SXSW decision to end US Army sponsorship spotlights political tightrope for festival organizers amid Israel-Hamas war

At the South by Southwest festival earlier this year, dozens of indie artists and speakers cancelled appearances in protest of the event’s sponsorship from US military and defense contractors amid the war between Israel and Hamas.

At the South by Southwest festival earlier this year, dozens of indie artists and speakers cancelled appearances in protest of the event’s sponsorship from US military and defense contractors amid the war between Israel and Hamas. SXSW organizers in March expressed support for the right of artists to express “free speech,” but also defended its US Army sponsorship, describing it as part of their “commitment to bring forward ideas that shape our world.” Three months after the protests, SXSW announced this week that they had dropped the US Army as a sponsor ahead of the 2025 festival. “After careful consideration, we are revising our sponsorship model,” read an official statement shared on the SXSW website. “As a result, the US Army, and companies who engage in weapons manufacturing, will not be sponsors of SXSW 2025.” When reached by CNN, a spokesperson for SXSW declined to comment further on the decision. In a statement, a spokesperson for the US Army did not address the separation from SXSW, but said they will continue to seek opportunities in creative industries.