By Amanda Gilmore
When Director Penny Lane decides to donate her kidney to a stranger, she makes the decision to document each part of the process. Initially, she’s met with skepticism and many questions of ‘why’. As we watch her go through each step in the process, Lane manages to change our way of thinking and make us laugh while she does it.
Confessions of a Good Samaritan is an in-depth inquiry into the science, history, and ethics of organ transplantation. Experts across many fields lend their knowledge not only of the process of organ transplantation but traits of the individuals who donate. A particular section on the meaning and importance of altruism is the first time audience members start understanding what makes someone want to become a donor. This altruism is showcased through Lane. Although she doesn’t think of herself as a good samaritan in the beginning. Following her story informs the viewer of the lengthy process a donor experiences. And her quirky personality is the cherry on top of this entertaining, through-provoking Documentary.
By the end, Lane has changed our question of ‘why’ into ‘why not’. We see that donating a kidney, or something as small as agreeing to be an organ donor on your driver’s license, is something anyone could and should do. She’s brought us along on her journey and showed us that there is a different way to live. Not a life of only thinking about ourselves and our close loved ones. But one where we can extend that care, nurture, kindness and love to strangers. It’s clear that the world would be a much better place with more good samaritans.
Confessions of a Good Samaritan screens at SXSW ’23 as follows:
Mar 10 at 5:00pm at Alamo Lamar B
Mar 11 at 11:00am at Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema
Mar 15 at 12:30pm at Violet Crown Cinema 1
Mar 15 at 1:00pm at Violet Crown Cinema 3
By Mr. Will Wong
After its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, Canadian-Korean Director Lloyd Lee Choi brings his Short CLOSING DYNASTY to SXSW 2023. And what a beautiful work it is. At the heart of the story is seven-year-old Queenie (Milinka Winata), who should be in school, but instead is hustling the streets. Whether it be running her school basketball team scam on the train, hawking roses to turn a profit or dumpster diving for treasures, Queenie is determined to make a buck. But we’re left wondering why?
We see New York City throught Queenie‘s hopeful eyes, thanks to a spirited turn by our star Winata who despite her young age is able to master her character’s quiet nuances, yet capture her entrepreneurial drive. And did we mention her speaking Mandarin-Chinese with aplomb?
Cinematography by Christopher Lew is sublime and this 17-minute Short comes with an impressive polish. And when the lens finally zooms-out, we get the reality of where we are today, with the world fighting its way out of some very tough times and what that means for many of us, including young Queenie.
CLOSING DYNASTY screens at SXSW ’23 as follows:
Mar 11, 2023
11:00am—12:42pm
Mar 15, 2023
6:30pm—8:12pm
By Mr. Will Wong
One of the great things about SXSW is the platform it gives to deserving voices. ROGER J. CARTER: REBEL REVOLUTIONARY is a Documentary Short by Justin Fairweather. It centers on its titular figure (pardon the pun), a Chicago-based Visual Artist who raises awareness of revolutionaries who are changing the narrative of the minority experience in America.
Over six minutes, we meet Carter briefly, who gives us a bit his own backstory. It is however when his craft is revealed do we truly see the expansiveness of what he is doing. Carter takes toy soldier figurines, assembling them into portraits of revolutionaries for marginalized communities like President Obama, Muhammad Ali, Kamala Harris, Breonna Taylor, Malcolm X and more.
Simply breathtaking, and a story that warrants attention. We just wish Fairweather went further into what pushed Carter‘s creativity – a level of genius is triggered by something affecting and we want to know more. Regardless, Carter‘s artwork speaks for itself.
ROGER J. CARTER: REBEL REVOLUTIONARY screens at SXSW ’23 as follows:
Mar 12, 2023
11:00am—12:35pm
Mar 16, 2023
3:30pm—5:05pm
By Mr. Will Wong
Up-and-coming Filmmaker Sean Wang is a name to look-out for as evinced by his heartfelt and funny meditiation of life in NAI NAI & WAI PO (GRANDMA & GRANDMA). Wang returns home to visit his two paternal and maternal grandmothers who happen to live together, sleep together and are BFFs.
The Documentary Short, spanning 17 minutes begins as a festive reunion. The energy of their playful banter between the two women is infectious – fart jokes, “making it rain” and all. But as the Film progresses, we get glimpses into Wang’s grandmother’s past lives, which weren’t so easy. In Mandarin-Chinese, they speak on widowhood, not having necessities during times of war and looking back at photo albums to remember what they looked like. The underlying theme though is an appreciation of the now and getting to spend time with their grandson, and this could their last time together.
So many emotions, affecting, sweet and self-reflective. And incredibly timely as American Cinema continues to experience an renaissance of the Asian-American experience right now. Wang leaves us wanting more and we get why right away he felt it was a great idea to document these fascinating and endearing women who happen to be his two grandmothers.
