Julio Torres and Tilda Swinton in Problemista, courtesy of A24
SXSW Film Festival Headliners Announced
The SXSW Film Festival has announced its first wave of films and headliners, and it’s an impressive lineup. The festival will occur from March 10-19 in Austin, Texas. A Dungeons & Dragons adaption directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein will open the festival. Among the notable titles are Evil Dead Rise, the new entry in Sam Raimi’s horror franchise, Problemista, Julio Torres’s directorial debut starring himself and Tilda Swinton; and Flamin’ Hot, Eva Longoria’s documentary on Frito-Lay’s origins. This year’s SXSW Film Festival is sure to be one of the most exciting yet, with plenty of major and rising names, leaving something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of big-budget blockbusters or independent cinema, there’s sure to be something for you at this year’s festival.
A Dungeons & Dragons adaption directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein will open the festival. Among the notable titles are Evil Dead Rise, the new entry in Sam Raimi’s horror franchise, Problemista, Julio Torres’s directorial debut starring himself and Tilda Swinton; and Flamin’ Hot, Eva Longoria’s documentary on Frito-Lay’s origins.
“We are thrilled to announce the first wave of our incredible lineup for SXSW 2023,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP of Film & TV, in a press release. “It’s an amazing collection of films, TV series and XR experiences that promise to inspire, entertain and challenge our audiences. We’re also proud to open with Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, a raucous and engaging fantasy adventure, and look forward to welcoming everyone to Austin in March for what promises to be an unforgettable event.“
Listed below are the initial films announced for SXSW 2023, which include television, shorts, music videos, XR Experiences, Documentary, and narrative filmmaking. More titles will be announced in early February
SXSW Film Headliners
Headliners bring star power to SXSW Film festival, with red carpet premieres and gala film events featuring major and emerging filmmakers.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Directors: Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Producers: Jeremy Latcham, Brian Goldner, Nick Meyer, Screenwriters: Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Michael Gilio
As a charming thief and a group of unlikely adventurers attempt to retrieve a lost relic, they run afoul of the wrong people during an epic heist. (Opening Night World Premiere) Starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Hugh Grant, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, and Daisy Head.
Evil Dead Rise
Director/Screenwriter: Lee Cronin, Producer: Rob Tapert
Two estranged sisters, Sutherland and Sullivan, face the horror of a nightmare version of family in Evil Dead Rise. A tale about a reunion that is cut short by flesh-eating demons, the two sisters are forced to face a nightmare version of their family. Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell are the executive producers. Stars include Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, and Nell Fisher. (World Premiere)
Problemista
Producers: Emma Stone, Dave McCary, Ali Herting, Director/Screenwriter: Julio Torres
As an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, Alejandro (Torres) struggled to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York. The only way he could stay in the country and accomplish his dream was to help an erratic art-world outcast (Swinton) with his work visa. In this surreal adventure, Julio Torres takes us on a journey through the equally treacherous worlds of New York City and the US Immigration system. This film is sure to be packed full of distinctive and genuine storytelling. Cast: Julio Torres, Tilda Swinton Swinton, RZA. (World Premiere)
Flamin’ Hot
The film is directed by Eva Longoria, produced by DeVon Franklin, and written by Linda Yvette Chávez and Lewis Colick.
It tells the story of a Frito Lay janitor who used his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to create Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. This snack disrupted the food industry and became a global success. Cast List: Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Emilio Rivera, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh, Pepe Serna, Bobby Soto, Jimmy Gonzales, Brice Gonzalez (World Premiere)
NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION
There are eight world premieres and eight unique ways to celebrate storytelling.
