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Variety<\/em> will host its inaugural True Crime Summit at SXSW<\/strong> presented by Investigation Discovery on March 13, convening the most influential voices behind one of entertainment\u2019s most dominant and culturally resonant genres.<\/p>\n This full-day event, open to all festival badgeholders, will explore the enduring global obsession with stories of mystery, justice and deception, from prestige documentaries and investigative journalism to hit television series and chart-topping podcasts. Across film, television and audio, crime storytelling continues to captivate audiences and reshape the entertainment landscape, and Variety\u2019s<\/em> SXSW gathering will put the creators, executives and experts driving that momentum center stage.<\/p>\n The day will open with a Keynote conversation featuring Nancy Grace, legal commentator and host of \u201cCrime Stories with Nancy Grace,\u201d in discussion with Dea Lawrence, co-president and publisher of Variety<\/em>. Grace will offer her perspective on the evolution of crime coverage, the responsibility of reporting on real-life cases, and why audiences remain transfixed by the pursuit of justice.<\/p>\n \u201cAs true crime series, movies, and podcasts continue to grow in popularity, Variety<\/em> recognizes the value of connecting fans with creators and experts in the genre,\u201d said Lawrence. \u201cWe are pleased to partner with Investigation Discovery on the inaugural True The program will also spotlight how ID is redefining the genre through its \u201cDocbuster\u201d programming strategy. Moderated by Emily Longeretta, director of features at Variety<\/em>, this session will explore how event-level documentaries can be urgent and impactful while remaining empathetic and rooted in the voices most affected. Jason Sarlanis, President, TNT, TBS, TruTV, ID and HLN, will join producers Mary Robertson of Maxine Productions, Christina Douglas of Momentum Content and Elli Hakami of Talos Films to discuss breakout hits including \u201cQuiet on Set,\u201d \u201cThe Fall of Diddy,\u201d \u201cLost Women of Alaska,\u201d \u201cHouse of Hammer\u201d and \u201cThe Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story,\u201d and talk about how women are helping reshape the future of true crime storytelling.<\/p>\n In \u201cMasters of Investigative Reporting<\/strong>,\u201d moderator Kate Aurthur, Editor-at-Large at Variety<\/em>, will lead a conversation examining what it takes to translate true crime events into compelling narratives for audiences. Panelists Valerie Bauerlein of The Wall Street Journal<\/em>, Karolina Waclawiak of BuzzFeed Studios, Elizabeth Chambers of \u201cToxic,\u201d Tyson Wrensch, featured in \u201cTrue Crime Presents: American Hustlers,\u201d Andrew Goldman of \u201cDead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder,\u201d and Natalie Morales of \u201c48 Hours\u201d will discuss emerging trends in investigative work, from collaborating with law enforcement to engaging audiences for tips, and the craft of shaping facts into powerful storytelling.<\/p>\n Kate Aurthur will also sit down for a fireside chat with John Allen, widely known as MrBallen and creator and host of \u201cMrBallen\u2019s Strange, Dark and Mysterious Stories.\u201d The conversation will delve into the meteoric rise of digital-first crime storytelling and the art of captivating audiences across platforms.<\/p>\n Hooman Shahidi, Chief Product Officer, SimpliSafe will participate in the session \u2018Stopping the Story Before It Starts<\/strong>,\u2019 exploring how new technology is enabling improved protection for loved ones at home and interrupting crime before it unfolds.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Booming Business of True Crime Storytelling<\/strong>,\u201d moderated by Variety<\/em> reporter Ethan Shanfeld, will examine the genre\u2019s explosive growth and increasingly competitive landscape. Jonathan Hirsch of Sony Music Entertainment, Kate Navin of Audible, EricSandler of Pushkin Industries, Eva Pilgrim of Inside Edition and David Karabinas of Texas Crew Productions will explore strategies for breaking through, expanding global audiences and sustaining momentum as the field becomes more crowded.<\/p>\n A special session will offer a closer look at \u201cThe Red Weather,\u201d the podcast created by Rider Strong, blending a personal real-life narrative with a fictional true-crime mystery. In conversation with Emily Longeretta, Strong will discuss the creative risks and storytelling techniques behind merging memoir and mystery.<\/p>\n \u201cBreaking Through: True Crime at SXSW<\/strong>\u201d will look at standout true crime projects premiering at the festival and the stories audiences will be talking about through 2026. Moderated by Kate Aurthur, the panel will feature filmmakers Chlo\u00e9 Rochereuil (\u201cCrafting Crimes: The Mona Lisa Heist\u201d), Bayan Joonam (\u201cPhoenix Jones: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Superhero\u201d), Rachel Mason (\u201cMy Brother\u2019s Killer\u201d), Sidney Fussell and Jennifer Holness (\u201cWhile Black\u201d), and Patricia E. Gillespie (\u201c#Skyking\u201d).<\/p>\n The summit will conclude with \u201cTrue Crime TV Fan Favorites<\/strong>,\u201d moderated by Variety\u2019s<\/em> Emily Longeretta, bringing together leading producers behind today\u2019s most talked-about series. Jane Lipsitz (\u201cHomicide: LA,\u201d \u201cHomicide: NY\u201d), Patrick MacManus (\u201cDevil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy\u201d), Michael D. Fuller (\u201cMurdaugh: Death in the Family\u201d), Beth Karas (\u201cCurious Case of…\u201d), Kevin Fitzpatrick (\u201cEvil Lives Here\u201d) and Donald Albright of Tenderfoot TV will discuss how they select cases, balance truth-seeking with respect for victims\u2019 families, and creatively shape stories that continue to resonate with viewers.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue crime remains one of today\u2019s most captivating genres, continuously sparking culturally shifting conversations. At Investigation Discovery, we\u2019re incredibly proud to lead the space, delivering storytelling that is compelling, nuanced, and powerful,\u201d said Jason Sarlanis, President of ID. \u201cPartnering with an esteemed outlet like Variety<\/em> on the inaugural True Crime Summit underscores just how significant and dynamic this genre has become, and we\u2019re honored that the creativity and care we put into our work is being recognized as part of the movement driving important conversations across our society.\u201d<\/p>\n As appetite for crime content continues to surge, Variety\u2019s<\/em> inaugural SXSW summit will serve as a must-attend destination for industry leaders and fans alike \u2014 unpacking the storytelling craft, ethical considerations and business strategies driving one of
\nCrime Summit, offering the SXSW audience direct access to the creative minds behind leading documentaries, series and podcasts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nentertainment\u2019s most powerful and enduring genres.<\/p>\n