This year's South by Southwest Film Festival lineup will include some of the biggest names in Hollywood: Melissa McCarthy, Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Judd Apatow, Ryan Gosling, Paul Feig, Oscar Isaac, Russell Brand, Al Pacino, Lena Dunham, Steve Carell and Amy Schumer. But that robust lineup of stars fits with the huge festival itself: 145 total features, 60 titles from first-time filmmakers, 100 world premieres, 13 North American premieres and 11 U.S. premieres. South by Southwest saw a record number of submissions for 2015, with 7,335 in total.
"The final number is more than ever," Head of SXSW Film Janet Pierson said in an interview with HuffPost Entertainment. "It's kind of a mixed blessing for us. We were actually trying to cut back. We've been at around 133 features the last couple of years, and we were trying to cut it down to 125, but instead we went in the other direction. It's just because we saw too much that we liked. We saw too much that we felt like we had to show and that our audience will love. We programmed films with different things in mind: films that are so entertaining right off the bat, films that are so provocative, films that are the mark of a new filmmaker, films that are just a fascinating subject. There are all these different ways that we look at the work. Even at this increased number, we turned away a fair amount of high quality stuff."
Which is saying something based on the "stuff" actually screening at the Austin, Texas-based festival in March. In addition to previously announced films like "Ex Machina" (with the aforementioned Isaac), "Brand: The Second Coming" (a Russell Brand documentary) and "Hello, My Name Is Doris" (with Sally Field and Max Greenfield), SXSW 2015 will include premieres of high-profile studio comedies like "Get Hard" (with Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart) and "Spy" (with Melissa McCarthy). A work-in-progress cut of the Judd Apatow and Amy Schumer comedy "Trainwreck" will also screen. Other comedies include Sundance faves "The Overnight," "Results" and "Unexpected" and SXSW debuts like "Fresno" (with Natasha Lyonne) and "Night Owls" (with Adam Pally).
"I don't know that it feels different to us than normal," Pierson said when asked about the major comedy lineup. "There are plenty of films that are really serious here. I wouldn't say there has been an increase in comedies this year -- that's not true. But we certainly like them!"
Other major features screening at SXSW include Ryan Gosling's directorial debut, "Lost River," documentaries on misogyny in video games ("GTFO: Get The F% Out"), Steve Jobs ("Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine") and Kurt Cobain ("Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck"), and television series debuts such as "Angie Tribeca" (co-written and directed by Steve Carell) and "iZombie" (from "Veronica Mars" creator Rob Thomas). SXSW Keynotes will feature presentations from Ava DuVernay, Mark Duplass and RZA.
"We intentionally think about who's current, who has something to say about the industry or creativity that would work well for us now. We figured with someone like Ava, we so admire everything she's doing," Pierson said about the keynote speeches. "We knew she'd have something to say no matter how the last six months played out."
As a complement to having a bigger lineup than ever, SXSW also expanded its narrative and documentary competition sections from eight to 10 films. Highlights there include "6 Years" (with Taissa Farmiga), "Manson Family Vacation" (with Jay Duplass) and the documentary "She's The Best Thing In It," about Broadway legend Mary Louise Wilson.
The 2015 South by Southwest Film Festival runs from March 13 through March 21. Check out the feature and documentary lineup below, via a press release from SXSW. (The Midnighters feature section and the Short Film program will be announced on Feb. 10; the complete conference lineup and schedule is out Feb. 17.)
The 2015 SXSW Film Festival will feature:
NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITIONTen world premieres, ten unique ways to celebrate the art of storytelling. Selected from 1,372 films submitted to SXSW 2015.
6 YearsDirector/Screenwriter: Hannah FidellA young couple bound by a seemingly ideal love begins to unravel as unexpected opportunities spin them down a volatile and violent path and threaten the future they had always imagined. Cast: Taissa Farmiga, Ben Rosenfield, Lindsay Burdge, Joshua Leonard, Jennifer Lafleur, Peter Vack, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, Molly McMichael, Jason Newman (World Premiere)
THE BOYDirector: Craig Macneill, Screenwriters: Craig Macneill, Clay McLeod ChapmanTHE BOY is an intimate portrait of a 9-year-old sociopath's growing fascination with death. Cast: David Morse, Rainn Wilson, Jared Breeze, Bill Sage, Mike Vogel, Zuleikha Robinson, Aiden Lovekamp (World Premiere)
Creative ControlDirector: Benjamin Dickinson, Screenwriters: Benjamin Dickinson, Micah BloombergIn near future Brooklyn, an ad executive uses a new Augmented Reality technology to conduct an affair with his best friend’s girlfriend...sort of. Cast: Benjamin Dickinson, Nora Zehetner, Dan Gill, Alexia Rasmussen, Reggie Watts, Gavin McInnes, Paul Manza, Himanshu Suri (World Premiere)
Funny BunnyDirector/Screenwriter: Alison BagnallFunny Bunny is a serious comedy about a friendless anti-obesity crusader and a trust fund manchild who vie for the heart of a reclusive animal activist and incest survivor, releasing her demons and forming an unlikely 'family' in the process. Cast: Kentucker Audley, Joslyn Jensen, Olly Alexander, Anna Margaret Hollyman, Josephine Decker, Louis Cancelmi, Grace Gonglewski, Nicholas Webber, Caridad de la Luz (World Premiere)
The Grief of OthersDirector/Screenwriter: Patrick WangBased on Leah Hager Cohen’s critically-acclaimed novel, a family struggles with a tragic loss when an unexpected visitor arrives. She stirs the pain of past betrayals but might also offer an unforeseen gift: a way out of their isolating grief. Cast: Wendy Moniz, Trevor St. John, Oona Laurence, Jeremy Shinder, Sonya Harum, Mike Faist, Rachel Dratch, Chris Conroy (World Premiere)
KRISHADirector/Screenwriter: Trey Edward ShultsWhen Krisha returns for a holiday gathering, the only things standing in her way are family, dogs, and turkey. Cast: Krisha Fairchild, Robyn Fairchild, Bill Wise, Chris Doubek, Olivia Grace Applegate, Chase Joliet, Alex Dobrenko, Bryan Casserly, Augustine Frizzell, Trey Edward Shults (World Premiere)
Manson Family VacationDirector/Screenwriter: J. DavisThe story of two brothers: one who’s devoted to his family, the other who’s obsessed with the Manson Family. Cast: Jay Duplass, Linas Phillips, Leonora Pitts, Tobin Bell, Adam Chernick, Davie-Blue (World Premiere)
