US President Barack Obama and Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio will discuss ways to combat climate change at a White House event next week.

At the inaugural South by South Lawn: A White House Festival of Ideas, Art, and Action, they will take part in a conversion with climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe about "the importance of protecting the one planet we've got for future generations", reports hollywoodreporter.com.

Afterwards, DiCaprio's new climate documentary "Before the Flood" will be shown to attendees on the South Lawn in what is being billed as a "first-of-its-kind film screening".

The event was announced in September, with the White House saying the idea was spurred by Obama's visit to South by Southwest in Austin earlier this year.

The festival will be streamed live on the office White House website.