I Used To Be Funny (Canada)
Producers: James Weyman, Jason Aita, and Breann Smordin, Director/Screenwriter: Ally Pankiw
PTSD-affected stand-up comedian Sam contemplates joining the search for Brooke, a teenage girl she used to nanny. Rachel Sennott, Olga Petsa, Jason Jones, Sabrina Jalees, Caleb Hearon, Ennis Esmer, Dani Kind (World Premiere)
Late Bloomers
Screenwriter: Anna Greenfield, Producers: Alexandra Barreto, Taylor Feltner, Sam Bisbee, Director: Lisa Steen
An aimless 28-year-old Brooklynite lands in the hospital after drunkenly breaking her hip being stupid. As a result of an encounter with a cranky elderly Polish woman, they are forced to care for her. Although neither likes it, it’s time to grow up. Cast: Karen Gillan, Margaret Sophie Stein, Jermaine Fowler, Kevin Nealon, Talia Balsam (World Premiere)
Mustache
Producers: Christina Won, Jessica Sittig, Christopher Storer, Tyson Bidner, Imran J. Khan, Director/Screenwriter: Imran J. Khan
When Ilyas is 13 years old, he is forced out of his private Islamic school and to attend public school with non-Muslim students while suffering from his inescapable mustache. Atharva Verma, Rizwan Manji, Alicia Silverstone, Hasan Minhaj, Meesha Shafi, Ayana Manji (World Premiere)
Parachute
Producers: Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, Brittany Snow, Lizzie Shapiro, Screenwriters: Brittany Snow and Becca Gleason Director: Brittany Snow
Riley is determined to recover from her addiction to food and body image when she falls for an addiction, Ethan. Courtney Eaton, Thomas Mann, Francesca Reale, Gina Rodriguez, Joel McHale, Scott Mescudi, Dave Bautista, Jennifer Westfeldt, Kathryn Gallagher, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle (World Premiere)
Pure O
Producers: Ricky Fosheim, Dillon Tucker, Ray Lee, Director/Screenwriter: Dillon Tucker
A young screenwriter/musician grapples with Pure O, a lesser-known form of OCD while juggling his recent engagement and day job at a high-end Malibu drug rehab. Filmed based on a true story by the filmmaker. Cast: Daniel Dorr, Hope Lauren, Landry Bender, Jeff Baker, Candice Renee, Breon Gorman, Tim Landfield, Isaac Nippert, Devon Martinez, Clint James (World Premiere)
Raging Grace (UK)
Producer: Chi Thai, Director/Screenwriter: Paris Zarcilla
Joy, a Filipino immigrant, and her daughter Grace encounter a darkness threatening all they have worked for. Cast: Maxine Eigenman, Leanne Best, David Hayman (World Premiere)
Scrambled
Producers: Gillian Bohrer, Jonathan Levine, Brett Haley, Amanda Mortimer, Director/Screenwriter: Leah McKendrick
When a broke, single millennial freezes her eggs, she unleashes an existential shitstorm. The cast includes Leah McKendrick, Ego Nwodim, Andrew Santino, Clancy Brown, Laura Ceron, Yvonne Strahovski, June Diane Raphael, Adam Rodriguez, Brett Dier, and Sterling Sulieman. (World Premiere)
Story Ave
Screenwriters: Bonsu Thompson, Aristotle Torres, Producers: Lizzie Shapiro, Datari Turner, Jamie Foxx, Aristotle Torres, Director: Aristotle Torres
Teen graffiti artist holds up unsuspecting MTA workers in a robbery gone wrong that changes their lives forever. Cast: Asante Blackk, Luis Guzmán, Alex Hibbert, Melvin Gregg, Coral Peña, Cassandra Freeman, Hassan Johnson (World Premiere)
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION
Eight non-fiction stories that demonstrate integrity, energy, and unique voices.
Angel Applicant
Producers: Ken A. Meyer, Jason Roark, Director/Screenwriter: Ken August Meyer
A sick man discovers empathetic wisdom in the colorful, expressive works of the late Swiss-German modern artist Paul Klee.
Another Body (UK, US.)
Directors: Sophie Compton and Reuben Hamlyn, Producers: Elizabeth Woodward, Sophie Compton, and Reuben Hamlyn, Screenwriters: Sophie Compton and Reuben Hamlyn, Isabel Freeman
A college student discovers deepfakes of herself circulating online in Another Body.
Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a Life
Screenwriters: Erik Auli, Dan Covert, Amy Dempsey, Tara Rose Stromberg, Producer: Dan Covert
The iconic work of artist Geoff McFetridge is everywhere. This film explores the choices we confront when trying to lead meaningful lives and how we spend our most precious resource: time.
Join or Die
Rebecca Davis and Pete Davis are the directors/producers/screenwriters
This film tells the story of America’s civic unraveling through the work of Robert Putnam, whose Bowling Alone findings illuminate a path out of our democracy’s crisis.