NAI NAI & WO PO is not to be missed. It screens at SXSW ’23 as follows:
Mar 12, 2023
2:15pm — 3:46pm
Mar 16, 2023
6:45pm — 8:16pm
SXSW is set to kick-off Friday March 10, 2023 through March 18, 2023 in Austin. Team Mr. Will is here to bring you some of their top picks of the Film & TV component of the Festival, which is back again in-person fully. The Festival kicks-off this year with Opening Night selection DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES. The eagerly-awaited Blockbuster co-directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley stars an impressive Cast including Chris Pine, Regé-Jean Page, Hugh Grant, Sophia Lillis, Michelle Rodriguez and more. This follows on the footsteps of last year’s Opening Night film, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, which has been propelled to major Awards Season success.
Other high-profile titles to premiere at the Film & TV Festival include Evil Dead Rise directed by Lee Cronin; Problemista directed by Julio Torres; Flamin’ Hot directed by Eva Longoria; Janine Nabers and Donald Glover’s Swarm; Lee Sung Jin’s Beef and several more.
Team Mr. Will preview for you some of their own most-anticipated titles at SXSW 2023.
Bottoms
Toronto-born Director-Writer Emma Seligman is re-teaming with star-on-the-rise Rachel Sennott! And I CANNOT WAIT! I loved Shiva Baby and know that only greatness will come from this duo. Additionally, as a huge fan of The Bear, I am so excited to see breakout star Ayo Edebiri as part of its Cast.
Fancy Dance
I heard so many great things about this Film coming out of Sundance early this year. It’s the feature directorial debut from Erica Tremblay and follows a Native American hustler who kidnaps her niece from her white grandparents and sets out for the state powwow in the hope of keeping what’s left of their family intact.
Joy Ride
I always search for Comedy at SXSW because they tend to be breakout hits. This Comedy directed by Adele Lim has a stellar cast including Everything Everywhere All at Once fav Stephanie Hsu. And it just happens to be produced by two funny men collaborators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.
National Anthem
I’m a huge fan of Halsey and she’s acting in this touching story about a construction worker in New Mexico who joins a group of queer rodeo performers. There has been a lot of buzz going into the Festival for this Film and I am sure it won’t disappoint.
Bloody Hell
This Canadian film sounds like a blast. It follows a teen girl who is diagnosed with a reproductive condition that upends her sex life. Thus, sending her on a journey exploring unusual methods. It stars Maddie Ziegler and Emily Hampshire.
I want to shout out a film I’ve already seen and I believe all of you should: War Pony. It’s a breathtaking film that follows the interlocking stories of two young Oglala Lakota men group on on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
I am three-years-deep and still fascinated by the films the SXSW team programs every March. It is such an odd and eclectic mix of indies, docs and genre films, and well, it speaks directly to my eclectic taste in cinema. And though it lacks the prestige of TIFF or Cannes, and is a little more punk rock than Sundance, I love how much of a unique identity SXSW has. Hopefully, next year I can take the plunge and go to Austin for a long weekend just to soak up all of the films, the BBQ, and this terrific community the festival has cultivated. I am intrigued about a number of pictures and twisted visions unfolding over the coming week and a half, but these are the ones I am most excited for:
Evil Dead Rise
I love the Evil Dead franchise, full-stop. The remake we got in 2013 was a whole lot better than it should have been, and this new entry (which trades the creepy cabin, horny teenagers and everyman Ash Williams for a family in a creepy high rise tower) looks and sounds positively bonkers. I was grinning like a maniac watching the R-rated trailer just recently, and am all in for the gory, grotesque and groovy blood bath that Writer/Director Lee Cronin has cooked-up. Might want to pack a poncho and an umbrella for this one.
Bottoms/I Used To Be Funny
Have you accepted Rachel Sennott as your new queen yet? This one-two punch of Dark Comedies – one about two loser high schoolers who create a fight club in order to get laid, and the other about an aspiring comedian and former nanny struggling with PTSD – should certainly clue you into what you have been missing in your life. They both sound like wild rides, and should certainly provide plenty of laughs from this star on the rise. Did I ask if you accepted her as your queen yet?
299 Queen Street West
If you are of a certain generation, you likely remember when MUCH was actually called MuchMusic. And it played music. Those days may be long behind us, but Sean Maynard’s Documentary about the life and times of the iconic building, studio and brand is bound to bring back a whole lot of memories. I cannot wait to see what artifacts he was able to dig-up.
Self Reliance
No need to even discuss a plot here – this is the directorial debut of Jake Johnson. He wrote and produced the Film too, alongside the Lonely Island. And he stars in it, alongside Anna Kendrick, Andy Samberg, Natalie Morales, Christopher Lloyd, Wayne Brady and Schitt’s Creek’s Emily Hampshire (also at SXSW 2023 with Bloody Hell). Do I really need to say more, or are you just as quickly on-board as I was?