QuittersDirector: Noah Pritzker, Screenwriters: Noah Pritzker, Ben TarnoffA teenager's family falls apart, so he goes in search of a better one.Cast: Benjamin Konigsberg, Mira Sorivno, Greg Germann, Kara Hayward, Kieran Culkin, Morgan Turner, Saffron Burrows, Scott Lawrence (World Premiere)
Sweaty BettyDirectors/Screenwriters: Joseph Frank, Zachary ReedOn the border of Washington DC, two stories of big dreams take place – a family is determined to turn their 1000 pound pig into the Redskins’ football team mascot, and two teenage fathers scheme a better life for themselves and their children. Cast: Rico Mitchell, Seth Dubose, Floyd Rich III, Chris Rich, Tarich Rich, Floyd Rich V, Chrissy Rich, Charlotte the Pig, Cassy the Dog (World Premiere)
Uncle JohnDirector: Steven Piet, Screenwriters: Erik Crary, Steven PietUncle John is an intimately told story that revolves around the struggle to keep a mysterious disappearance unsolved. Cast: John Ashton, Alex Moffat, Jenna Lyng, Ronnie Gene Blevins (World Premiere)
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITIONSelected from 1,018 submissions, ten world premieres, ten real world stories that demonstrate innovation, energy and bold voices. Breaking a MonsterDirector: Luke MeyerBreaking a Monster chronicles the break-out year of the band Unlocking The Truth, as the 12 and 13-year-old members first encounter stardom and the music industry, transcending childhood to become the rock stars they always dreamed of being. (World Premiere)
Deep TimeDirector: Noah HuttonAncient oceans teeming with life, Norwegian settlers, Native Americans and multinational oil corporations find intimacy in deep time. (World Premiere)
FRAME BY FRAMEDirectors: Alexandria Bombach, Mo ScarpelliAfter decades of war and an oppressive Taliban regime, four Afghan photojournalists face the realities of building a free press in a country left to stand on its own – reframing Afghanistan for the world and for themselves. (World Premiere)
Madina's DreamDirector: Andrew BerendsAn unflinching and poetic glimpse into a forgotten war, Madina’s Dream tells the story of rebels and refugees fighting to survive in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains. (World Premiere)
Peace OfficerDirectors: Scott Christopherson, Brad BarberA former sheriff will stop at nothing to confront the SWAT team he founded. (World Premiere)
PoachedDirector: Timothy WheelerObsessive egg thieves rob the nests of rare birds while a UK national police force tries to stop them. Poached delves into the psychology of these criminals, showing that when passion turns it can destroy the very object of one's desire. (World Premiere)
The Sandwich Nazi (Canada)Director: Lewis BennettDeli owner Salam Kahil is an art collector, a former male escort, an amateur musician, and a sandwich maker to the homeless in Vancouver's poorest neighbourhood but his true passion is talking about blowjobs. (World Premiere)
She's The Best Thing In ItDirector: Ron NyswanerBroadway legend Mary Louise Wilson teaches her first acting class, smashing her students’ red carpet illusions. An examination of acting and the sacrifices required, featuring Frances McDormand, Melissa Leo, Tyne Daly, Valerie Harper and others. (World Premiere)
TwinstersDirectors: Samantha Futerman, Ryan MiyamotoImagine there was someone out there who you'd never met, looked exactly like you and was born on your birthday. Twinsters is the story of two strangers who discovered they were potentially twin sisters separated at birth. (World Premiere)
A Woman Like MeDirectors: Alex Sichel, Elizabeth GiamattiBy creating a fictional character based on herself, filmmaker Alex Sichel learns how to navigate a terminal disease with grace and humor. (World Premiere)
HEADLINERSBig names, big talent: Headliners bring star power to SXSW, featuring red carpet premieres and gala film events with major & rising names in cinema.
BRAND: A Second Coming (UK)Director: Ondi TimonerBRAND: A Second Coming follows comedian/author Russell Brand’s evolution from addict & Hollywood star to unexpected political disruptor & newfound hero to the underserved. Brand is criticized for egomaniacal self-interest as he calls for revolution. (World Premiere)
Ex MachinaDirector/Screenwriter: Alex GarlandAlex Garland, writer of 28 Days Later and Sunshine, makes his directorial debut with the stylish and cerebral thriller Ex Machina, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander. Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alicia Vikander (North American Premiere)
Get HardDirector: Etan Cohen, Screenwriters: Story By Adam McKay And Jay Martel & Ian Roberts, Screenplay By Jay Martel & Ian Roberts And Etan CohenWith a ten-year stint in San Quentin hanging over his head, yuppie Brad hires city Darnell to toughen him up for prison life. Cast: Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Tip "T.I." Harris, Alison Brie, Craig T. Nelson. (World Premiere)
Hello, My Name is DorisDirector: Michael Showalter, Screenwriters: Laura Terruso, Michael ShowalterAn isolated 60-year-old woman is motivated by a self-help seminar to romantically pursue a younger coworker, causing her to stumble into the spotlight of the local hipster social scene. Cast: Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs, Wendi Mclendon-Covey, Stephen Root, Elizabeth Reaser, Jack Antonoff, Natasha Lyonne, Tyne Daly. (World Premiere)
Love & MercyDirector: Bill Pohlad, Screenwriters: Oren Moverman, Michael Alan LernerLove & Mercy presents an unconventional portrait of Brian Wilson, iconic leader of the Beach Boys. Cast: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti (U.S. Premiere)
Manglehorn Director: David Gordon Green, Screenwriter: Paul LoganReclusive small town locksmith, A.J. Manglehorn, who has never recovered from his losing his true love embarks on a new tenuous relationship with a local woman he meets at the bank. Cast: Al Pacino, Holly Hunter, Harmony Korine, Chris Messina (U.S. Premiere)
SpyDirector/Screenwriter: Paul FeigSusan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. But when her partner (Jude Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Jason Statham) is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent a global disaster. Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart, Bobby Cannavale, Allison Janney, Peter Serafinowicz, Morena Baccarin and Jude Law (Premiere)
Steve Jobs: The Man in the MachineDirector: Alex GibneyAn evocative portrait of the life and work of Steve Jobs that re-examines his legacy and our relationship with the computer. (World Premiere)
NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHTHigh profile narrative features receiving their World, North American or U.S. premieres at SXSW.
