managing teams in Rocket Conference: Often the hard stuff is the people stuff! When is it time to grow your team? How do you find the right people? How do you manage them?

    I'm optimistic about... in the Courtyard: Being an independent creator is tough. But what are you excited about? What’s the future media industry you want to build?

  • Gather back in the Cafetorium for a casual lunch with your new friends.

  • Session 2 topics are: 

    The Steps in the CafetoriumStrategies and gameplans for getting your work to the next level. What steps have you taken to advance your career or your work?

    Fake it til you make it in the IMI OfficeHow do you create without formal training? Independent creators have to wear every hat: how do you figure it out?

    Becoming multiplatform in Rocket Conference: Thinking of starting a podcast, YouTube channel, or newsletter? How do you grow without losing your voice or your mind?

    Show and tell in the Rosette Theater: Share your work in a low-stakes environment! Everything from published clips to half-baked ideas are welcome. You can share via a laptop, drive, or direct streaming.

  • Session 3 topics are: 

    Pivoting in the CafetoriumHow do you use your platform to create new opportunities? Maybe you want to off-ramp or on-ramp to something new. How do you pivot?

    Lost in the edit in the IMI OfficeHow do you stay sane and maintain your voice during a big project? Have you ever bitten off more than you could chew? How did you make it out?

    Negotiation in Rocket Conference: How do you negotiate deals with sponsors, networks, co-creators, or other partners? What happens when a deal goes off the rails?

    Show and tell in the Rosette Theater: Share your work in a low-stakes environment! Everything from published clips to half-baked ideas are welcome. You can share via a laptop, drive, or direct streaming.

  • Head back to the East Austin Hotel to rest and relax.

  • Enjoy a group dinner with your fellow creators at Tamale House East!

  • Explore Austin spots like The White Horse and Whisler's. The Rooftop at the East Austin Hotel is also open for a casual drink.

Saturday
sun-02.jpg
Saturday

November 16th

  • The Festival kicks off with live music and our Maker's Fair! We'll also have a taco truck and bar open. Distribution Hall is an 8 minute walk from the East Austin Hotel.

  • Hear from the 2024 IMI Award Winners about what they're they're excited about, what they're worried about, and what challenges they're facing.

  • A panel discussion about knowing vs. understanding in science communication.

    Supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

  • A live show of Joss Fong and Adam Cole's new "how do they know" show Howtown!

  • The live multimedia story of Gotham, a documentary film by Joe Posner. 

  • Audio and video premieres from your fellow creators of upcoming work.

  • Live music from Austin Americana band Restos concludes the Day part of IMI Fest.

  • Join us for dinner and the presentation of the Sloan Science Prizes for YouTube and IMI Awards.

  • End the night with Austin duo Jane Leo!

  • Thank you for coming to IMI Fest! Checkout is the morning of 11/17.

November 16th

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