Plan C
As a CIS white male, my opinion on abortion does not matter. Nor should it matter to the men who helped overturn Roe v. Wade. What a woman does with her own body is none of our fucking concern. Plain and simple. Sadly, not everyone feels that way, as we would not need Docs like Plan C if they did. The Film centres around a large group of individuals who have been networking since 2014 in an attempt to increase access to abortion pills across the United States. With how turbulent things are going, and the fact that I have my own daughter now, this one is quite simply a must-see.
Tetris
Centering around true events and Henk Rogers’ (played by Taron Egerton) uphill battle to secure legal rights to international gaming sensation TETRIS, this Drama from Jon S. Baird is a must-see. Especially for those of us who grew-up in the ’80s and ’90s and played this religiously on our Nintendo Gameboys. This premieres more towards the end of the Festival on March 15th and arrives on Apple TV+ March 31, 2023. Who’d have known there was this much Drama behind something that brought us so much joy? Did you know the game actually originally belonged to the people of the Soviet Union?
American Born Chinese
Based on Gene Luen Yang’s Graphic Novel of the same name, SXSW is so lucky to continue this renaissance of the Asian-American experience. The upcoming Disney+ series centers on Jin Wang (Ben Wang), struggling with his school life and home life. He meets the new foreign exchange student at his school, leading him to become involved in a battle between Gods of Chinese mythology. The Series reunites EEAAO stars Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. This also premieres later in the Festival on March 15th and it arrives May 24, 2023 on Disney+.
I Used to be Funny
Filmed right here at home, Toronto’s Ally Pankiw writes and directs this Comedy starring SXSW 2023 Queen Rachel Sennott (also at the Festival with the exciting BOTTOMS as mentioned by Amanda and David) as a Comedian battling PTSD and deciding whether or not to search for a missing teen girl whom she used to nanny. This premieres March 13th at the Festival.
Flamin’ Hot
Who doesn’t love Flamin’ Hot Cheetos? Flamin’ Hot is the story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia) the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican-American heritage and upbringing to turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a snack that ignited a spice-loving frenzing, becoming a worldwide sensation! Eva Longoria directs this origins story which we can totally get behind. This premieres March 11th.
Problemista
Expect Julio Torres to be the breakout star of SXSW 2023 writing, directing and also starring in this Comedy about a Toy Designer from El Salvador who is stuck in a job assisting an unpredictable Art World outcast in order to stay in America. Also stars Greta Lee and TILDA SWINTON! This debuts March 13th at the Festival.
Also, a warm mention goes to Canada’s BLACKBERRY which recounts the rise of the mobile phone that once ruled the world, from Director/Writer Matt Johnson. Jay Baruchel stars as Mike Lazaridis in this Drama which will be released via Elevation Pictures April 28, 2023. This got plenty of traction out of its Berlin International Film Festival Premiere and we cannot wait to see. It premieres March 13th at SXSW 2023.
More on the SXSW 2023 lineup here. We’ll be bringing updates from the Festival daily. Stay tuned for more.
Today, Amazon Studios released the teaser trailer for the new series Swarm, premiering all episodes on March 17 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. From co-creators and executive producers Janine Nabers and Donald Glover, the series stars Dominique Fishback as Dre. Swarm is set as the Opening Night TV Premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival in Austin, Texas on March 10, 2023.
Janine Nabers serves as showrunner for the series and Donald Glover directed the pilot. Stephen Glover, Fam Udeorji, Steven Prinz, and Michael Schaefer serve as executive producers. Dominique Fishback also serves as a producer. Swarm comes from Amazon Studios and Gilga.
(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)
By David Baldwin
When the title of your movie is BITCH ASS, it is safe to assume you will attract some attention. Add a splash of ’90s-inspired horror and the gritty, independent flavour of the ’70s Blaxploitation era, and you have all of the hallmarks of a future cult classic in the making.
The Film opens on legendary Horror icon Tony Todd (in deliciously over-the-top Cryptkeeper mode) popping in a VHS tape and introducing us to the titular character (played by Tunde Laleye). He is hideously-scarred, obsessed with board games and lives in his late grandmother’s house, rumoured to be filled with cash and all kinds of valuable items. When a group of teenagers break into the house as a form of gang initiation, the so-called “first Black serial killer to don a mask” springs into action and forces his prey to play a game…to the death!
Is it possible to like a concept and idea more than the execution? That is the question I found myself asking constantly during BITCH ASS. Writer/Director Bill Posley has constructed a very, very fun idea with the demented serial killer forcing his victims into high stake manifestations of classic board games you will immediately recognize. It may be easy to think of the Saw films after reading that, yet Posley’s elaborate games are not nearly as sadistic or mean-spirited (though he may have borrowed some of those films’ editing cues). Where he falters – beyond the budget-conscious, lo-fi look of the Picture – is in his storyline, which seems to never know when to end or where to stop giving out exposition. It is clear from the start who the players are and their relationships/connections to the other characters. You did not need multiple flashbacks to spell it out further. Worse, Posley’s game scenes are so slickly-produced that practically everything else around them suffer (including some horrific lighting effects that should not have been added in post).