7 Chinese BrothersDirector/Screenwriter: Bob ByingtonA man unaccustomed to telling the truth learns to at least describe it. Cast: Jason Schwartzman, Tunde Adebimpe, Eleanore Pienta, Olympia Dukakis, Stephen Root (World Premiere)
The Automatic HateDirector: Justin Lerner, Screenwriters: Justin Lerner, Katharine O'BrienWhen Davis Green's alluring young cousin Alexis shows up on his doorstep, he discovers a side of his family that had been kept secret his entire life. As the two get closer, they set out to uncover the shocking secret that tore their families apart. Cast: Joseph Cross, Adelaide Clemens, Richard Schiff, Yvonne Zima, Vanessa Zima, Catherine Carlen, Caitlin O'Connell, Ricky Jay, Deborah Ann Woll (World Premiere)
Bone in the Throat (UK)Director: Graham Henman, Screenwriters: Graham Henman, Mark TownendBone in the Throat based on celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain's novel of the same, is a gritty fast paced story about a young ambitious chef who is mixed up with the East End London mob. While showing off his culinary skills, he finds himself trapped. Cast: Ed Westwick, Tom Wilkinson, Rupert Graves, Vanessa Kirby, John Hannah, Steve Mackintosh, Andy Nyman (World Premiere)
The Final GirlsDirector: Todd Strauss-Schulson, Screenwriters: M. A. Fortin, Joshua John MillerMax and her friends are mysteriously transported into a famous 1980s horror movie that starred Max's mother, a celebrated scream queen. Reunited, they team up to fight the film's maniacal killer and find their way back home. Cast: Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Adam DeVine, Thomas Middleditch, Alia Shawkat, Alexander Ludwig, Nina Dobrev (World Premiere)
FresnoDirector: Jamie Babbit, Screenwriter: Karey DornettoFresno is a comedy that follows lonely but stoic lesbian Martha (Natasha Lyonne), whose sister Shannon (Judy Greer), a sex addict with no impulse control and a long history of poor decisions, winds up back in Fresno cleaning hotel rooms with her. Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Judy Greer, Aubrey Plaza, Fred Armisen, Jessica St. Clair, Molly Shannon, Michael Hitchcock, Ron Livingston (World Premiere)
The FrontierDirector: Oren Shai, Screenwriters: Webb Wilcoxen, Oren ShaiA desperate young woman, on the run from the law, discovers a violent gang of thieves at a desert motel and hatches a plan to steal their loot. Cast: Jocelin Donahue, Kelly Lynch, Jim Beaver, Izabella Miko, Jamie Harris, AJ Bowen, Liam Aiken (World Premiere)
The Goob (UK)Director/Screenwriter: Guy MyhillThe Goob combines the dirty roar of stock car thunder with the visceral vision of a teenage boy’s first love. Cast: Liam Walpole, Sean Harris, Sienna Guillory (North American Premiere)
I Dream Too MuchDirector/Screenwriter: Katie CokinosDora Welles is an imaginative college grad ready to experience all the excitement of life. Instead she finds herself in snowy upstate New York caring for her reclusive great aunt (who has lived a much more exciting life than anyone realizes). Cast: Eden Brolin, Diane Ladd, Danielle Brooks, James McCaffrey, Christina Rouner (World Premiere)
Ktown CowboysDirector: Daniel (DPD) Park, Screenwriters: Danny Cho, Brian ChungAgainst the alluring backdrop of LA’s Koreatown, 5 legendary partiers go out for one more night of “Ktown” debauchery, eventually growing up by throwing down like they did in their glory days. Cast: Danny Cho, Bobby Choy, Peter Jae, Sunn Wee, Shane Yoon, Eric Roberts, Steve Byrne, Kim Young Chul, Simon Rhee, Daniel Dae Kim (World Premiere)
LambDirector/Screenwriter: Ross PartridgeWhen a man meets a young girl in a parking lot he attempts to help her avoid a bleak destiny by initiating her into the beauty of the outside world. The journey shakes them in ways neither expects. Cast: Oona Laurence, Ross Partridge, Scoot McNairy, Jess Weixler, Lindsay Pulsipher, Joel Murray, Tom Bower, Jennifer Lafleur (World Premiere)
Life in ColorDirector/Screenwriter: Katharine EmmerWith no place to live, two strangers are stuck house sitting together. To get back on their feet, this odd couple reluctantly help each other overcome the very personal obstacles that are holding them back in life and from each other. Cast: Josh McDermitt, Katharine Emmer, Adam Lustick, Fortune Feimster, Jim O'Heir (World Premiere)
The Little Death (Australia)Director/Screenwriter: Josh LawsonAn outrageous romantic comedy about sex; secrets; fate; fetish; told through the lives and desires of five ordinary couples. Cast: Bojana Novakovic, Josh Lawson, Damon Herriman, Kate Mulvany, Patrick Brammall, Kate Box, Alan Dukes, Lisa McCune, Erin James, TJ Power (U.S. Premiere)
Mania DaysDirector/Screenwriter: Paul DalioTwo manic-depressive poets meet in a psychiatric hospital and begin a romance which brings out all the beauty and horror of their condition until they have to choose between sanity and love. Cast: Katie Holmes, Luke Kirby, Christine Lahti, Griffin Dunne, Bruce Altman (World Premiere)
Night OwlsDirector: Charles Hood, Screenwriters: Seth Goldsmith, Charles HoodAfter Kevin has a one night stand with Madeline, he discovers she’s actually his boss’ jilted mistress. When she takes a bottle of sleeping pills, Kevin has to keep her awake... and over the course of the night they begin to fall for each other. Cast: Adam Pally, Rosa Salazar, Rob Huebel, Peter Krause, Tony Hale (World Premiere)
Wild HorsesDirector/Screenwriter: Robert DuvallA Texas ranch family's idyllic life unravels as the Texas Rangers reopen and investigate a 15 year-old missing person case. Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco, Josh Hartnett, Luciana Duvall, Adriana Barraza, Jim Parrack, Angie Cepeda, Devon Abner (World Premiere)
DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHTShining a light on new documentary features receiving their World, North American or U.S. premieres at SXSW.
