- Coming up on "Austin InSight," the revamped South By Southwest is over.

What was it like?

And an update on 6th Street.

Is it safer now that it's been reopened to traffic?

"Austin InSight" starts now.

- [Narrator] Support for "Austin InSight" comes from Sally and James Gavin, and also from Daniel L. Skret.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) - Hi there and thanks for joining us.

I'm Laura Laughead.

This is 40 for South By Southwest, and a revamped festival marked this milestone.

While official attendance data is not available yet, South By leaders have indicated it's on par with last year, but even with no convention center and fewer days, the festival this year actually didn't seem smaller.

Here's a look at the highlights from South By Southwest 2026.

(energetic music) (energetic music) (patrons chattering) - [Laura] From Peaky Blinders.

- Dude, that is gangster.

- [Laura] To launchpads.

- I feel like Austin is gonna be, is actually the new Silicon Valley of space.

- [Laura] To performances.

- The energy is still here.

- [Laura] And even Paul Rudd.

- Very awesome music town, that's for sure.

- [Laura] The 40th South By Southwest was another mission accomplished.

Just ask this recent Austin Transplant.

- Like I'm fan-girling right now.

As they say, keep Austin weird, so I can't wait to see the weirdness that comes with Austin.

(laughing) - [Laura] Or this family from Nebraska.

- It's definitely different.

I like it though.

We don't want to go back to Nebraska.

- [Laura] Or this local.

- In fact, I'm the eighth generation Austinite.

This is awesome to see.

I used to go with my mom and dad when I was really young.

- [Laura] Texas, of course, took the festival's starring role.

- Two, one.

- [Laura] Visitors could play Cowboy inside Texan Taylor Sheridan's "Yellowstone" Universe at this pop-up by Paramount Plus.

(sewing machine rattling) You could survey "Landman's" West Texas oil fields or the frontier of "Marshals."

You could even get out some rage in this UFC ring.

- He's going to nail me.

He's got this down.

- [Laura] Also in our orbit was Space House, South By's first ever activation on the new and commercial space industry that's taking off in Austin.

- I think the biggest and most important message is how space affects our daily lives, all of us.

- [Laura] More than 7,000 people RSVP to hear discussions from astronauts and top space leaders, like the Johnson Space Center and Blue Origin, as well as local companies like Firefly and the event sponsor, CesiumAstro.

CesiumAstro just announced a 270,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Bee Cave.

- So we have the universities, we have the talent, and we have the space out here.

And then also we have the support of the governor and other local officials that see what we see.

It's only going up from here.

It, there's no stopping us now.

- [Laura] Meanwhile, a new movie brought us back down to Earth.

Now we're at the premiere of "Family Movie," starring Kira Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon that was shot here in Austin.

It's a movie made by a family about a family making a movie.

A horror comedy, to be exact.

Family movie follows a family making a low budget slasher when a real body turns up on set.

Kevin and Kira, who co-directed, play parents to their real life kids, Travis and Sosie.

It was the first acting role for Travis.

- I was just concerned how my performance would play against these GOATs that have been doing it forever, you know?

And I figured if we're gonna do this together in any sort of way, like, I want it to be insane, and this movie's totally insane.

- Sosie has followed in her father's footsteps as a scream queen.

- I absolutely love Texas.

I've been here a million times.

We were in the country.

It was hot.

It was the summer.

It really added to the feel of the movie.

We're all, like, sweaty, we're bloody.

- [Laura] They filmed most of the movie in Round Top.

- But it was fricking hot.

- [Laura] But what's it like working with your family?

- We all get along really well, but we definitely had our concerns about potentially having some tension.

But then when we got to set, it's like it all just dissipated and I would recommend families that wanna connect, do something creative together.

- I mean, the pride that I had you know, in the kids and the way that they handled it, it was absolutely magical.

We weren't in the same house, but we were living three houses next to each other, so that was amazing too.

- I mean, it would be such a better story if it's like, "Well, it was really difficult.

You know, we had a lot of problems."

But it was just magic, you know?

I mean, I think it was sort of beyond our wildest dreams.

- [Laura] Some other cast members got to involve their families too.

- I brought my son.

He was six months old.

He's in it.

- His film debut.

- His film debut, six months.

It only took me like 100 years.

- [Laura] Co-star and former YouTuber, Liza Koshy from Houston, gave everyone some resident Texpert advice.