While the acting is well-done all around and the gore and makeup effects are solid, I feel like BITCH ASS could have been tightened up. More to the point, it works better as a feature-length proof of concept versus anything else. The ideas and characters are all here, as is the humour and the blood. Posley just needs a healthier budget to bring it altogether.
BITCH ASS screens at SXSW‘ 22 as follows:
In-Person:
Monday, March 14 at 11:00PM EST – Alamo Lamar D
Wednesday, March 16 at 11:15PM EST – Alamo Lamar D
Saturday, March 19 at 4:15PM – Alamo Lamar B
Online:
Tuesday, March 15 at 10:00AM EST – Available for 48 Hours
By David Baldwin
It’s Mid-Term time and Ben Palmer (Connor Kalopsis) is desperate to get his grades. He needs to submit them to his choice colleges, and science teacher Mrs. Wheeler (Oscar-winner Rita Moreno) is holding him up. Seems like someone cheated in her class, and Wheeler is adamant to discover who – at the expense of giving every student an F as she waits. Freaking out, Ben confides in his slacker and coding genius friend Mei (Ramona Young from Never Have I Ever), but strongly discourages her from doing anything about it. Mei does not listen of course, and ends up constructing an elaborate online prank suggesting that Mrs. Wheeler is a serial killer. And it just went viral.
THE PRANK is an outrageously-silly film that would fit in well with the crop of ’90s Horror films that popped up in the wake of Scream. It does not take itself seriously, it dials-up the tension well past plausibility and it has a satirical edge that it consistently tries to inject into the proceedings. It has an amusing tongue-in-cheek style as it lampoons social media and those gullibly-pesky Boomers. If any of those words make no sense to you, than you are not well equipped for what THE PRANK is all too excited to throw at you. Or at least, what it is willing to throw at you during the first two acts. When the Third Act hits, it becomes genuinely chaotic, unruly, and completely unsure of itself. It comes to its logical conclusion, only to continue on a through line ripped from an entirely different movie that trades humour for becoming substantially more preposterous.
While the acting is hit and miss (minus a very campy Keith David, who seems to be acting on an entirely different plane of existence away from everyone else), what remains rock solid throughout is Moreno. From the very start, she is having an absolute blast diving into this mysterious, diabolical character. She chomps right through the scenery and feasts on anyone that gets in her way. She understands the assignment all too well, and relishes in playing such an awful individual. The sinister energy she brings to the picture is reason enough to watch THE PRANK. She just deserved a better outlet to showcase it in.
THE PRANK screens at SXSW ‘22 as follows:
In-Person:
Sunday, March 13 at 12:45PM EST – ZACH Theatre
Tuesday, March 15 at 9:30PM EST – Alamo Lamar B
Thursday, March 17 at 3:45PM EST – Alamo Lamar E
Online:
Monday, March 14 at 10:00AM EST – Available for 48 Hours
By Amanda Gilmore
More Than Robots is about adversity, sportsmanship, giving back, and ultimately finding who you are.
This inspiring Documentary from Actor-turned-Director Gillian Jacobs follows four teams of teenagers from around the world as they prepare for the 2020 FIRST® Robotics Competition. Jacobs narrows-in on the teams from Los Angeles, Mexico City and Chiba, Japan as they work on their unique designs with the goal of competing in the global championships.
Jacobs gets us access to this highly-competitive world of Robotics right before the pandemic hit. Therefore, showing them as they are meant to be: big sporting events. With the fans in the stands and mascots pumping them up, the atmosphere is infectious. Jacobs makes us want to be there right along with it, which makes the final minutes of the Doc all the more upsetting. The teams who made it to the Championship never got to go due to the pandemic.
Jacobs manages to use the pandemic to show us the resilience of these engineers. During this disconnected time, the teammates realize they’re stronger together. Instead of being upset about the cancelled competitions, they mobilize to make changes in their communities. That’s the heart of More Than Robots, the effect this club has on its members. They learn perseverance, patience and collaboration. In doing so, these members learn who they are and what they want to do in the world.
Jacobs’ brilliant turn as a Director with the inspiring More Than Robots will have you rushing to get to the next Robotics Competition in your area.
More Than Robots will release on Disney+ on Friday, March 18, 2022.
More Than Robots screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:
In-Person:
Monday, March 14 at 7:30 PM EST – SXSW Film Theatre
Tuesday, March 15 at 7:00 PM EST – Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema
Wednesday, March 16 at 8:15 PM EST – Alamo Lamar D
Online:
Tuesday, March 15 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours
Winners of the 2022 SXSW Jury and Special Awards have been unveiled. Winning top prize in the Narrative category is James Morosini‘s self-written, directed and starring I LOVE MY DAD. The autobiographical Comedy also starring Patton Owalt as his catfishing father won raves, touching fans with its heart at the Festival. Documentary MASTER OF LIGHT from Director Rosa Ruth Boesten won the Documentary Feature Competition. The Film centers on Painter George Anthony Morton, who cut his teeth in prison, studying the greats.