Bikes vs Cars (Sweden)Director/Screenwriter: Fredrik GerttenThe bicycle, an amazing tool for change. Activists and cities all over the world are moving towards a new system. But will the economic powers allow it? (World Premiere)
Bounce: How the Ball Taught the World to PlayDirector: Jerome Thélia, Screenwriters: John Fox, Jerome ThéliaBounce: How the Ball Taught the World to Play takes us to the far reaches of the globe and the deep recesses of our ancient past to answer the question: Why do we play ball? (World Premiere)* SXsports screening
A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez StoryDirector: Sara Hirsh BordoFrom the producers of the most viewed TEDWomen event of 2013 comes A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story, a documentary following the inspiring journey of 25-year-old, 58-pound Lizzie from cyber-bullying victim to anti-bullying activist. (World Premiere)
Deep WebDirector/Screenwriter: Alex WinterDeep Web gives the inside story of one of the the most important and riveting digital crime sagas of the century -- the arrest of Ross William Ulbricht, the entrepreneur alleged to be “Dread Pirate Roberts,” leader of online black market Silk Road. (World Premiere)
For GraceDirectors: Kevin Pang, Mark HelenowskiA documentary about food, family and sacrifice: The kitchen became Curtis Duffy's refuge after an unimaginable tragedy. Now as one of the country's most renowned chefs, he's building his dream restaurant - but at another point of personal crisis. (World Premiere)
For the RecordDirector: Marc GreenbergFor the Record explores the “steno culture,” tracking several court reporters and captioners as they strive to attain the Guinness title of World's Fastest Court Reporter. (World Premiere)* SXsports screening
GTFO: Get The F% OutDirector: Shannon Sun-HigginsonAlmost half of all gamers are women; yet, female gamers are disproportionately subject to harassment and abuse. GTFO seeks to investigate misogyny in video game culture and questions the future of this 20 billion dollar industry. (World Premiere)
Kingdom of ShadowsDirector: Bernardo RuizThe drug war casts a dark shadow on the lives of a Mexican nun, a U.S. Federal agent and a former drug smuggler who wrestle with the far-reaching repercussions on both sides of theborder. (World Premiere)
Knock Knock, It's Tig NotaroDirectors: Michael LaHaie, Christopher WilchaIn Knock Knock, It's Tig Notaro, comedian Tig Notaro travels across the country in order to put on a series of performances in the homes, back yards, barns, and basements of her most loyal fans. (World Premiere)
Out To Win (USA/Canada)Director: Malcolm IngramOut to Win is a documentary film that serves as an overview and examination of lives and careers of aspiring and professional gay and lesbian athletes who have fought and struggled to represent the LGBT community and their true selves. (World Premiere)* SXsports screening
Raiders!Directors: Jeremy Coon, Tim SkousenIn 1982, two 11 year-olds in Mississippi set out to remake Raiders of the Lost Ark. After seven turbulent years, they finished every scene except one. 30 years later, they attempt to finally finish their fan film and realize their childhood dream. (World Premiere)
Rolling PapersDirector: Mitch DickmanIn 2014, recreational marijuana sales began in Colorado. With all eyes on ground zero of the green rush, The Denver Post appointed the world’s first marijuana editor. Pot is legal, journalism is ignited and The Cannabist is covering it as it unfolds. (World Premiere)
SneakerheadzDirectors: David T. Friendly, Mick Partridge, Screenwriter: David T. FriendlyAn in-depth look into the exploding subculture of sneaker collecting and the widespread influence it has had on popular culture around the world. (World Premiere)* SXsports screening
Son of the CongoDirector/Screenwriter: Adam HootnickSerge Ibaka’s improbable journey has taken him from the violence of Congo to the top of the NBA. In Son of the Congo, Ibaka returns home, hoping his basketball success can help rebuild a country and inspire a new generation to dream of a better life. (World Premiere)* SXsports screening
Stone Barn CastleDirector: Kevin Ford, Adrien BrodyStone Barn Castle is a documentary portrayal of the pursuit of dreams and the distance one must travel to achieve them. (World Premiere)
Tab Hunter ConfidentialDirector: Jeffrey SchwarzIn the 1950s, Tab Hunter was number one at the box office and on the music charts. Nothing, it seems, can damage his skyrocketing career. Nothing, that is, except for the fact that Tab Hunter is secretly gay. (World Premiere)
T-RexDirectors: Drea Cooper, Zackary Canepari17-year-old Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields from Flint, Mich. dreams of being the first woman in history to win the gold medal in Olympic boxing. But in order for her to succeed, she'll need to stand her ground both inside and outside the ring. (World Premiere)* SXsports screening
VISIONSVisions filmmakers are audacious, risk-taking artists in the new cinema landscape who demonstrate raw innovation and creativity in documentary and narrative filmmaking.
