The first edition of Videobrasil was held in 1983, bringing together a trailblazing generation of national artists and documentary and video makers. In the years that ensued, the event evolved in two major directions. The competitive exhibition turned to mapping electronic art from the geopolitical south of the globe; and the programmes accompanied the fast-paced evolution of electronic media, which became part of contemporary production and were divided into different manifestations, such as installation, live performance, interactive work, and intervention. From 1992 onwards, when it started being promoted by SESC São Paulo, the International Electronic Art Festival became consolidated as an international reference for southern art and a privileged vantage point for observing contemporary production. Held at SESC Pompeia and other units of SESC São Paulo, it brought to São Paulo artists of the likes of Bill Viola, Gary Hill, and Coco Fusco (U.S.), Peter Greenaway (Great Britain), Marcel Odenbach (Germany), Akram Zaatari (Lebanon), Fabrizio Plessi (Italy), Robert Cahen (France), Eder Santos, Chelpa Ferro, Waly Salomão, Detanico & Lain, Arthur Omar, and Marco Paulo Rolla (Brazil). The flagship production of Associação Cultural Videobrasil—created in 1991 in order to expand the event’s objectives by means of more lasting actions, such as publications and documentaries—, in the 2000-2009 decade the Festival established its curatorial character. Beginning with the 13th edition, the programme was divided into thematic sections derived from observation of contemporary issues and trends, examples of which were Deslocamentos (2003) and Performance (2005). The new configuration favored the expansion, within the Festival, of analytic activity, which gained new impetus and more space. Starting in 2007, strategic partnerships with teaching and research institutions based in Brazil and in foreign countries allowed the Festival to grant exchange prizes, on a systematic basis, to artists selected for the Southern Panoramas competitive exhibition, in addition to prizes in cash. In 2011, the 17th edition of the Festival signals with new and significant modifications. With an enlarged scope, reflected in its new name, the Southern Panoramas Competitive Show will include video, installation, performance, printed objects, and other artistic experiments. A special guest to the Festival, artist Olafur Eliasson will have his first South American exhibition at the event.