Additional winners are as follows:
Feature Film Grand Jury Awards
NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION Presented by Panavision
Winner: I Love My Dad
Director/Screenwriter: James Morosini, Producers: Bill Stertz, Patton Oswalt, Sean O’Grady, Dane Eckerle, Phil Keefe, Daniel Brandt, Sam Slater
“A bold, funny film that marks an impressive feature debut for writer-director-star James Morosini, I Love My Dad finely threads the needle with its tale of an estranged father (Patton Oswalt) who catfishes his son (Morosini) in an attempt to reconnect. Working from a screenplay based on his own real-life story, Morosini displays massive empathy as a filmmaker to get into the mind of the father he feels betrayed by, and also as an actor portraying the impact of that betrayal. He’s aided by a great cast, particularly Oswalt.”
Special Jury Recognition for Extraordinary Cinematic Vision: Cast and Crew, It Is in Us All
“Every creative element of It Is in Us All, from its editing and music to its performances and cinematography, works in tandem to craft a haunting atmosphere. Writer-director-actor Antonia Campbell-Hughes’ extraordinary feature debut is a remarkable example of how the various artistic facets of a movie can converge to create something cinematic, in the purest and most soulful sense: a work that accesses some part of you that feels hidden away.”
Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Performance: Elizaveta Yankovskaya, Nika
“In her first lead role in a feature, Elizaveta Yankovskaya delivers a knockout portrait brimming with rage, joy, despair, uncertainty and 20-something yearning. She plays Nika Turbina, a real-life figure who, after fame was thrust upon her as a child poet, finds herself past her prime before she’s 30. Whatever narrative conjectures the intimate drama might make, there isn’t a moment in Yankovskaya’s breathtaking performance that doesn’t ring true with messy emotional complexity, or that doesn’t feel like unpredictable life itself unfolding before our eyes.”
A big thanks to our Narrative Feature Competition presenting sponsor Panavision, the global provider of optics, cameras, and end-to-end services that power the creative vision of filmmakers.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION Presented by IMAX
Winner: Master of Light
Director: Rosa Ruth Boesten, Producers: Roger Ross Williams, Anousha Nzume, Ilja Roomans
“In both substance and form, Master of Light is a gift. The earnest and gifted painter George Anthony Morton embeds viewers in his world as he struggles to render his mother — both on the canvas and in his psyche. Boesten disabuses us of static tropes about America’s merciless drug war and about contemporary art. With astonishing intimacy, the film’s visuals build an artful bridge between two- and three-dimensional realms that are deeply rooted and utterly transcendent. Put this painting of a film in a museum, next to a Rembrandt and a Morton.”
Special Jury Recognition for Exceptional Intimacy in Storytelling: Bad AxeDirector: David Siev, Producers: Jude Harris, Diane Quon, Katarina Vasquez, David Siev
“Stories centered on the pursuit of the “American Dream” abound. Rarely do they portray the sacrifices and recurrent trials that the promise of a better life entails the way director David Siev accomplishes with Bad Axe. Examining those closest to him with profound compassion and incisive curiosity, he paints a distinct and easily recognizable portrait of the alienation many feel in the place they call home, by birth or by circumstance. For its ability to reveal something unexpected about the American fabric and the American family, Bad Axe deserves celebration.”
Special Jury Recognition for Acting in a Documentary: Steve Glew, Pez Outlaw
“Steve Glew is the kind of colorful character that most documentarians dream of capturing, a born storyteller with a crackerjack sense of scene-setting and comic timing. In the tradition of Muhammad Ali in The Greatest and Evel Knievel in Viva Kneivel!, The Pez Outlaw’s reenactment sequences cast the only actor who could credibly bring Mr. Glew’s exploits to life: the man himself. There’s something uniquely American about Glew’s mixture of chutzpah, ingenuity, charisma, and grievance that makes him a mesmerizing onscreen presence.”
Since 1970 IMAX Documentaries have immersed audiences in real-life stories told on a grand scale. In 2022 that tradition continues as a new generation of filmmakers turns its lens to a theatrical experience like no other. Today, IMAX is honored to present this year’s documentary award to recognize the future — gifted storytellers who are bringing their stories to audiences in powerful and wondrous ways.
SHORT FILM GRAND JURY AWARDS Presented by IMDbPro
NARRATIVE SHORT COMPETITION
Winner: All the Crows in the World
Director/Screenwriter: Tang Yi, Producer: Haozheng Li
“The jury recognizes All The Crows in the World as the Jury Award Winner, a film that reminded us of the power of short-form cinema as a stand-alone art form on its own. The film’s balancing of surrealism, bizarreness, tenderness, and reality was only outdone by its inventive narrative and critiques of patriarchal culture, paired with execution by a director who is clearly in command of her craft.”
