The SXSW Film Festival announced on Tuesday that "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" will have its world premiere to kick off the annual Austin-set festival of film, music and interactive technology.
The comedy stars Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini, Olivia Wilde and Steve Buscemi. It's due out in theaters on March 15, but will debut at SXSW on Friday, March 8.
“Everyone knows that we like have a good time at SXSW, and our 20th year is already well on track with smart, stylish and highly entertaining work," said SXSW Film Conference and Festival Producer Janet Pierson in a statement. “Though this is just a taste of what SXSW 2013 will have to offer, what better way to get the party started than with 'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,' which had us laughing our heads off, despite an 8 a.m. Monday viewing.”
About that "taste" of the SXSW slate. In addition to "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," SXSW organizers announced on Thursday that the 2013 festival will feature the world premieres of Joe Swanberg's "Drinking Buddies" (with Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick and "Wonderstone" star Olivia Wilde) and "Evil Dead," the extra-violent remake of Sam Raimi's cult classic.
SXSW 2013 will also debut a new documentary about Napster from Alex Winter (star of the "Bill & Ted" films) and unspool the U.S. premiere of "Spring Breakers," Harmony Korine's comedy-drama about a group of young women seduced into a world of crime by a small-time thug (played by James Franco).
In addition to films, SXSW will feature an in-depth conversation with Matthew McConaughey.
The full, early list of SXSW films and events is below:
Downloaded (World Premiere)
Director: Alex Winter
Downloaded is a documentary that explores the rise and fall of Napster and the birth of the digital revolution. It's about the teens that helped start this revolution, and the artists and industries who continue to be impacted by it.
Drinking Buddies (World Premiere)Director/Screenwriter: Joe SwanbergWeekend trips, office parties, late night conversations, drinking on the job, marriage pressure, biological clocks, holding eye contact a second too long… you know what makes the line between "friends" and "more than friends" really blurry? Beer. Cast: Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston
Everyone's Going to Die (World Premiere)Director/Screenwriter: JonesA modern British story about coming home, getting by and the redemptive power of feeling you're not alone. A story where porn hotlines rub shoulders with sexy beavers on rollerskates; where the past is laid to rest, two lives are changed and nobody, finally, is going to die. Cast: Nora Tschirner, Rob Knighton, Kellie Shirley, Madeline Duggan (United Kingdom)
Evil Dead (World Premiere)Director: Fede Alvarez, Screenwriter: Fede Alvarez & Rodo SayaguesFive friends, holed up in a remote cabin, discover a Book of the Dead that unwittingly summons up dormant demons, which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left to fight for survival. Cast: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, Elizabeth Blackmore
Good Ol' Freda (World Premiere)Director: Ryan WhiteGood Ol’ Freda tells the story of Freda Kelly, a shy Liverpudlian teenager asked to work for a young local band hoping to make it big: The Beatles. Their loyal secretary from beginning to end, Freda tells her tales for the first time in 50 years.
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (World Premiere)Director: Don Scardino, Story by Chad Kultgen & Tyler Mitchell and Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley. Screenplay by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis DaleyAs superstar Vegas magicians and former best friends Burt and Anton grow to secretly loathe each other, their long-time act implodes, allowing an ambitious rival street performer the big break he’s been waiting for. Cast: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, with Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini and Jim Carrey
Spring Breakers (U.S. Premiere)Director/Screenwriter: Harmony KorineFour college girls who land in jail after robbing a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation find themselves bailed out by a drug and arms dealer who wants them to do some dirty work. Cast: James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine
In addition to nine full days of film screenings, SXSW Film will ultimately feature over 150 informative and entertaining featured Conversations, panels, workshops and mentor sessions. Major additions to the 2013 Conference include:
A Conversation with Matthew McConaughey - An in-depth discussion with the incredibly fascinating actor, whose career continues to evolve in exciting and unexpected ways, including his bold choices with recent projects like Magic Mike, Killer Joe, Bernie and Mud.
Humanizing Heroes: Storytelling Beyond Sports - The leading authorities behind some of today's most notable sports films, Connor Schell (ESPN Films), Ken Rodgers (NFL Films) and Ross Greenburg (Ross Greenburg Productions), discuss the evolution of storytelling in sports filmmaking, its influence on pop culture and its continued resonance across all cultures and backgrounds.
Bates Motel: Story to Screen with Carlton Cuse – In a Special Event combining the SXSW Film Festival and Conference in one, attendees will get an exclusive first look at the pilot of Bates Motel, the thrilling new series from A&E. Following the screening, Executive Producer Carlton Cuse (Lost) will sit down with A&E Marketing EVP Guy Slattery for an inside look and Q&A on the process for bringing this contemporary prequel to life.
Jeffrey Tambor’s Acting Workshop - Jeffrey Tambor continues the tradition of his much loved acting and life workshop by returning to SXSW Film 2013. Part one-man show, part seminar, part question and answer and endlessly entertaining, Jeffrey’s hilarious and empowering presentation inspires the viewer to discover the artist within.
SXSW kicks off on March 8; check back to HuffPost Entertainment for full coverage of the film festival.