Pay Or Die
Directors: Rachael Dyer and Scott Ruderman, Producers: Rachael Dyer, Scott Ruderman, Yael Melamede
A ransom note threatens the lives of three American families. Their journeys reveal the harsh reality of life with a disease in the wealthiest country in the world.
Queendom (France, U.S.)
Producers: Igor Myakotin and Agniia Galdanova, Directed by Agniia Galdanova
As a queer artist from a small Russian town, Gena dresses in otherworldly costumes and protests the government on the streets of Moscow. She stages radical performances in public, which become a new form of activism and art.
Riders on the Storm (Austria)
Directors/Producers: Jason Motlagh, Mark Oltmanns
As the Taliban take control of Afghanistan and threaten his life, the young horseman battles to make his name and keep a family tradition alive in the ancient sport of buzkashi.
You Were My First Boyfriend
Produced by Ines Hofmann Kanna, directed by Cecilia Aldarondo
A high school reunion film turned inside out, filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo relives her tortured adolescence, wondering if she remembered it all wrong.
NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT
Premieres of a high-profile narrative feature at the SXSW Film festival, including a world premiere, international premiere, and North American premieres.
Bloody Hell (Canada)
Producers: Jennifer Weiss, Liane Cunje, Director: Molly McGlynn
A teenage girl gets diagnosed with a reproductive condition that upends her plans to have sex and propels her into exploring unusual methods to have a sex life, challenging her relationships with everyone in her life and, most importantly, with herself. Maddie Ziegler, Emily Hampshire, Djouliet Amara, Ki Griffin, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai
Deadland
Produced by Elizabeth Avellan, Bob Bastarache, Jas Shelton, Lance Larson, Tara Pirnia, Chris Wilks, Screenwriters: Lance Larson, Jas Shelton
The ghost of a US Border Patrol agent haunts a Border Patrol agent who attempts to capture him. Cast: Roberto Urbina, McCaul Lombardi, Julieth Restrepo, Kendall Rae, Luis Chavez, Julio Cesar Cedillo, Manuel Uriza, Chris Mulkey.
Down Low
Producers: Ashley Fox, Lucas Wiesendanger, Ross Katz, Screenwriters: Phoebe Fisher, Lukas Gage, Director: Rightor Doyle
This outrageous comedy tells the story of one wild night, a deeply repressed man, a twink who gives him a happy ending, and all the lives they ruin. Zachary Quinto, Lukas Gage, Simon Rex, Sebastian Arroyo, Christopher Reed Brown, Audra McDonald, Judith Light
Frybread Face and Me
Producer: Chad Burris, Director/Screenwriter: Billy Luther
It is against his will that an 11-year-old boy from the city is sent to his grandmother’s ranch on the Navajo reservation to learn about family, tradition, and what it means to be a man from an unexpected guest. Kier Tallman, Charly Hogan, Martin Seinsmeir, Kahara Hodges, Ryan Begay, Sarah Natani
If You Were the Last
Director: Kristian Mercado, Producers: Andrew Miano, Dan Balgoyen, Britta Rowings, Dennis Masel, Gabrielle Nadig, Jessamine Burgum, Kara Durrett, Jon Levin, Sean Woods, Screenwriter: Angela Bourassa
With no hope of rescue, two astronauts argue over whether they should spend their remaining days together or as friends. Cast: Anthony Mackie, Zoë Chao, Natalie Morales, Geoff Stults
Self Reliance
Producers: Jake Johnson, Ali Bell, Joe Hardesty, Director/Screenwriter: Jake Johnson
As a result of participating in a life-or-death reality show, one man discovers he has a lot to live for. Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Andy Samberg, Natalie Morales, Christopher Lloyd, Wayne Brady, GaTa, Emily Hampshire, Mary Holland, Boban Marjanović
Upon Entry (Spain)
Directors/Screenwriters: Alejandro Rojas, Juan Sebastián Vásquez, Producers: Carles Torras, Carlos Juárez, Xosé Zapata, Sergio Adrià, Alba Sotorra
Diego and Elena are unexpectedly held at Newark airport after arriving with their approved residency visas by border agents who wish to find out if they have anything to hide. Alberto Ammann, Bruna Cusí, Ben Temple, Laura Gómez (North American Premiere)
DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT
Presenting new documentary features receiving their World, International, North American, or US premieres at SXSW Film festival.
