Matthew Inman of The Oatmeal speaks onstage during the 2013 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival. (Photo by Amy E. Price/Getty Images)

A few places in the world that havens for content-craving cinephiles, music lovers, and techies, SXSW is one such a place and might just be the epicentre of awesome in the Western world. As far as festivals go, SXSW has been crowned a leader for its diverse offerings that encompass almost every medium and its ability to host thousands of bands from around the world. The festival’s origin is rooted in music, but the focus expanded to encompass film, technological innovation and media conferences to engage and involve audiences in the collaborations that are the core of SXSW’s success.

SXSW found its home in Austin, Texas, 27 years ago, and since its inception it has continue to expand to incorporate new audiences and mediums, ensuring that everyone from entrepreneurs looking to start a company to hackers trying to democratize innovation will find a place to create and be inspired. Many of the elements of SXSW are free and open to the public; it is this accessibility in combination with the interdisciplinary nature of the festival that has made it an inspiring creative space. If you are planning on packing your bags and heading to Austin, tickets will run between $625 to $795, which might be a little expensive. However, keep in mind that the gathering offers one of the most eclectic lineups of bands hailing from Canada to Singapore. A unique part of the festival is putting legendary artists like Prince) alongside up-and-coming bands like Current Swell and July Talk.

If you’re not interested in the likes of Prince and prefer something visual, there is a host of filmic gatherings and screenings to choose from. Between the feature film and shorts programmes there are 17 categories, offering over 700 films from every corner of the world and genre of filmmaking. SXSW also plays host to entrepreneurs and investors who will shape the future of the entertainment industry through Startup Alley. In typical SXSW fashion they strive to cover every angle, including unearthing the exciting directions taken by storytellers in an evolving web environment through the Digital Domain. SXSW’s Digital Domain explores everything from web series and interactive documentaries, to data visualization and infographics.

SXSW offers a stimulating environment for people with interests as diverse as comedy, technology, gaming and even preserving the art of poster making. The festival has become a tour de force because it allows cross-pollination – filmmakers can meet artists, investors and record labels can discover new and upcoming projects, while the fans, the people who drive the festival and the industry, are at the center of this evolving creative space.

SXSW continues to dominate not only because of its headlining acts and keynote speakers, but because audiences and creatives are interested in multiple mediums and genres—and the festival provides a gateway into this world. For those of us who will be unable to attend, there is always SXSW radio, which can be streamed online, giving us a little taste of the SXSW magic.