Special Jury Recognition for Directing and Community Filmmaking: Glitter Ain’t Gold
Director/Screenwriter: Christian Nolan Jones, Producers: Maia Miller, T. Popps, O. Valerie Nicolas
“The jury awards Glitter Ain’t Gold a Special Jury Recognition for Directing and Community Filmmaking, which stood out for its vibrant narrative and authentically palpable energy filled with compelling visuals and inventive editing harmoniously coupled with powerfully nostalgic music. It was clear that its level of specificity was a direct result of a community that came together to make a profound piece of art that touched us deeply.”
Special Jury Recognition for Outstanding Performances: Aphrodite Armstrong, Kyle Riggs, West by God
“The jury awards a Special Jury Recognition for Outstanding Performances to Aphrodite Armstrong and Kyle Riggs for West by God. Their dynamic and visceral performances beautifully emulate the powerful themes within the film about the human condition and the need for love, no matter what your walk of life.”
DOCUMENTARY SHORT COMPETITION
Winner: Long Line of Ladies
Directors: Rayka Zehtabchi, Shaandiin Tome, Producers: Garrett Schiff, Pimm Tripp-Allen, Rayka Zehtabchi, Sam Davis, Dana Kurth
“Long Line of Ladies presents an affecting perspective on celebrated generational cultural traditions. The tapestry of beautiful cinematography and vivid character moments elevates the filmmakers’ vision, inviting us into a devoted community that is committed to preserving their heritage.”
Special Jury Recognition for Visual Reflection: not even for a moment do things stand still
Director: Jamie Meltzer, Producers: Annie Marr, Jamie Meltzer, Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg
“In a simple, yet profoundly moving way, not even for a moment do things stand still allows us to sincerely reflect on the lives we have lost over the past two years. The poetic visual language gives us a new perspective on a sadly familiar topic of love, life and loss.”
MIDNIGHT SHORTS
Winner: Moshari
Director/Screenwriter: Nuhash Humayun, Producers: Bushra Afreen, Nuhash Humayun
“Moshari is a terrifying, spine-chilling horror tale centering two sisters that renders a fresh take on blood sucking creatures set in an non-traditional post-apocalyptic world. The compelling performances, the haunting visuals and the layered storytelling highlight the director’s command of the genre and make him someone to watch. Nuhash Humayun has the ability to take recognizable elements, flip them on their head and turn them into nightmares. Moshari has created an allegorical story that will resonate with the viewer on a deeper level.”
Special Jury Recognition for Powerful “Short Trip”: Omi
Director: Kelly Fyffe-Marshall, Screenwriters: Tamar Bird, Kelly Fyffe-Marshall, Producer: Tamar Bird
“Unexpected, effective and engaging film that in under three minutes manages to set up the lore, get us invested in the characters, while leaving us fulfilled and still craving more. Kelly Fyffe-Marshall has created a grounded supernatural story that is provocative, mysterious and unforgettable.”
ANIMATED SHORTS
Winner: Bestia
Director: Hugo Covarrubias, Screenwriters: Martín Erazo, Hugo Covarrubias, Producers: Tevo Díaz, Hugo Covarrubias
“Bestia is an exquisite, intimate peek at the dreams and memories of a sadistic secret agent, set in a tactile stop-motion non-wonderland, where a porcelain exterior isn’t enough to keep the damage away.”
Special Jury Recognition for Unexpected Emotion: Les Larmes de la Seine
Directors/Screenwriters: Yanis Belaid, Eliott Benard, Producer: Carlos De Carvalho
“The magic trick of this film is that it describes great tragedy almost entirely with joy. History comes alive as we are immersed in raw beautiful humanity that jokes, laughs, feels nervous, fights, and dies. By illustrating extreme distress with astonishing euphoria, the directors create a fever dream “photo negative” glimpse of what we’ve missed by living with hatred and abuse rather than love and understanding. Like a sad melody played in major key, the film is both haunting and uplifting while stirring emotions like no film we’ve ever seen.”
Special Jury Recognition for Visceral Storytelling: Something in the Garden
Director/Screenwriter/Producer: Marcos Sánchez
“It is so important to keep your brain open to play, and we commend this film’s playful spirit combined with its beautiful animation, reminiscent of a graphic novel. It felt at the perfect cross section of horror and ASMR, using impeccable pacing and sound design to take us on a visceral journey that thrilled, scared and delighted us. A brilliant use of the animated short form medium!”
MUSIC VIDEOS
Winner: Desirée Dawson – ‘Meet Me at the Light’
Director/Screenwriter: Alexander Farah
“Without a single detail wasted, we were all moved to tears by this powerful story from a first-time music video director. Featuring equally beautiful performances, editing, and cinematography, we present the Best Music Video award to Desirée Dawson – Meet Me at the Light by Alexander Farah.”
