Variety, in partnership with Investigation Discovery (ID), hosted the inaugural True Crime Summit at South by Southwest on March 13, 2026, drawing together prominent voices shaping the true crime genre across documentaries, television series, investigative journalism, and podcasts.

The full-day event was open to all SXSW festival badgeholders and brought leading creators and industry experts into conversation about the storytelling craft, ethical considerations, and business strategies driving one of entertainment's most dominant genres.

Lawrence, a Variety executive, framed the summit's significance: "As true crime series, movies, and podcasts continue to grow in popularity, Variety recognizes the value of connecting fans with creators and experts in the genre. We are pleased to partner with Investigation Discovery on the inaugural True Crime Summit, offering the SXSW audience direct access to the creative minds behind leading documentaries, series and podcasts."

Jason Sarlanis, President of Investigation Discovery, echoed the importance of the moment. "True crime remains one of today's most captivating genres, continuously sparking culturally shifting conversations," he said. "At Investigation Discovery, we're incredibly proud to lead the space, delivering storytelling that is compelling, nuanced, and powerful. Partnering with an esteemed outlet like Variety on the inaugural True Crime Summit underscores just how significant and dynamic this genre has become."

The event featured a range of industry participants and creators. True crime content creator @mrballen participated in discussions, contributing insight during conversations that included investigative breakthroughs—including an exchange about fingerprint analysis. Nancy Grace, long associated with true crime coverage, engaged with the audience. Eva Pilgrim also participated in the day's programming.

Producers and representatives from several high-profile true crime projects were represented, including the teams behind "Quiet on Set," "The Fall of Diddy," and "Lost Women of Highway," reflecting the breadth of contemporary true crime storytelling across streaming platforms, broadcast television, and podcast networks.

The summit's timing reflects the genre's continued cultural momentum. True crime content has become a defining feature of the entertainment landscape, generating massive audiences across traditional and digital platforms. The genre's expansion has also prompted industry-wide conversations about responsible storytelling, the ethics of centering victims and survivors, and the business models sustaining the proliferation of true crime content.

By convening creators, journalists, and industry leaders, the summit provided a space to examine these dynamics directly. Discussions centered on how stories are sourced and developed, the editorial and ethical frameworks guiding production, and the strategies shaping distribution and audience engagement in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

For attendees and the broader true crime community, the inaugural summit represented a formal recognition of the genre's maturation. What began as a niche interest has become a primary driver of content consumption, influencing everything from production budgets to documentary festival programming to podcast network strategies.

Variety indicated that additional information, including the full summit schedule and RSVP details, was available at variety.com/truecrime.

**Sources**

https://sxsw.com/news/2026/variety-to-host-inaugural-true-crime-summit-at-sxsw/

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tTIQ4OZ86eg

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVyQl4pmviy/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV1Shlfj_qx/

https://open.spotify.com/episode/53CDFt2vHrxLCbtPu0j49Z