Ava's PossessionsDirector/Screenwriter: Jordan GallandAva is recovering from demonic possession. With no memory of the past month, she must attend a Spirit Possessions Anonymous support group to figure out what happened. Ava's life was hijacked by a demon, now it's time to get it back. Cast: Louisa Krause, Whitney Able, Deborah Rush, William Sadler, Zachary Booth, Wass Stevens, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, John Ventimiglia, Jemima Kirke, Stella Schnabel (World Premiere)
BabysitterDirector/Screenwriter: Morgan KrantzA dysfunctional L.A. family hires a mysterious babysitter who changes their lives in this modern twist on the Mary Poppins narrative. Cast: Max Burkholder, Daniele Watts, Valerie Azlynn, Lesley Ann Warren, Amy Landecker, Kitty Patterson (World Premiere)
Barge (USA/New Zealand)Director: Ben PowellDry land’s misfits find purpose and direction twenty-eight days at a time as the steady hands of a towboat due for the port of New Orleans. (World Premiere)
Disaster Playground (UK)Director: Nelly Ben HayounHollywood relies on Bruce Willis to save the world in Armageddon, but who are the real-life heroes seeking to save our civilization from the next major asteroid impact? (World Premiere)
God Bless the ChildDirectors: Robert Machoian, Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, Screenwriter: Robert MachoianAfter their mother leaves at dawn, Harper, 13, spends the day looking after her four younger brothers, uncertain whether or not her mother will return. Cast: Harper Graham, Elias Graham, Arri Graham, Ezra Graham, Jonah Graham (World Premiere)
Honeytrap (UK)Director/Screenwriter: Rebecca JohnsonHoneytrap is a tragic teen romance, set in London and inspired by true events. It tells the story of 15 year old Layla, who sets up the boy in love with her to be killed. Cast: Jessica Sula, Lucien Laviscount, Ntonga Mwanza, Naomi Ryan, Danielle Vitalis, Lauren Johns, Savannah Gordon-Liburd, Tosin Cole (North American Premiere)
Just Jim (UK)Director/Screenwriter: Craig RobertsIn a small town where people talk to themselves we meet Jim. Sixteen,mediocre looking and frankly quite boring. Things change dramatically when Dean moves in next door. They quickly become friends and set on a journey together to help Jim come of age. Cast: Emile Hirsch, Craig Roberts (World Premiere)
Naz & MaalikDirector/Screenwriter: Jay DockendorfTwo closeted Muslim teens have their Friday afternoon ruined by FBI surveillance when their secretive behavior and small-time scheming start to look like fledgling steps toward violent radicalism. Cast: Curtiss Cook Jr., Kerwin Johnson Jr., Annie Grier, Anderson Footman, Bradley Custer, Ashleigh Awusie (World Premiere)
Nina Forever (UK)Directors/Screenwriters: Chris Blaine, Ben BlaineA fucked up fairy tale. Holly loves Rob and tries to help him through his grief - even if it means contending with his dead girlfriend Nina, who comes back, bloody and broken, every time they make love. Cast: Abigail Hardingham, Cian Barry, Fiona O'Shaughnessy, Elizabeth Elvin, David Troughton (World Premiere)
The NymphetsDirector/Screenwriter: Gary GardnerA well-to-do 30-something man invites two rowdy young girls to party in his loft, leading to a night of provocation and cruelty, all in the name of getting laid. Cast: Kip Pardue, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, Jordan Lane Price, Paulina Singer (World Premiere)
One & TwoDirector: Andrew Droz Palermo, Screenwriters: Andrew Droz Palermo, Neima ShahdadiTwo siblings discover a supernatural escape from a troubled home, but find their bond tested when reality threatens to tear their family apart. Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Timothee Chalamet, Elizabeth Reaser, Grant Bowler (World Premiere)
Petting Zoo (Germany/USA/Greece)Director/Screenwriter: Micah MageeA story of love, sex and teen pregnancy in San Antonio, Texas. Petting Zoo is the portrait of a young woman coming into her own, in an environment that does not always present ideal circumstances. Cast: Devon Keller, Austin Reed, Deztiny Gonzales, Kiowa Tucker (North American Premiere)
Planetary (UK/USA)Director: Guy Reid, Screenwriter: Steve Watts KennedyA contemplative exploration into what it means to live on Earth, the roots of our current crises, and the change in perspective that could transform our shared future. (World Premiere)
Sailing A Sinking SeaDirector: Olivia WyattSailing a Sinking Sea is a feature-length experimental documentary exploring the culture of one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in Asia, the Moken of Thailand and Burma. (World Premiere)
Uncle Kent 2Director: Todd Rohal, Screenwriter: Kent OsborneIn a desperate search to create a follow-up to Joe Swanberg's 2011 film Uncle Kent, Kent Osborne travels to a comic convention where he confronts the end of the world. Cast: Kent Osborne, Kate Herman, Lyndsay Hailey, Jennifer Prediger, Steve Little, Joe Swanberg (World Premiere)
UnfriendedDirector: Leo Gabriadze, Screenwriter: Nelson GreavesUshering in a new era of horror, Universal Pictures’ Unfriended unfolds over a teenager’s computer screen as she and her friends are stalked by an unseen figure who seeks vengeance. Cast: Shelley Hennig, Moses Jacob Storm, Renee Olstead, Will Peltz, Jacob Wysocki, Courtney Halverson, Heather Sossaman (U.S. Premiere)
A Wonderful CloudDirector/Screenwriter: Eugene KotlyarenkoWhen Eugene’s ex-GF Katelyn lands in LA to disband their business, the two of them must negotiate between past tensions and future possibilities, in this raw bittersweet rom-com that walks the line between fiction and reality. Cast: Kate Lyn Sheil, Eugene Kotlyarenko, John Ennis, Vishwam Velandy, Rachel Lord, Lauren Avery, Elisha Drons, Niko Karamyan, Tierney Finster, Mikki Olson (World Premiere)
EPISODICSFeaturing innovative new work aimed squarely at the small screen, Episodic tunes in to the explosion of exciting material on non-theatrical platforms, including serialized TV, webisodes and beyond.