A Disturbance in the Force
Directors: Jeremy Coon, Steve Kozak, Producers: Jeremy Coon, Steve Kozak, Kyle Newman
Discover how the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special came to be and why 45 years later, it has become the ultimate cult classic among Star Wars fans, much to George Lucas’ chagrin.
The Arc of Oblivion
Director: Ian Cheney, Producers: Meredith Desalazar, Manette Pottle, Rebecca Taylor
The Arc of Oblivion illuminates the strange world of archives, record-keeping, and memory through a filmmaker’s quixotic quest to build an ark in Maine.
Being Mary Tyler Moore
Director: James Adolphus, Producers: Lena Waithe, Debra Martin Chase, Ben Selkow, Rishi Rajani, Andrew C. Coles, Laura Gardner
As an actor, performer, and advocate, Mary Tyler Moore revolutionized the portrayal of women in media, redefined their roles in show business, and inspired generations to dream big and achieve success.
Confessions of a Good Samaritan
Director: Penny Lane, Producer: Gabriel Sedgwick
Penny Lane’s decision to be a “Good Samaritan” by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger turns into a funny and moving journey to understand altruism.
Great Photo, Lovely Life
Directors: Amanda Mustard, Rachel Beth Anderson, Producers: Amanda Mustard, Rachel Beth Anderson, Luke Malone, Screenwriters: Amanda Mustard, Rachel Beth Anderson, Tyler H. Walk, Josef Beeby
In this unflinching portrait of intergenerational trauma, family secrets, and redemption, a photojournalist documents the decades of abuse her family and community have experienced at the hands of her grandfather.
The Herricanes
Producers: James Lee Hernandez, Brian Lazarte, Lisa France, James Short, Olivia Kuan, Justin Baldoni, Andrew Calof, Olivia Kuan
The Houston Herricanes was a women’s full-tackle football team from the 1970s whose fight to play the game continues to resonate today.
The Lady Bird Diaries
Producers: Kim Reynolds and Dawn Porter, Director: Dawn Porter
The Lady Bird Diaries is a groundbreaking documentary film that uses Lady Bird’s audio diaries to tell the story of one of history’s most influential and least understood First Ladies.
Last Stop Larrimah
Producers: Sean Bradley and Rebecca Saunders, Director: Thomas Tancred
Located deep in the Australian Outback are the town of Larrimah and its 11 eccentric residents. When one mysteriously vanishes, the remaining residents become suspects, revealing a long history of infighting.
The New Americans: Gaming a Revolution
Producers: David Turner, Ondi Timoner, Director/Screenwriter: Ondi Timoner
This visceral, meme-driven journey reveals the connection between the Gamestop squeeze and the Jan 6th Insurrection and shows explosive possibilities for our digital future.
Periodical
Director: Lina Lyte Plioplyte, Producer: Pegah Farrahmand
An eye-opening documentary that examines menstruation’s science, politics, and mystery through the experiences of doctors, athletes, movie stars, journalists, activists, and everyday people.
Who I Am Not (Romania)
Tünde Skovrán directed and wrote the screenplay, and Andrei Zinca produced
Born male and female within one body, a beauty queen and a male-presenting activist break the intersex taboo through a personal and intimate exploration of truth, faith, and belonging.
SXSW MIDNIGHTERS
Eight provocative after-dark feature Midnighters for night owls and terminally curious – scary, funny, sexy, controversial.
Aberrance (Mongolia)
Director: Baatar Batsukh, Producers: Trevor Doye, Alexa Khan, Angarag Meguun, Screenwriters: Baatar Batsukh, Byambasuren Ganbat
An estranged couple takes a retreat in the woods. Foreboding neighbors, frivolous friends, and dark unseen forces lead to a shocking conclusion. Cast List: Erkhembayar Ganbat, Selenge Chadraabal, Yalalt Namsrai, Oyundary Jamsranjav, Sukhee Ariunbyamba, Bayarsanaa Batchuluun, Badamtsetseg Batmunkh (North American Premiere)
Brooklyn 45
Director/Screenwriter: Ted Geoghegan, Producers: Seth Caplan, Michael Paszt, Pasha Patriki, Sarah Sharp
Five old military friends are talked into an impromptu séance that brings to light their haunted pasts. Starring: Anne Ramsay, Ron E. Rains, Jeremy Holm, Larry Fessenden, Ezra Buzzington, Kristina Klebe.