- Made sure everybody went to Buc-ee's, made sure everybody went to Papa's, Pappasito's, Pappadeaux.

We all got Tex-Mex.

They were so sweet and so kind.

I was like, "This is a look too good to be true.

I need someone to be a D-bag."

- [Laura] A dynamic we witnessed in real time.

- I didn't want to interrupt you, but- - Hi.

How are you?

- [Laura] She's just singing your praises.

- It was a good jump scare for a horror movie.

- You're so, you're so close, I could not, not say hi.

- [Laura] We even surprised Kira, a well-known chocoholic on and off screen, with some of Austin's finest from Lammes Candies.

- Thank you so much.

- [Laura] It was also a family affair for new movie "Campeon Gabacho," produced by Oscar winner Alfonso Cuaron and directed by his son, Jonas.

- I think it's like the perfect festival for this movie.

- I think the movie is so timely.

- Never seen an immigrant story told this way.

- [Laura] It tells a story of Liborio, a young migrant who crosses the Rio Grande to escape a harsh reality in Mexico and find a better life.

Along the way, he becomes an amateur boxer and falls in love.

- At the end it's an uplifting movie, coming of age story about a teenager just trying to define himself.

I think sometimes we talk about immigration and immigrants just as a concept without realizing they're humans with dreams, with a past, with romance.

(interviewee speaking Spanish) - [Laura] Comedy legend Cheech Marin also stars as the ailing grandfather of Liborio's love interest.

- It was an interesting role for me, you know, there wasn't... I mean, I don't get out of bed, basically, you know?

So, like, right up my alley.

- It's kind of ideal.

- Yeah.

- [Laura] Panamanian actor, Carlos Carrasco, reunited with his longtime friend, musician and actor Ruben Blades, on the film.

- This movie clearly has good taste because you have two Panamanians in it.

- [Laura] Important conversations were also happening at the conference.

PBS CEO, Paula Kerger, discussed the defunding.

- What was it that you did that made you a target?

- Tell the truth.

(audience clapping) I mean, I don't know.

I don't know what.

- [Laura] This while outside, PBS fans braved the cold to take photos with Clifford and Daniel the Tiger, and do their best impression of the PBS logo.

And one of the coolest new things at this year's South By is a block party on Congress Avenue that's free and open to the public.

You could check out some pop-ups like Laura Geller makeup, get some sweet treats and drinks, take photos, or just hang out.

Across the street, you could step back in time from 2026 to 1926 into the world of "Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man."

With custom whiskey drinks, a tattoo station, tintypes, and your own flat cap, it's enough to make even Tommy Shelby crack a smile.

Do I look like a Peaky Blinder?

This super fan got one of the free haircuts.

- I was a bowl cut guy in the '90s.

spiked hair in the 2000s, and I got the John Shelby, so I wanted to get the low, low cut on the sides.

(energetic music) - But it wouldn't be a true South By without the music.

(energetic music) We caught up with this local artist.

- And I actually met some people here in South By and it carried me to LA, and then I got, like, put on world tours and different things from South By, but South By was, like, the seed that initially gave me the push.

(energetic music) - And these fellow Austin artists at KAZI's R&B showcase.

(energetic music) Moe Lotti has played South By about 10 times.

- To play it is such an honor.

You know, I freaked out the first time I was ever official.

The second time I was like, "Oh my God, it's happening again."

(energetic music) - [Laura] Chief Cleopatra, who played Austin PBS's showcase Bloody Mary Morning last year, has played the festival about six times.

- It's nice to see, to see South By support local artists still.

There's a lot of underrepresented artists here that, you know, need to spotlight on them.

- I think that it's important that we continue to highlight our local artists so that, you know, we can represent in Austin and Texas and beyond.

♪ And in my head I paint a picture ♪ - [Laura] It's organizations like the Health Alliance for Austin musicians, HAAM, who help support their work.

A mission on full display at HAAM's annual Ray Benson Birthday Bash.

The Asleep at the Wheel front man's 75th, and the last Birthday Bash with HAAM.

The event raised more than $400,000.

- We're just so happy to celebrate with Ray tonight and hope that the community will continue to support live music in Austin.

Anytime you go out to see music, please put money in the tip jar.

- [Laura] Finally, the South By, the power of music and film combined.

Next, we're at the Paramount for the premiere of "Power Ballad," starring Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd.