Angie TribecaDirector: Steve Carell, Screenwriters: Steve Carell, Nancy CarellFrom the minds of Steve & Nancy Carell comes the new TBS comedy Angie Tribeca, a wildly satirical take on police procedurals starring Rashida Jones, Hayes MacArthur, Jere Burns, Deon Cole and Andree Vermeulen. Cast: Rashida Jones, Hayes MacArthur, Deon Cole, Andree Vermeulen, Jere Burns (World Premiere)
The ComediansDirector: Larry Charles Pilot Written by Ben Wexler, Matt Nix, Larry Charles, Billy CrystalEpisode Two Written By: Ben WexlerIn FX’s The Comedians, Billy Crystal plays a comedy legend who is reluctantly paired with Josh Gad, an edgier up-and-coming star, in an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at a fictional late night sketch comedy show where egos and generations collide. Cast: Billy Crystal, Josh Gad (World Premiere)
iZOMBIEDirector: Rob Thomas, Screenwriters: Rob Thomas, Diane Ruggiero-WrightFrom Rob Thomas and based on the comic book, the CW Network’s iZOMBIE centers on Olivia “Liv” Moore, a bright young woman who’s also a newly turned zombie. She clings to her humanity by working in the city morgue and helping the police investigate unsolved murders. Cast: Rose McIver, Malcolm Goodwin, Rahul Kohli, Robert Buckley, David Anders (World Premiere)
Mr. RobotDirector: Sam EsmailMr. Robot is a psychological thriller about a young programmer who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and a vigilante hacker by night. The USA Network series stars Rami Malek (24) and Christian Slater (Adderall Diaries). Cast: Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Portia Doubleday, Carly Chaikin (World Premiere)
UnREALDirector: Peter O’Fallon, Screenwriters: Marti Noxon, Sarah Gertrude ShapiroFrom Co-Creators Marti Noxon (Mad Men) and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (Sequin Raze), Lifetime’s highly-anticipated scripted series UnREAL is a provocative drama that gives a fictitious behind-the-scenes glimpse into the chaos surrounding the production of a dating competition program. Cast: Shiri Appleby, Constance Zimmer, Craig Bierko, Freddie Stroma (World Premiere)
24 BEATS PER SECONDShowcasing the sounds, culture & influence of music & musicians, with an emphasis on documentary. New for 2015: Open to Music badgeholders.
808 (UK)Director: Alexander Dunn, Screenwriters: Alexander Dunn, Luke BainbridgeThe heart of the beat that changed music. (World Premiere)
All Things Must PassDirector: Colin Hanks, Screenwriter: Steven LeckartAll Things Must Pass is a feature documentary that explores the rise and fall of Tower Records, and the legacy forged by its rebellious founder, Russ Solomon. (World Premiere)
THE DAMNED: Don't You Wish That We Were DeadDirector: Wes OrshoskiFrom Lemmy filmmaker Wes Orshoski comes the story of the long-ignored pioneers of punk, The Damned. (World Premiere)
Danny SaysDirector: Brendan TollerDanny Says is a documentary unveiling the amazing journey of Danny Fields. Fields has played a pivotal role in music and culture with seminal acts including: the Doors, the Velvet Underground, the Stooges, MC5, Nico, the Ramones and beyond. (World Premiere)
Dominguinhos (Brazil)Directors: Joaquim Castro, Eduardo Nazarian, Screenwriter: Di MorettiDominguinhos reveals this genius of Brazilian music, creator of a deeply authentic, universal and contemporary work. The film values the sensory cinematic experience, a journey driven by Dominguinhos himself. (U.S. Premiere)
The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson (UK)Director/Screenwriter: Julien TempleThe most extraordinary rock 'n' roll story of recent times. A legendary musician diagnosed with incurable cancer who managed to defy his death sentence. (World Premiere)
Gloria (Mexico)Director: Christian Keller, Screenwriter: Sabina BermanA bold and compelling tale of ambition, betrayal and redemption, Gloria, based on a true story, chronicles the life of international pop star Gloria Trevi, the “Mexican Madonna.” Cast: Sofía Espinosa, Marco Pérez, Tatiana Del Real, Ximena Romo (U.S. Premiere)
Hot Sugar's Cold WorldDirector: Adam Bhala LoughAfter a very public break-up with his internet-famous girlfriend, Nick Koenig (aka Hot Sugar) - a brilliant young musician - takes a magical journey around the world to find new sounds for his album, and find himself. (World Premiere)
JACODirectors: Paul Marchand, Stephen Kijak, Screenwriters: Paul Marchand, Robert TrujilloJACO tells the story of Jaco Pastorius, a self-taught, larger-than-life musician who changed the course of modern music. Never-before-seen archive unveils the story of Jaco’s life, his music, his demise, and the lasting victory of artistic genius. (World Premiere)
The Jones Family Will Make a WayDirector/Screenwriter: Alan BergA rural, Pentecostal preacher and a jaded rock critic form an unlikely alliance that pushes them both in unexpected ways. (World Premiere)
Kurt Cobain: Montage of HeckDirector/Screenwriter: Brett MorgenKurt Cobain: Montage of Heck is a raw and visceral journey through Kurt Cobain’s life and his career with Nirvana through the lens of his home movies, recordings, artwork, photography, and journals.