It Lives Inside
Director: Bishal Dutta, Producers: Raymond Mansfield, Sean McKittrick, Screenwriters: Bishal Dutta, Ashish Mehta
In the process of falling out with her former best friend, an Indian-American teen struggles with her cultural identity and unwittingly releases a demonic entity, which grows more vital due to her loneliness. Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan, Betty Gabriel, Vik Sahay
Late Night With the Devil (Australia, United Arab Emirates)
Screenwriters: Colin Cairnes and Cameron Cairnes, Producers: Derek Dauchy, Steven Schneider, Roy Lee, Adam White, and Mat Govoni
As a live broadcast of a popular late-night talk show goes horribly wrong, demonic possession is unleashed into the nation’s living rooms. Cast: David Dastmalchian
Monolith (Australia)
Director: Matt Vesely, Producer: Bettina Hamilton, Screenwriter: Lucy Campbell
Trying to rebuild her career, a disgraced journalist turns to podcasting to generate headlines – but in the process, she discovers a strange artifact, an alien conspiracy, and the lies at the heart of her own story. Featuring Lily Sullivan (International Premiere)
Talk To Me (Australia)
Screenwriters: Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman, Directors: Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou, Producers: Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton.
As a lonely teenager, Mia is hooked on the thrill of summoning spirits with a ceramic hand. Still, when she encounters a soul who claims to be her dead mother, she unleashes a plague of supernatural forces. The cast includes Sophie Wilde, Miranda Otto, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Zoe Terakes, and Chris Alosio.
The Wrath of Becky
Directors/Screenwriters: Matthew Angel, Suzanne Coote, Producers: Raphael Margules, JD Lifshitz, Tracy Rosenblum, Russell Posternak, Chadd Harbold
After living off the grid for two years, Becky finds herself facing Darryl, the leader of a fascist organization, on the eve of an organized attack. Lulu Wilson, Seann William Scott, Matt Angel, Courtney Gains, Aaron Della Villa, Michael Sirow, Denise Burse-Fernandez, Jill Larson, Kate Siegel
TV PREMIERES
Presenting world premiere of prestige serials slated for release.
I’m A Virgo
Producers: Boots Riley, Michael Ellenberg, Lindsey Springer, Tze Chun, Jharrel Jerome, Showrunner/Director/Screenwriter: Boots Riley
I’m A Virgo is a fantastical coming-of-age drama about a young Black man who lives in Oakland, CA. It stars Jharrel Jerome, Brett Gray, Kara Young, Allius Barnes, Olivia Washington, Walton Goggins, Mike Epps, and Carmen Ejogo.
Mrs. Davis
Showrunner: Tara Hernandez, Directors: Owen Harris, Alethea Jones, Screenwriters/Producers: Tara Hernandez, Damon Lindelof
Simone is the nun dedicated to destroying Mrs. Davis, the world’s most powerful artificial intelligence. Who ya got? Betty Gilpin, Jake McDorman, Andy McQueen (World Premiere)
Slip
Producer: Karen Harnisch, Showrunner/Director/Screenwriter: Zoe Lister-Jones
She begins a fantastical journey of parallel universes as she seeks to find her way back to her partner and, ultimately, herself while restless inside a marriage that totally works. Cast: Zoe Lister-Jones, Tymika Tafari, Whitmer Thomas, Amar Chadha-Patel, Emily Hampshire
TV SPOTLIGHT
New seasons of prestige series are presented at world premieres.
Blindspotting Season 2 Premiere
Showrunner/Director: Rafael Casal, Producers: Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs, Jess Wu Calder, Keith Calder, Emily Gerson Saines, Ken Lee, Tim Palen
Ashley was working towards a middle-class life in Oakland when Miles, her partner and father of their son, was suddenly sent to prison; now, she is living with his mother and sister and struggling to bring some order to an otherwise chaotic situation while still being a fun mom for her son – with varying degrees of success—featuring Jasmine Cephas Jones, Helen Hunt, Benjamin Earl Turner, Atticus Woodward, Jaylen Barron, Candace Nicholas-Lippman, Rafael Casal, Margo Hall, April Absynth, and Lance Holloway in its World Premiere.
INDEPENDENT TV PILOT COMPETITION
A pilot showcase featuring new work by bright new talent, many searching for production funds or release platforms.