Special Jury Recognition for Going the Extra Mile: Myd – ‘Let You Speak’
Director/Screenwriter: Dan Carr
“Funny, unexpected, and with a meta wink to the industry, our special jury mention went above and beyond our expectations, taking us around the world to various locations with a group of ragtag misfits that made us LOL along the way. Hence, the ‘Extra Mile’ award. The Special Jury Award for Going The Extra Mile Goes to Myd “Let You Speak” by Dan Carr.”
TEXAS SHORTS
Winner: Folk Frontera
Directors: Alejandra Vasquez, Sam Osborn
“Centered around characters who call the desert borderlands of Texas their home, Folk Frontera turns the traditional documentary form on its head. Filmmakers Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn imbue the documentary with the same magic and surrealism that feels authentic to the Chihuahuan Desert and its communities. Dreamlike visuals and nuanced presentation of the subjects’ stories make for a special experience.”
Special Jury Recognition for Vision: Birds
Director/Screenwriter: Katherine Propper, Producer: Sophia Loffreda
“Katherine Propper’s Birds feels both fresh and warmly familiar to anyone who’s grown up during a Central Texas summer. Members of the film’s exceptional young ensemble shine in natural performances that help us see gorgeously shot scenery in a new light.”
TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL SHORTS
Winner: Honeybee
Director/Screenwriter/Producer: Emilio Vazquez Reyes
“Honeybee is a beautifully-written, thoughtfully-crafted film that unfolds with a gentle and disciplined reveal, helping to humanize the experience of an undocumented immigrant. We felt this film was a graceful way to tell a difficult story, using all of the important elements like cinematography, music and editing to both advance the story and sincerely engage with the audience.”
Special Jury Recognition for Artistic Expression: It’s Getting Bad Again
Director/Screenwriter: Sarah Reyes, Producers: Sarah Reyes, Kenneth Rogers
“As an artist, Sarah Reyes captures a roller-coaster of an emotional exploration that balances darkness, humor and music in a poetic and refreshing way, all the while prompting an important dialogue about mental health awareness.”
A big thanks to our presenting sponsor, IMDbPro. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, IMDbPro is the essential resource for entertainment industry professionals. This membership-based service empowers entertainment professionals with information and tools designed to help them achieve success throughout their career. IMDbPro has an ongoing commitment to supporting and collaborating with organizations that create greater diversity, equity and inclusion in the entertainment industry and is a service of IMDb, the #1 movie website in the world. Learn more at www.imdbpro.com and follow @IMDbPro
MailChimp is another proud supporter of the Shorts program and have created their own award to help further the career of one lucky filmmaker, as well as provided financial prize support for all of the SXSW Shorts Jury Awards winners.
EPISODIC PILOT COMPETITION
Winner: Something Undone
Director: Nicole Dorsey, Screenwriters: Michael Musi, Madison Walsh, Producers: Max Topplin, Jordan Hayes
“The jury honors Something Undone for cleverly rethinking and repurposing oft-used elements of mystery/horror storytelling. The subtlety of the episode’s writing and acting are complemented by specific and stylized direction and cinematography. And above all, Something Undone sets itself apart with its smart use of diegetic sound, establishing quietly humorous commentary on the sounds of the genre at large — while also totally terrifying us in just ten minutes.”
Special Jury Recognition for Unique Vision in Writing and Directing: Pamela Ribon and Sara Gunnarsdóttir, My Year of Dicks
“For its thoughtful curation of imagery combined with a funny and inventive script, the Special Jury Recognition for Unique Vision in Writing and Directing goes to Pamela Ribon and Sara Gunnarsdóttir for My Year of Dicks. Their bold voices overlap to make for an experience of feminine youth and sexual exploration that is both relatable and entirely its own.”
SXSW Film Design Awards Presented by Adobe
POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION
Winner: More Than I Remember
Designer: Yen Tan, Maya Edelman
“This poster evokes so many feelings at once, from the captivating gaze to the lush swirl of colors that surround you — it draws you in, tempting you to look harder, to try and unlock whatever secret is hidden just beyond reach. The text and illustration are perfectly integrated to create something powerful and mysterious, catching not just your attention, but your imagination as well.”
Special Jury Recognition: The Sentence of Michael Thompson
Designer: Juan Miguel Marin
“Understated intensity and a timeless quality make this poster truly effective — from across the room it immediately catches the eye. Type, design, and image work together to form a complete narrative, one you want to know more about. Understated intensity and a timeless quality make it truly effective.”
TITLE DESIGN COMPETITION
Winner: Foundation Title Sequence
Designer: Ronnie Koff
Company: Imaginary Forces
“A beautifully constructed sequence that encapsulates the show’s futuristic setting as humans have colonized the galaxy. Using a particle system to form these incredible images each frame is a visual triumph as we journey through this vibrant main title.”
Special Jury Recognition: The White Lotus Title Sequence
Designers: Katrina Crawford, Mark Bashore
Company: Plains of Yonder
“This title’s distinctive design perfectly sets up the audience for the show and reflects the suffering before enlightenment of its protagonists. Its stunning illustrations capture the soul of the story and are enhanced by the flawless score.”