(gentle music) Paul Rudd plays opposite Nick Jonas as a wedding singer who bonds with a former boy band star.

- There was moments where I thought, is it too close to my personal experience and you know, that's when it became important for me to really think about carving out who this guy is and not just doing a version of myself.

- [Laura] The duo makes music until the boy band star steals one of the songs and turns it into a hit.

(energetic music) It's directed by John Carney, known for his musical films.

It was a first musical for Paul Rudd.

- I was so impressed by his musicality and what he brought to it, you know, with the live singing and playing and it was just, you know, a big step for him to do that, but he just knocked it out of the park.

- [Laura] And they all agree Austin is the best place to see it first.

- It's such a fun festival.

The atmosphere is terrific.

And I think that, you know, this one is pure John Carney, which is music in it, and life affirming and feel good.

- As I was landing at the airport, I saw the big sign that said live music capital of the world, and I was thinking, "What a great place to launch this film."

- The day we sat down to write this film together, myself and John, if you told us that we were gonna premiere this film in America at this festival in this citadel of music, we would've taken your arm off at the shoulder.

We would've been so happy.

We'd have been like, "That's the dream come true."

- And fun fact, that Irish writer really loves Waylon Jennings.

For all of the fun of the activations and the celebrity sightings, South By is serious business for Austin with important economic impact to the tune of several hundred million dollars every year.

So its success now and in the future matters greatly.

But recent events like the West 6th Street shooting made safety a top concern for South By and other upcoming major events.

Of course, it's east or so-called Dirty Six that typically has perennial safety problems.

The city made a big change reopening E6 to vehicular traffic, but a little over a year later, has that made it any safer?

Our local government reporter, Sam Stark, is here with more.

Sam, the data doesn't seem to indicate a dramatic difference.

- Yeah, that's correct, Laura.

Following a 2021 shooting along East 6th Street that killed one and injured 14 others, the city passed the Safer 6th Street initiative to kickstart the district's evolution.

Reopening the street to traffic on weekend nights has been one of the program's most significant changes to date.

Over a year later, the city is arguing it has made the district safer.

But according to our review of police data, the shift appears to have made a little difference so far.

(energetic music) Live music, those flashing lights, and the crowds.

6th Street is known for everything rowdy, (energetic music) including crime.

- Yeah, it's a little... yeah, it can be a little grimy, a little bit, a little bit.

- [Sam] For years, the city closed 6th Street to vehicle traffic on weekend nights, creating what felt like a block party, where visitors could bounce between the many bars and clubs along the strip.

But concerns about safety and crowd control eventually pushed police and city leaders to reverse course.

By January 2025, cars were permitted to drive down the bustling street, and the pedestrian area was expanded to accommodate the crowds.

People who work along 6th Street feel mixed about the change, saying it may add more structure, but many of the same behaviors remain.

- Less crime?

Yeah, I think you could deter more things because it can keep big groups from gathering, and especially, you know, once the liquor gets involved, the groups get into fighting.

- [Sam] Review of crime data shows that not much has changed since the street reopened.

In 2025, APD recorded 78 violent crimes in the 6th Street Entertainment District.

In 2024, the year before, the department recorded around 10 fewer at 67.

Still, the Austin Police Department stands by the decision, agreeing it adds structure to the district and is aligned with the city's long-term plans for the street.

- There's a 25% decrease in officer use of force and officer injuries down there that we've reported on, and that's substantial, right?

- [Sam] Assistant Chief Mike Chancellor said also the now car-friendly street allows officers to move about more easily.

- That's creating what we've been talking about from the beginning, is some type of structure down there, right?

In that area where, you know, it's not a free for all.

- [Sam] The work along Dirty Six won't stop here.

These barricades placed along the street to protect pedestrians are not permanent, but instead, placeholders until the city can execute its long-term plans.

- There's been a long-term redesign plan for 6th Street to widen the sidewalks, reduce traffic lanes, and improve pedestrian and vehicular safety on the street.

- [Sam] Late last year, city staff chose this 68 million dollar design, building upon the weekend traffic pilot.

It would add 25 foot sidewalks on both sides, two westbound lanes and a curb lane for pickups and deliveries.

The goal, to expand the district's reputation as not only a fun place to go out, but also a place to visit at all times of the day.

- You know, what is to be gained is a district that is not just happening, you know, four or five nights a week from 10 at night till two in the morning, but one that's active 18 hours a day, seven days a week.