A Guide To Not Dying Completely Alone
Producer: Bekah Sturm, Showrunner/Screenwriter: Kevin Yee, Director: Yen Tan
In the wake of a near-death experience, a queer Asian writer makes a conscious effort to improve his life. Cast: Kevin Yee, Brittani Nichols, Alex MacNicoll, Betsy Struxness, Paul Wong
Chuchi & Adaliz
Showrunner: Ashley Soto Paniagua, Directors: Dani Adaliz, Lance Cameron Holloway, Screenwriters: Ashley Soto Paniagua, Dani Adaliz, Jocelli Paniagua, Producers: Jocelli Paniagua, Heidi Williamson
After losing her job for insider trading, Adaliz moves in with her childhood bestie Chuchi who teaches her how to be poor. Ashley Soto Paniagua, Dani Adaliz, Andrea Bashe, Kathryn Peters, Jocelli Paniagua, Selorm Kploanyi, Dariany Santana, Jeremy Habig, Jullian Farris
Grown
Produced by Jocko Sims, Christopher Santiago, Chaz Hazlitt, Andrew Zolot, Showrunner/Director/Screenwriter: Jocko Sims
As a 14-year-old, Rogelio sneaks into a strip club and learns some hard lessons about being a man, thanks to the help of his older sister Chelly. Josiah Gabriel, Giovanni Cristoff, Tristan-Lee Edwards, Angela Mejia-Loggia, Eliza Ramos, Kevin Rodriguez, Nixon Cesar
Harbor Island
Showrunner/Director/Screenwriter: Calvin Lee Reeder, Producers: Carlos A.F. Lopez, Megan Leonard
A dad joke comic wanders the industrial zone at night. Cast: Josh Fadem, Sidney Jayne Hunt, Matt Olsen.
Marvin? (Netherlands)
Showrunners/Screenwriters: Anton van der Linden, George Gottl, Director: Anton van der Linden, Producers: Anton van der Linden, Daan Geuke
Two young friends struggling to get ahead stumble upon a magical fridge that literally makes their dreams come true and learn that their shiny materialistic world is not what they expected. This movie stars Cameron Tharma, Sarah Rose, Sven Ironside, Jay Reaper, and Cendy Barlag.
Metal Man
Showrunner: Tomas Pais, Directors: Laurel Parmet, Tomas Pais, Screenwriters: John Patton Ford, Tomas Pais, Laurel Parmet, Producer: Kaelan Housewright
The story follows a heavy metal handyman who gets called to fix a tub but gets caught up in the drama/life of his customer. Cast: Tomas Pais, Lily Du, Andrew Walke, Da’Vone McDonald, David Massil
Notarize Me
Director: Erika Rankin, Screenwriters/Producers: Erika Rankin, Brigitte Valdez
As critical legal documents are signed, Jackie and Louise find themselves in intimate situations with wacky strangers. Cast: Brigitte Valdez, Erika Rankin, Sarah Cornell, Harley Tarlitz (Texas premiere)
SHORTS PROGRAM Presented by IMDbPro
IMDbPro, the essential resource for industry professionals, is proud to sponsor the SXSW 2023 Shorts Film Program. Featuring original and compelling films, this program illustrates the power of storytelling. IMDbPro is a membership-based service that helps industry members succeed throughout their careers; it’s part of IMDb, the world’s most trusted source of movies, TV shows, and celebrity information.
NARRATIVE SHORTS COMPETITION
This collection of short films exemplifies distinctive storytelling through the use of the short form.
Breaking Fast with a Coca-Cola
Director/Screenwriter: Amy Omar, Producers: Karine Benzaria, Jordan Hart, Amy Omar
For the first time, zlem and Ada embark on a day of fasting and a night of feasting for Ramadan after growing up in the secular households of their Turkish immigrant parents.
The Breakthrough
Director/Screenwriter: Daniel Sinclair, Producers: Kate Chamuris, Valerie Steinberg
When Jane and Teddy’s marital problems reach a sticking point, they have an unexpected breakthrough.
Closing Dynasty
Director/Screenwriter: Lloyd Lee Choi, Producers: Jon Hsu, Lloyd Lee Choi
In New York City, a 7-year-old hustles strangers for money on a school day.