Landfill HarmonicDirectors: Brad Allgood, Graham TownsleyLandfill Harmonic follows the Recycled Orchestra, a youth group that plays instruments made entirely from trash. When their story goes viral, they are catapulted into the world spotlight. However, a recent event could present their biggest challenge. (World Premiere)
Made in Japan (USA, Japan)Director/Screenwriter: Josh BishopMade in Japan is the remarkable story of Tomi Fujiyama, the world’s first Japanese country music superstar. It is a funny yet poignant multi-cultural journey through music, marriage, and the impact of the corporate world on the dreams of one woman. (World Premiere)
Mavis!Director: Jessica EdwardsHer family group, the Staple Singers, inspired millions and helped propel the civil rights movement with their music. After 60 years of performing, legendary singer Mavis Staples’ message of love and equality is needed now more than ever. (World Premiere)
A Poem Is A Naked PersonDirector: Les BlankA time capsule of Les Blank's take on Oklahoma in 1974 about Leon Russell and his band, with Willie Nelson, George Jones, and some amazing eccentric characters. At least two major critics have declared it the best film ever made on Rock and Roll. (World Premiere)
Sir Doug and the Honkey Texas Cosmic GrooveDirector: Joe Nick Patoski, Screenwriters: Joe Nick Patoski, Jason WehlingWild hippie cowboy musician with too much music inside, takes his talent from San Antonio to San Francisco to Austin and the world. (World Premiere)
Theory of Obscurity: a film about The ResidentsDirector/Screenwriter: Don HardyTheory of Obscurity tells the story of the renegade sound and video collective The Residents. A story that spans over 40 years and is clouded in mystery. Many details surrounding the group are secret, including the identities of its members.(World Premiere)
They Will Have To Kill Us First (UK)Director: Johanna Schwartz, Screenwriters: Johanna Schwartz, Andy MorganIslamic extremists have banned music in Mali, but its world-class musicians won’t give up without a fight. From conflict, to exile, to homecoming, this film follows the story of Mali’s musicians as they fight for their right to sing. (World Premiere)
We Like It Like ThatDirector: Mathew Ramirez WarrenWe Like It Like That tells the story of Latin boogaloo, a colorful expression of 1960s New York City Latino soul. From its origins to its recent resurgence, it’s the story of a sound that redefined a generation and was too funky to keep down. (World Premiere)
Y/OUR MUSIC (Thailand/UK)Directors: David Reeve, Waraluck Hiransrettawat EveryThe sounds of Thailand from ricefield to leftfield. (North American Premiere)
SXGLOBALA diverse selection of International filmmaking talent, featuring innovative narratives, artful documentaries, premieres, festival favorites and more.
15 Corners of the World (Poland)Director/Screenwriter: Zuzanna SolakiewiczImagine the sound that can be touched and seen by each of us. You can see unknown corners of the world. Just let your eyes follow your ears. (U.S. Premiere)
The Avian Kind (South Korea)Director/Screenwriter: Shin Yeon-ShickA novelist's search for his wife, who disappeared from view 15 years ago. Cast: KIM Jeong-Suk, Soy KIM, JUNG Han-Bi (North American Premiere)
The Ceremony (Sweden)Director/Screenwriter: Lina MannheimerFrance's most famous dominatrix, two close friends and two lovers share their innermost thoughts about love, friendship, dominance and submission - as we meet the unusual and fascinating author Catherine Robbe-Grillet and her inner circle. (North American Premiere)
Free Entry (Hungary)Director/Screenwriter: Yvonne KerékgyártóFree Entry is an adventurous journey to adulthood as two 16-year-old girls risk their first steps towards independence, in different ways at the biggest international summer festival of Hungary. Cast: Luca Pusztai, Ágnes Barta, Péter Sándor, Róbert Kardos, Ádám Kovács, Barnabás Janka, Tibor Szolár, Anna Nemes, Katica Nagy (North American Premiere)
Good Things Await (Denmark)Director: Phie Ambo, Screenwriters: Phie Ambo, Maggie OlkuskaNiels is one of the last idealistic farmers in the agricultural country of Denmark. But Niels’ ways of farming in accordance with the planets and the primal instincts of the animals are not too popular with the authorities. (U.S. Premiere)
InvasionDirector: Abner BenaimInvasion documents the US military siege of Panama that ousted dictator Noriega 25 years ago while wreaking untold collateral damage. It sets out to shatter the willful amnesia of a country all too eager to bury its troubled past.
Limbo (Germany)Director/Screenwriter: Anna Sofie HartmannA small town on the outskirts of Denmark. Two women - a teenage girl and her schoolteacher - build a strange connection that transforms both of them. A subtle, beautiful, personal film on the state of youth and the uncertainty of being. Cast: Annika Nuka Mathiassen, Sofía Nolsøe (North American Premiere)
Monte Adentro (Colombia/Argentina)Director/Screenwriter: Nicolás Macario AlonsoMonte Adentro explores the universe of one of the last muleteer families in Colombia and follows the lives and mule train of two brothers as they get together for an epic mule driving journey to the highest peaks of the Andes. (North American Premiere)
FESTIVAL FAVORITESAcclaimed standouts & selected previous premieres from festivals around the world.
Adult Beginners (US Premiere)Director: Ross Katz, Screenplay: Jeff Cox, Elizabeth FlahiveCast: Rose Byrne, Nick Kroll, Bobby CannavaleOut of a job after a disastrous product launch, a big-city yuppie retreats to his suburban childhood home, in this heart-warming and hilarious film about crashing hard, coming home and waking up. Cast: Nick Kroll, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Joel McHale (U.S. Premiere)
Being EvelDirector: Daniel Junge, Screenwriters: Daniel Junge, Davis CoombeMillions know the man; few know his story. Academy Award-winning director Daniel Junge and producer Johnny Knoxville take a candid look at American daredevil Evel Knievel, while reflecting on our voracious public appetite for heroes and spectacle. * SXsports screening
Best of EnemiesDirectors: Morgan Neville, Robert GordonBest of Enemies is a behind-the-scenes account of the explosive 1968 televised debates between the liberal Gore Vidal and the conservative William F. Buckley Jr., and their rancorous disagreements about politics, God, and sex.
City of GoldDirector: Laura GabbertCity of Gold is a documentary portrait that takes us into Jonathan Gold’s universe to tell the improbable story of a revolution inspired by the pen, but driven by the palate.
EntertainmentDirector: Rick Alverson, Screenwriters: Rick Alverson, Gregg TurkingtonEn route to meet his estranged daughter and attempt to revive his dwindling career, a broken, aging comedian plays a string of dead-end shows in the Mojave desert. Cast: Gregg Turkington, John C. Reilly, Tye Sheridan
Finders KeepersDirectors: Bryan Carberry, Clay TweelFinders Keepers follows recovering addict and amputee John Wood in his stranger-than-fiction battle to reclaim his mummified leg from Southern entrepreneur Shannon Whisnant, who found it in a grill he bought at an auction.
