Program highlights at the me Convention in Frankfurt, September 11-13 2019

22.

August 2019

Stuttgart/Frankfurt

Stuttgart/Frankfurt – In just three weeks, from September 11 to 13, the me Convention will be welcoming thousands of visitors to Frankfurt. This year's confirmed speakers include Laura Dekker, the youngest person to sail around the globe alone, and surfer Léa Brassy. In their talk they will share their personal experiences of pushing boundaries. In another duo talk, international filmmakers Martha Fiennes and Gulrukh Khan will offer insight into the possibilities that artificial intelligence (AI) opens up for the future of film. And for those who want to know more about one of the world’s most successful television series, director Jeanie Finlay and special effects expert Delroy Reid will reveal behind-the-scenes secrets. The documentary "Game of Thrones – The Last Watch" about the making of this epic show was recently nominated for an Emmy.

Talk: Thursday, September 12, 2019, 10:00 – 10:45 am
In 2010, the world watched with anticipation when Laura Dekker, at the age of 14, began her attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Two years later, she successfully completed her mission, becoming the youngest person ever to sail around the world alone. She’ll speak with French surfer Léa Brassy about how they manage to constantly push themselves to the limits, overcome extreme situations and pursue their visions without external support.

Talk: Thursday, September 12, 2019, 12:45 – 1:30 pm
New technological developments and contemporary art are important influences for the multifaceted work of award-winning filmmaker Martha Fiennes. Her earlier films gained international recognition, and in recent years, Martha has been working with artificial intelligence to create large-format moving-image works of art. Her latest AI film, "Yugen," starring actress Salma Hayek Pinault, premiered in 2018 at the Venice Film Festival. During the me Convention, Martha Fiennes will share her thoughts with award-winning filmmaker Gulrukh Khan as they explore “Infinity in Art through AI.”

Talk: Thursday, September 12, 2019, 2:00 – 2:45 pm
In their talk Jeanie Finlay and Delroy Reid will offer exciting insights into the creation of one of the most successful television shows ever: “Game of Thrones.” In her two-hour documentary "Game of Thrones: The Last Watch," which was recently nominated for an Emmy for outstanding music composition, she shines a light on the work of the people behind the scenes, including designers, craftsmen, extras and cinematographers.

One of the heroes in the background is special effects expert Delroy Reid. As the show’s “Head of Snow,” he was responsible for creating an enormous amount of artificial snow during the complete series production. His winter-weather expertise has also been featured in many other Hollywood productions, such as "The Day After Tomorrow" and "Captain America: The First Avenger."

me Convention schedule
The final details and the confirmed talk slots will soon be available in the me Convention schedule that is being updated on a regular basis. The additional information about these and other international speakers as well as the different session formats can be found on the official me Convention website: me-convention.com.

A me Convention ticket gives participants full access to the entire three-day (and evening) event program, including talks, interactive and mentor sessions, DJ sets and parties. Tickets are currently available for €350 (incl. VAT).

Press accreditation for the me Convention Frankfurt 2019
Interested journalists are welcome to apply for press accreditation online. Following accreditation, press attendees are free to attend all activities related the me Convention. In addition, the PR team can offer assistance scheduling interviews with me Conventions speakers. Register for press accreditation at: https://www.me-convention.com/pressaccreditation.

About the me Convention
The me Convention is a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and SXSW. This annual gathering explores major issues and promising ideas for society, business, science and our planet. Under the motto “create the new”, the third edition of the me Convention will bring together 3,000 curious, critical and engaged minds from across the globe. This event offers an environment that welcomes multiple perspectives, stimulates critical thinking and encourages experimentation to find concrete ways to bring our desired future closer to reality.

About SXSW
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, TX, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film and music industries. The event, an essential destination for global professionals, features conference programming, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together.

About Mercedes-Benz
Resources for the press regarding the me Convention is available at: https://media.mercedes-benz.com/meconvention2019