(energetic music) - And Laura, the Downtown Austin Alliance said money to execute that $68 million design plan will likely need to come from a bond election, which the city has yet to call.

- Well, stay tuned for that.

Good to know, Sam.

Thank you so much for your report.

- Thanks for having me.

(energetic music) - Across Austin, advocates say the local immigrant community, whether documented or not, exists in an atmosphere dominated by fear.

About 300,000 immigrants live in the city.

Experts say about one third or 100,000 are undocumented.

According to community leaders and advocates, this climate of fear is the result of the Trump administration's aggressive and controversial immigration enforcement efforts.

All of this is especially prominent in the Rundberg area in north central Austin, where our Decibel community reporting team is based.

Multimedia journalist Jackie Ibarra joins us now with an update.

Jackie.

- Laura, as you know, we made a decision to remain in Rundberg for a second year because a lot was still happening in the community, especially around immigration.

We've been checking in with community leaders who say things have gotten worse.

- Isn't it crazy it's been a year?

One year when we started.

Yeah.

- [Narrator] From all over South America, we got Afghanistan students, students from Iraq, different parts of Africa.

Rundberg is that area where it's still affordable.

- There is a sense of fear always.

Because of all the talk about the deportations and the, I mean, all that stuff, in the next year, that fear is gonna be hyped 110%.

150.

160.

- Because of all the talk about the deportations and that America is- - Rundberg is America.

Rundberg is America in every sense of the way.

(energetic music) You know, I mean, that is, it's tough to see.

It's a year later and things, things are still... They're actually worse than they were a year ago.

(tense music) You know, even a year ago, I knew that there was gonna be fear, but even then, I didn't realize how grand of a scale that was gonna be.

I think people are really afraid of being kicked out of America.

I talked about this community policing a year ago.

(car door clicking) (video tape hissing) Bringing back that community aspect of not being afraid of calling or talking to the police are important for a neighborhood like this.

So a year ago, we were far from that.

Now, we're just miles and miles away from that.

You know, you have, you know, immigration enforcement out.

They're able to question anybody.

I think a lot of people are fearful because of their status.

They might just get kicked out tomorrow, and then what happens to their families?

(students chattering) Just this year, we had three students that did not enroll because their parents were scared to enroll them.

But at the end of the day, for me to be telling a dad, "Hey, they have to come to school," and for him to tell me, "I wanna make sure he gets home."

Like, that's tough.

We've had tons of stories.

I mean, we've had a mom that, you know, she got deported and, you know, she was just out buying groceries and then she just never came back.

(tense music) I can help somebody with food.

I can give them a backpack.

I can try to get them shoes.

You know, we can do all these great things, but that's not gonna solve their parents getting deported.

(tense music) I do fear that the next three years are gonna be tough.

Funding for different programs are getting hit, but we are seeing a lot more need.

We've seen numbers go up because folks are having a tough time working or somebody, you know, the person that was making the money has been deported.

(tense music) And it's crazy because a neighborhood like Rundberg, it's hardworking people.

It just feels like an uphill battle trying to help people right now.

There's so many people that should be welcomed.

Like Rundberg is this place where everybody's welcome.

So it's been a year and what would I tell myself if I could go back?

Gosh, I would tell myself so many things, but I would tell myself that the little things count.

(patrons chattering) Sometimes I wanna do these big things and I wanna help thousands, you know, hundreds of people, like, just help one person at that moment, and then help the next person, and then help the next person, and you'll get there.

- Community leaders like Carrasco are constantly trying to assist those in need, but fear of getting arrested and possibly deported remains high.

We're covering how that's impacting so many aspects of life in Rundberg.

- Jackie, thank you so much, and we'll look forward to the ongoing coverage of Rundberg for Decibel.

(energetic music) As the Austin food scene grows ever more sophisticated and evermore Michelin star studded, we wanted to tell you about a new and decidedly more unsnobby, but still delicious food event.

It's called the Austin Hot Dog Safari.

And here with more on that is Zak Drummond from local hot dog catering company, Zee's Wiener System.

Zak, thank you so much for joining us.

- Of course.

Thanks for having me.

- Okay, Zak, for a little background first.

- Yes.

- When you think of hot dogs, most people instantly think of New York, Chicago, personally I love Chicago hot dog.

- Yeah.