XR EXPERIENCE COMPETITION
Winner: On the Morning You Wake (To the End of the World)
Directors: Dr. Jamaica Heolomeleikalani Osorio, Mike Brett, Steve Jamison, Pierre Zandrowicz, Arnaud Colinart, Screenwriters: Mike Brett, Steve Jamison, Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, Producers: Arnaud Colinart, Mike Brett, Steve Jamison, Jo-Jo Ellison
“On The Morning You Wake (To the End of the World) is an emotionally impactful and beautifully told story, delivered with stunning technical craftsmanship. This project explores the potential of immersive experiences, refining the grammar of spatial narrative. This particular story deals with the urgency of nuclear disarmament that has very unfortunately come into sharp focus due to current events. It effectively presents a massive geopolitical issue and grounds it in emotional and personal stories, translating what are usually abstract concepts into an embodied context.”
Special Jury Recognition for Immersive Storytelling: (Hi)story of a Painting: The Light in the Shadow
Directors: Quentin Darras, Gaëlle Mourre, Screenwriter: Gaëlle Mourre, Producers: Charlotte Mikkelborg, Gaëlle Mourre
“(Hi)story of a Painting: The Light in the Shadow receives a Special Jury Recognition for immersive storytelling. This experience uses the medium of VR to transport us into history, revealing the story of a lesser known female baroque artist, her resistance to the patriarchy and determination in the face of adversity.”
SXSW Special Awards
Fandor New Voices Award
Fandor is proud to present the first ever Fandor New Voices Award, celebrating an outstanding feature making its worldwide premiere this year at the 35th annual SXSW festival. At Fandor, we are delighted to elevate the work of inspiring, imaginative, and independent storytellers, so it is with great pleasure that we present the Fandor New Voices Award to a female or person of color who is making their directorial debut with a Narrative Feature or Documentary. Fandor is and always will be proud to uplift the work of these amazing filmmakers.
Fandor New Voices Award
Presented to: What We Leave Behind
Director: Iliana Sosa, Producers: Emma D. Miller, Iliana Sosa, Isidore Bethel (co-producer)
Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award
In honor of a filmmaker whose work strives to be wholly its own, without regard for norms or desire to conform. The Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award is presented to a filmmaker from our Visions screening category.
Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award
Presented to: Chee$e
Director/Screenwriter: Damian Marcano, Producer: Alexa Marcano
Adobe Editing Award
Adobe is committed to celebrating creativity for all and empowering everyone to bring their stories to life. By creating greater opportunity for all voices, we can enact change in our communities and move the world forward. We are proud to celebrate the art and craft of editing as we grant the Adobe Editing Award at the SXSW Film Awards. We are also pleased to spotlight this year’s incredible title and poster designers through the Film Design Awards presented by Adobe.
Adobe Editing Award
Presented to: Everything Everywhere All At Once
Editor: Paul Rogers
Louis Black “Lone Star” Award
To honor SXSW co-founder/director Louis Black, a jury prize was created in 2011 called the Louis Black “Lone Star” Award, presented to a feature film world premiering at SXSW that was shot primarily in Texas or directed by a current resident of Texas. (Opt-in Award)
Louis Black “Lone Star” Award
Winner: What We Leave Behind
Director: Iliana Sosa, Producers: Emma D. Miller, Iliana Sosa, Isidore Bethel (co-producer)
“Iliana Sosa’s exquisite documentary What We Leave Behind is a love letter to her Mexican grandfather, whose final decline she chronicles with artful grace. It is also a moving look at a family disconnected by both border and dreams, and how their patriarch, too old now for his monthly 20-hour bus rides from Durango into Texas, worries who will hold the center once he’s gone. Eighty-nine year old Julian has the face and gravitas of an old time movie star. Sosa has made a profound, gorgeous movie worthy of her precious subject.”
ZEISS Cinematography Award
ZEISS Cine Lenses is honored to be returning this year to support the SXSW film community in the Cinematography category. We believe that by supporting the art within the frame, ZEISS helps filmmakers realize their creative vision.
ZEISS Cinematography Award
Winner: A Vanishing Fog
Cinematographer: Gio Park
Mailchimp Support the Shorts Award
Mailchimp is committed to uplifting and supporting creators. We’re so proud to support SXSW by helping short films win big. We congratulate the honorees of the Support the Shorts Award as well as the entire SXSW-invited filmmaking community.
Mailchimp Support the Shorts Award
Presented to: The Voice Actress
Director/Screenwriter: Anna J. Takayama, Producer: Joe Skinner
“With its impeccable compositions and captivating lead performance, The Voice Actress offers a sensitive peek behind the scenes of an ever-changing industry. This patient study of imagination and aging achieves extraordinary depth thanks to Anna J. Takayama’s soulful direction, and we are delighted to support the career of such a remarkable talent.”
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