Vivid Sydney (27 May – 13 June) today reveals the second major program announcement of the annual festival of light, music and ideas. Over 50 global and local creative leaders will come together to imagine the future at Vivid Creative Sydney.

Vivid Creative Sydney (30 May – 12 June) explores the potential of the creative industries to transform society and re-shape our economy. The 2011 series will pursue in-depth debate andcelebrate our city’s creativity, with events at some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks including the Sydney Opera House and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

A diverse line up of inspiring speakers will take to the Playhouse stage at the Sydney Opera House, including Etsy European Director Matthew Stinchcomb (US/GER), ethical investor Gunther Pauli (BEL/SA), sustainability author Dr James Bradfield Moody (AUS), Future Shorts and Secret Cinema founder Fabien Riggall (UK), and local leaders from the worlds of fashion, film, design, music, performance, visual arts, events and technology.

The key elements of the thought-provoking program revealed today include:

Show and Tell – Short, colourful presentations from some of the world’s finest creators.

In Conversation – In-depth discussions on education, innovation, technology and investment.

Creative Futures – Scientists, artists and entrepreneurs present their visions of the ideas and trends that will shape society and the market into the future.

Standout participants include:

Matthew Stinchcomb – EU Director of Etsy, the world’s biggest marketplace for connecting makers to buyers. Australia is Etsy’s third largest market and this is Etsy’s first official engagement with their Australian audience of makers and fans.

Fabien Riggall – Founder of Future Shorts and Secret Cinema, two of the world’s most innovative approaches to building audiences and distribution channels for film.

Philip Cronin – General Manager of Intel Australia and NZ, and National Chairman of the Australian Information Industry Association

Barry Vercoe – One of the founders of the iconic MIT Media Lab and the One Laptop Per Child program.

Dr James Bradfield Moody – Executive Director, Development, at CSIRO and author of The Sixth Wave, a manifesto on the positive potential of a carbon-restrained economy.

Gunter Pauli – An ethical investor on a mission to invest in 100 sustainable businesses, author of The Blue Economy and founder of Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives.

Murray Bell and Andrew Johnstone – Founders of Sydney design studio, Design is Kinky and the internationally successful Semi Permanent conferences, publishers of TAKE and EMPTY magazines.

Shoes of Prey – Successful Sydney-based start-up which allows women around the world to design and create custom, hand-made shoes.

We Are Handsome – Swimwear brand that created instant international buzz around their distinctive digital prints and sexy campaigns.

Ben Briand – Film director, winner of Cannes Young Director Award, and the popular winner of Best Narrative Film at the Vimeo Awards 2010.

Fuel VFX – Sydney-based post-production company who contribute to Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, including 2011’s Thor and Captain America.Colleen Morgan – Interaction designer, ThreadTech founder and “Catalyst in residence” at Queensland’s innovative The Edge digital culture centre.

Vivid Creative Sydney continues to grow in audience and ambition, with Director Jess Scully programing the festival for the third year in a row.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with the support for Vivid Creative Sydney in the past two years, as we bring together the most diverse cross-section of Sydney’s creative community.”

“I’m thrilled we can expand our program to include more free sessions and a presence at Sydney Opera House.”

“This year’s program gives audiences the opportunity to connect with the ideas that will shape tomorrow’s society, network with the sharpest industry minds, and be inspired by the city in a celebration of creativity,” said Jess Scully.

Executive Producer of Vivid Sydney Ignatius Jones said the Vivid Creative Sydney program is vital part of the festival, engaging the public with the creative industries, celebrating and promoting our city’s status as a major creative hub.

“Across Vivid Sydney we are working with our best and brightest talents in the creative industries, and inviting international creative minds to Sydney to show off what they can do, to swap ideas and most importantly reach out to the public and electrify us with their creations.” he said.

The full list of speakers and events is available on the Vivid Creative Sydney website from Friday 29 April. Registration opens 9am Monday 2 May, and it is highly recommended to secure your place early with over 15,000 people expected to attend.

Stay tuned for the announcement of live music showcases, parties, debates, film screenings, social events and so much more in the coming weeks as we unveil a full array of Vivid Creative Sydney events.

Vivid Sydney is one of five signature events on the NSW Events Calendar developed by Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

For more information on the Vivid Creative Sydney visit www.creativesydney.com.au