Heaven Knows WhatDirectors: Joshua Safdie, Benny Safdie, Screenwriters: Ronald Bronstein, Josh SafdieCast: Arielle Holmes, Caleb Landry Jones, Buddy Duress, NecroThe latest from acclaimed sibling directors Josh and Benny Safdie (Daddy Longlegs) blends fiction, formalism and raw documentary as it follows a young heroin addict who finds mad love in the streets of New York.
The Last Man on the Moon (UK)Director: Mark CraigOne man's part in mankind's greatest adventure... (North American Premiere)
The Look of Silence (Denmark/Indonesia/Norway/Finland/UK)Director: Joshua OppenheimerDirector Joshua Oppenheimer's follow-up to the earth-shattering, Academy Award® nominated The Act of Killing.
Lost RiverDirector/Screenwriter: Ryan GoslingA family tries to hold on to their home in the ruins of a disappearing city. Cast: Christina Hendricks, Iain De Caestecker, Saoirse Ronan, Matt Smith, Reda Kateb, Barbara Stele, Eva Mendes, Ben Mendelsohn (US Premiere)
Ned RifleDirector/Screenwriter: Hal HartleyNed Rifle is the third and final chapter of Hal Hartley's tragicomic epic begun with Henry Fool (1998) and continued with Fay Grim (2007). In this swiftly paced and expansive conclusion, Henry and Fay's son, Ned, sets out to find and kill his father. Cast: Liam Aiken, Martin Donovan, Aubrey Plaza, Parker Posey, Thomas Jay Ryan, James Urbaniak, Robert John Burke, Bill Sage, Karen Sillas (US Premiere)
The OvernightDirector/Screenwriter: Patrick BriceTwo families meet at the park and set up a playdate that has unexpected outcomes for all. Cast: Adam Scott, Jason Schwartzman, Taylor Schilling, Judith Godrèche
ResultsDirector/Screenwriter: Andrew BujalskiA take on self improvement culture in America - with all it's promise and absurdity - stuffed into a peculiar romantic comedy. Cast: Guy Pearce, Cobie Smulders, Kevin Corrigan, Giovanni Ribisi, Anthony Michael Hall, Brooklyn Decker, Constance Zimmer * SXsports screening
Salt of the Earth (France)Director: Wim Wenders, Juliano Riberio Salgado, Screenwriters: Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, Wim WendersFor the last 40 years, photographer Sebastião Salgado has been travelling through the continents, in the footsteps of an ever-changing humanity. He is now embarking on the discovery of pristine territories, which is a tribute to the planet’s beauty.
UnexpectedDirector: Kris Swanberg, Screenwriters: Kris Swanberg, Megan MercierAn inner-city high school teacher discovers she is pregnant at the same time as one of her most promising students and the two develop an unlikely friendship while struggling to navigate their unexpected pregnancies. Cast: Cobie Smulders, Anders Holm, Gail Bean, Elizabeth McGovern
The Visit (Denmark/Austria/Ireland/Finland/Norway)Director/Screenwriter: Michael MadsenThis film documents an event that has never taken place – man’s first encounter with intelligent life from space.
Welcome to LeithDirectors: Michael Beach Nichols, Christopher K. WalkerA white supremacist attempts to take over a small town in North Dakota.
WesternDirectors: Bill Ross, Turner RossFor generations, all that distinguished Eagle Pass, Texas, from Piedras Negras, Mexico, was the Rio Grande. But when darkness descends upon these harmonious border towns, a cowboy and lawman face a new reality that threatens their way of life.
SPECIAL EVENTSExperiential cinema, cult re-issues & much more. Our Special Events section offers unusual, unexpected & unique one-off film events.
7 Days In HellDirector: Jake Szymanski, Screenwriter: Murray MillerA fictional documentary-style expose on the rivalry between two tennis stars who battled it out in a 1999 match that lasted seven days. Cast: Andy Samberg, Kit Harrington, Michael Sheen, Will Forte, Lena Dunham, Fred Armisen, Mary Steenburgen, Karen Gillan, John McEnroe, Serena Williams (World Premiere)* SXsports screening
Doug Benson & Master Pancake interrupt Leprechaun 3 (1995)Director: Brian Trenchard-Smith“The directness with which this movie went to video is apparent in nearly every single element.” Tim Brayton, Antagony and Ecstasy. Cast: Warwick Davis, John Gatins, Lee Armstrong
Jonathan Demme Presents Made In TexasDirectors: Louis Black, Mark RanceThe restoration of six films made in Austin in the early 1980s including David Boone's Invasion of the Aluminum People. The program was originally curated by Jonathan Demme and presented at the Collective for Living Cinema in NYC. (World Premiere)
The Road Warrior (Australia)Director: George Miller, Screenwriters: Terry Hayes, George MillerIn the post-apocalypse future, where humans fight over the few remaining stores of gasoline, Mad Max offers to drive a tanker through a gauntlet of psychos to safety on the coast. Special Q&A to follow with George Miller. Cast: Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Virginia Hey, Emil Minty, Kjell Nilsson, Max Phipps, Vernon Wells, David Slingsby, Steve J. Spears
A Space ProgramDirector: Van Neistat, Screenwriters: Van Neistat, Tom SachsThe artist Tom Sachs and his team of bricoleurs build a handmade space program and send two female astronauts to Mars. Cast: Sam Ratanarat, Mary Eannarino, Tom Sachs, Evan Murphy, Chris Beeston, Pat McCarthy, Nick Doyle, Kevin Hand, Jeff Lurie, Jared Vandeusen (World Premiere)
TrainwreckDirector: Judd Apatow, Screenwriter: Amy SchumerBlockbuster filmmaker Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, This Is 40) directs Universal Pictures’ Trainwreck, starring breakout comedic actress Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer). Cast: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, Vanessa Bayer, Tilda Swinton, Lebron James, John Cena (Debut of a Work in Progress)
Vertical CinemaDirector: Sonic ActsVertical Cinema is a series of ten newly commissioned large-scale works by experimental filmmakers and audiovisual artists, which are presented on 35mm celluloid and projected vertically with a custom-built projector. (North American Premiere)
An earlier version of this piece stated that "GTFO" was solely about Gamergate.
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