Al Franken to Speak at South by Southwest

Comedian and Political Satire Writer to Participate in an Interview With Texas Monthly at SXSW Interactive and SXSW Film

The South by Southwest Interactive Festival and Film Conference are pleased to announce author, talk radio pundit, comedian, actor, and potential U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken's live one-on-one interview with Evan Smith of Texas Monthly from 3:30 - 4:15 pm on Monday afternoon, March 14, at the Austin Convention Center.

In the 1970s, Franken helped transform the face of modern comedy and more recently, he has helped change the face of modern political commentary via his best-selling books and the Air America broadcast network. Franken boasts five Emmy's for his writing and producing, two Grammy's for audio versions of his books, and four New York Times best-sellers for "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot"; "Why Not Me?"; "Oh, the Things I Know: A Guide to Success, Or, Failing That, Happiness"; and "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them."

Franken launched "The O'Franken Factor" with co-host Katherine Lanpher on Air America Radio March 31, 2004, which airs weekdays from 12 to 3 pm. "The O'Franken Factor" is in its first year and astoundingly, more listeners tune in to his show on the Internet than they do on the radio.

In his interview with Evan Smith, Franken will offer his perspectives on the future of Internet radio, American politics, and life in the Lone Star State. At 4:30, Franken will conduct a brief book-signing in the SXSW Interactive/Film Trade Show.

"We're very excited that Al Franken will be participating at SXSW. Given his experiences with Air America, he's got a lot of unique perspectives on the power of Internet radio versus more traditional broadcasting paradigms," says Hugh Forrest, SXSW Interactive Event Director. "Moreover, my understanding is that he has a very dynamic stage presence, so I'm sure he'll be a popular speaker."

This session will be open to SXSW Film and Interactive conference registrants, as well as Gold and Platinum badge wearers. To register for the SXSW Interactive, click to http://www.sxsw.com/attend/. For more information or to request press credentials for SXSW Interactive, e-mail Amy Kugali at interpress@sxsw.com

SXSW Interactive Festival

Scheduled March 11-15, the SXSW Interactive Festival brings together uber-geeks and digital creatives from around the world for four days of keynote speeches, panels, the iF! Trade Show & Exhibition, and numerous exciting evening activities. Other speakers this year include Malcolm Gladwell (author), Ana Maria Cox (Wonkette), Bram Cohen (Bit Torrent), Michael Robertson (mp3tunes.com), and hundreds of other innovative industry leaders.

SXSW Film Festival

Now in its 12th year, the SXSW Film Festival is an annual celebration of film -- a weeklong opportunity to view, discuss, and explore all aspects of film creation and production, from screenwriting through distribution. Special events this year include the world premier of "The Wendell Baker Story" starring Luke and Owen Wilson and Directed by Andrew and Luke Wilson.

For more information on SXSW, visit: http://www.sxsw.com

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