- Or just baseball stadiums.

They don't really think of Austin.

Are we here missing an important aspect of the food scene?

- I think any self-respecting city deserves a robust hot dog community.

- Amen to that.

- Yeah.

New York, Chicago, I'm from the small state of Rhode Island with a very healthy hot dog scene.

And you know, it goes without saying hot dogs are a popular food no matter where you go, and they deserve a little bit more attention.

- And even the name of your joint, Zee's Wiener System relates to some very important Rhode Island hot dog lore, right?

- Oh yeah, absolutely.

So when I started Zee's, it was pure Rhode Island worship, pure a tip of the cap to growing up in New England.

So in Rhode Island, we call them hot wieners, not hot dogs, so wiener.

And all of the spots I grew up going to were all called New York system.

So I just jammed wiener and system together and here we are.

- So at the risk of stating the obvious, there's an age old debate.

Is a hot dog a sandwich?

It's definitely not a taco, which is like the food currency here in Austin.

- Absolutely.

- So what's your opinion?

Once and for all, the hot dog expert, is a hot dog a sandwich and where does it fit in Austin's culinary story?

- To be asked this on camera is my personal nightmare.

- Really?

Oh, I'm sorry to do you like that.

Wedded it out.

- But this is, this is how I really feel.

- Okay.

- A hot dog isn't a sandwich.

- Okay.

You heard it here first.

- Definitively.

I have friends who disagree very strongly.

But this is how I think about it.

If you said to your friend, "Hey, would you like me to make you a sandwich?"

And they said, "Yes."

And then you handed them a hot dog, would you expect them to be satisfied?

Satisfied in some ways, sure.

I'm happy there's a hot dog here, but you said sandwich.

- Mm-hmm.

- So that's it.

- That is such an excellent point.

I feel like there are think pieces, there's critical analyses that could come out of this conversation.

I'm in your camp, vehemently in your camp.

- Oh, thank you.

I'm so glad.

I'm so glad.

- To validate you who here with the power of PBS.

So now, tell us about the Hot Dog Safari.

What exactly is it has such a great name and why is it happening here?

- The Hot Dog Safari is a great event that started in Worcester, Massachusetts about 15 years ago.

It really started with a family who was going around town eating all the hot dogs and deciding which one was best.

- Noble.

- It's gone on every year in Worcester, since then and has now grown to other cities, New Orleans, Naples, Florida, Portland, Maine.

And I was lucky enough to participate as a vendor in New Orleans in the Safari last year.

Had a great time, went up to Worcester last summer.

Again, brought my family, had an awesome time, had about a thousand people come out in Worcester eating hot dogs all over town and just made great friends with the folks that organized the Safaris and decided that Austin would be a great landing place for it.

- Well, and we are so grateful that it is coming here to Austin.

And, you know, for the people who may be unfamiliar with your game in the hot dog business.

- Sure.

- Where can we find you?

And apparently you pop up at all sorts of events, even weddings, am I right?

- Yes.

Yes.

In the last week alone, I've been at music festivals, weddings, everywhere, bookstores, you know, anywhere that somebody might need a hot dog, I try to be that hot dog.

- Okay.

And you never know when you're gonna be somewhere where you might spontaneously need a hot dog.

- I agree.

- We were just talking about it.

You've done weddings.

I feel like baby showers are great, even maybe a funeral one day.

- I would love it.

I would love it.

- Okay.

Let's make it happen.

Hopefully not anytime soon, but let's make it happen.

- Right, right.

- Well, we are so looking forward to this Hot Dog Safari, Zak.

It's a great thing with a great purpose in mind.

Thank you so much and best of luck to you on the inaugural Hot Dog Safari here in Austin.

- Thank you so much.

(energetic music) - Before we go, a big thank you and bittersweet goodbye to a member of the Austin InSight team.

Our news graphic designer and data reporter, Meredith Roberts, is leaving us this week to join the data reporting team at the Austin American Statesman.

From intern to full-time professional, Meredith's designs and animations have earned her a Lone Star Emmy award and a national Public Media award.

We'll miss her a lot, but we wish her the very best.

Thanks so much for watching.

You can see our stories on the Austin PBS YouTube channel or catch up on full episodes anytime for free in the PBS app.

We'll see you next time.

(energetic music) - [Narrator] Support for Austin InSight comes from Sally and James Gavin, and also from Daniel L. Skret.