Deliver Me
Director/Screenwriter: Joecar Hanna-Zhang, Producers: Noam Argov, Jorge Sistos, Joecar Hanna-Zhang
A billionaire’s long-awaited delivery threatens to upend his already tense relationship with his identical husband, who has an identity crisis of his own.
Endless Sea
Director/Screenwriter: Sam Shainberg, Producer: Rachel Walden
During a typical day, Carol discovers that her heart medication costs have doubled. Afraid but hopeful, she sets out to find a solution. Still, her journey does not bring salvation, only a desperate act of revolution. (Texas Premiere)
The Family Circus
Director/Screenwriter: Andrew Fitzgerald, Producer: Josh Cohen
A Vietnamese-American family’s attempt to cover up a drunk driving accident unravels when their emotional baggage spills out in front of the police. (Texas Premiere)
Flores del Otro Patio (Colombia, Switzerland)
Director: Jorge Cadena, Screenwriters: Jorge Cadena, Li Aparicio Candama, Producers: Yan Decoppet, Gabriela Bussmann
A group of queer activists uses extravagant performances to denounce the country’s largest coal mine’s disastrous exploitation.
Fuck Me, Richard (Australia, US.)
Directors: Lucy McKendrick, Charles Polinger, Screenwriter: Lucy McKendrick, Producers: Jenna Grossano, Lucy McKendrick, Charlie Polinger
While recovering from a broken leg, a romance-obsessed loner finds herself swept up in a passionate long-distance love affair. Richard is perfect in every way, except that he may be a scammer.
Graveyard of Horses (China)
Director/Screenwriter: Xiaoxuan Jiang, Producer: Zhulin Mo
During a cold winter on the Mongolian steppe, an untimely snowstorm leads a pregnant herder and her eight-year-old daughter to new places. (North American premiere)
I Probably Shouldn’t Be Telling You This
Director/Screenwriter: Emma Weinswig, Producers: Emma Weinswig, Will Noyce
An oversharing, compulsive-lying e-girl is caught in the web of her own lies on her (secretly) favorite podcast.
It Turns Blue (Iran)
Director/Screenwriter: Shadi Karamroudi, Producers: Shadi Karamroudi, Mehran Noori, Mina Dreki, Theodora Valentis
Pari covers up domestic violence when her brother beats up his 3-year-old daughter.
The Key (Belgium, France, Palestine, State of)
Director/Screenwriter: Rakan Mayasi, Producers: Frank Barat, Rakan Mayasi, François de Villers, Laura Jumel, Nadine Naous, Patrizia Roletti
(North American Premiere) Every evening, a mysterious sound is heard at the door of an Israeli family’s apartment.
Leonetty
Director/Screenwriter: Logan Jackson, Producer: Dante Sims
Young Leonetty is sent to live with his grandmother after he can no longer live with his mother.
Les Battues (Canada)
Director/Screenwriter: Rafaël Beauchamp, Producer: Léonie Hurtubise
In a small Quebec village, three hunters examine the tragedy of a young mother.
Never Fuggedaboutit
Director/screenwriter: Dustin Waldman, Producers: Nicholas Nazmi, Sariel Hana Friedman
In post-9/11 NYC, a struggling post-production house is hired to remove a shot of the Twin Towers from a hit TV show’s intro.
Rest Stop
Crystal Kayiza, Jalena Keane-Lee, Brit Fryer, Crystal Kayiza, screenwriter, producer
As she rides a bus from New York to Oklahoma, Meyi, a young Ugandan-American girl, realizes her place in the world.
Scotty’s Vag
Director/Screenwriter: Chaconne Martin-Berkowicz, Producers: Cailin Lobb-Rabe, Chaconne Martin-Berkowicz, Gia Rigoli, Vero Kompalic
A college freshman learns how far she will go to impress an older girl at a sorority hazing event.
Sisters of the Rotation (Lebanon)
Directors: Michel Zarazir, Gaby Zarazir, Screenwriters: The Zarazir Brothers, Producer: Madame Le Tapis
In the Sisters of the Rotation convent, the Earth doesn’t revolve by itself. (North American premiere)
Slick Talk
Film directors: Courtney Loo, David Karp, screenwriter: Courtney Loo, producer: Katie Mykrantz
During an important meeting with a potential music manager, Kiki struggles with her identity as an outsider in the Chinese-American community, a culture vulture in the hip-hop world, and a possible sellout.
