Presenting the 16th annual slate of honorees …
ACTIVISM
Green, governmental and non-profit projects that are striving to make the world a better place.
Winner: Wikipedia Zero
AMUSEMENT
Humor, memes, games, interesting projects and all the stuff that is weird for the sake of weird.
Winner: Contre Jour
ART
From traditional photography to non-traditional performances, this category focuses on interactive collections of life, society and culture.
Winner: Lost Art
BUSINESS
Devoted to the promotional needs, functions and services of for-profit businesses.
Winner: VIP Fridge Magnet
CLASSIC
While the SXSW Interactive Awards focus on the best new digital experiences, this category is devoted to projects that launched before Jan. 1, 2012.
Winner: BioDigital Human
COMMUNITY
Social networks and wikis that have quickly developed an extraordinarily active multi-user community and an exceptional following of users who assist with content development.
Winner: SoundCloud
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE
From elementary school learning to advanced technology-related tips, these are digital projects that help you learn.
Winner: ChronoZoom
EXPERIMENTAL
These are cutting-edge and trend-setting works that are pushing the envelope and challenging our perceptions of what’s possible.
Winner: Chrome Web Lab
FILM/TV
Projects related to actors, television, films and the film industry, as well as works that offer streaming video content.
Winner: The Beauty Inside
MOTION GRAPHICS
Animations, cartoons, and other intriguing works built using tools like Adobe Flash and HTML5.
Winner: Air Jordan 2012
MUSIC
Projects related to musicians, bands, and the music industry, as well online radio and other developments that offer streaming audio content.
Winner: JAM with Chrome
PERSONAL
The blogs, portfolios, pet projects and personal collections of individuals who are displaying their work and passions in the digital space.
Winner: Marco Rosella
SOCIAL MEDIA
Users and campaigns that are creatively connecting and sharing their experience.
Winner: NASA Mars Curiosity Rover
STUDENT
This category is devoted exclusively to the student designers who are refreshing this industry with new talent and new ideas.
Winner: Living Galapagos
TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
These are the projects that are re-inventing and re-defining the technical parameters of our online experience.
Winner: Nike+ FuelBand
SPECIAL HONORS:
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
The online public’s favorite finalist site from the competition. Voting begins when the finalists are revealed in late January.
Winner: Charity Miles
BREAKOUT DIGITAL TREND
The trend that gained the most traction during SXSW Interactive 2013.
Winner: Leap Motion
SPEAKER OF THE EVENT
The speaker from SXSW Interactive 2013 whose presentation makes the biggest impact on the digital community.
Winner: Cory Booker – “Cory Booker: The New Media Politician“
DIGITAL CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
The best interactive campaign from the 2012 calendar year as voted by the judges.
Winner: Invisible Children: KONY 2012
BEST OF SHOW
The judges’ favorite finalist website from the competition.
Winner: Contre Jour
Category descriptions courtesy of South by Southwest. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements from SXSW, and check out the Film Awards here.
This article appears in March 8 • 2013.