Take Me Home
Director/Screenwriter: Liz Sargent, Producer: Minos Papas
To move forward after the death of their mother, an intellectually disabled woman, and her estranged sister must learn to communicate. (Texas Premiere)
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS COMPETITION
Documentary slices from a variety of genres.
Ball People
Director: Scott Lazer, Producer: Tripp Kramer, Talia Cohen
The US Open Ball Crew tryouts behind the scenes.
Birdsong (United Kingdom)
Directors: Omi Zola Gupta, Sparsh Ahuja, Producers: Sparsh Ahuja, Omi Zola Gupta, Dorn Bouttasing
(International Premiere) Birdsong is an intimate portrait of the dying whistled language of the Hmong people in northern Laos.
The Bus (Spain)
Director: Sandra Reina, Screenwriters: Sandra Reina, Fran Menchón, Producer: Valérie Delpierre
The bus takes passengers on Friday mornings towards the weekend and picks them up on Sunday afternoons to return them home.
The Dads
Director/Screenwriter: Luchina Fisher, Producers: Shan Shan Tam, Luchina Fisher
During a weekend fishing trip in rural Oklahoma, five fathers of trans kids join Dennis Shepard, the father of slain gay college student Matthew Shepard.
El Bastón (Colombia, U.S.)
Director: Nemo Allen, Producers: Nemo Allen, Aditi Natasha Kini, Hanna Wallis, Juan Blanco García
As two filmmakers, one mother and one son, document the struggles of Colombia’s Indigenous Nasa, they find strength and answers. (Texas Premiere)
Margie Soudek’s Salt and Pepper Shakers
Director: Meredith Moore, Producer: Jonna McKone
(Texas Premiere) An artist and VFX instructor connects with her aging grandmother, Margie, in a documentary short about collecting, artmaking, and obsessiveness.
Mother of the Dawn
Director: Janell Shirtcliff, Screenwriters: Angie Simms, Tommy Savas, Producer: Tommy Savas
During the early 1950s, in a remote corner of Brazil, a female truck driver named Tia Neiva began seeing extraterrestrial spirits; shortly after that, she gained a following known as Vale do Amanhecer (Valley of the Dawn).
Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó (Grandma & Grandma)
Sean Wang, Sam Davis, Sean Wang, producers
The father of my child, Wài Pó, is also my grandfather. Meet my grandmas.
Puffling (United Kingdom)
Director: Jessica Bishopp, Producers: Alice Hughes, Gannesh Rajah, Ada Benjamínsdóttir
A coming-of-age story for young adults and puffins alike, Birta and Selma take it upon themselves to fight society’s harmful impact on nature on a remote Icelandic island.
Roger J. Carter: Rebel Revolutionary
Director: Justin Fairweather, Producers: Zachary Kingham-Seagle, Johnny Starke
In Roger J. Carter: Rebel Revolutionary, the Chicago portrait artist depicts black revolutionaries using hundreds of toy soldiers, representing the wars they face as they fight an established system.
Suddenly TV (Qatar)
Director/Producer: Roopa Gogineni
The film is about a group of young Sudanese who create an imaginary television station at a besieged sit-in. They interview protestors from all over the country, confronting the regime’s violence and conjuring a new Sudan.
A place where the sun always shines (United Kingdom)
Rosie Baldwin directed, and Lucy Draper produced
Research suggests that a British seaside town could disappear within its lifetime due to climate change.
ANIMATED SHORTS COMPETITION
A mix of traditional animation, computer-generated effects, stop-motion, and everything in between.
The Tiny Man (France)
Directors: Aude David, Mikaël Gaudin, Screenwriters: Mikaël Gaudin, Aude David, Producer: Jérôme Blesson
A Tiny Man tells a tale of nefarious schemes gone awry as a husband faces the consequences of his actions, perhaps beginning to realize that size does indeed matter.
Ashkasha (Argentina, Spain)
Director/Screenwriter/Producer: Lara Maltz
Ashkasha is a living being driven by curiosity, which causes her to lose her head and get trapped in the depths.
Beyond The Fringe (Spain)
Directors: Han Tang, Costanza Baj, Screenwriter/Producer: Han Tang
It’s about a little paper figure’s journey of finding the courage to leave its home, the notebook where it was born, to explore the incredible world beyond.
Christopher at Sea (France, United Kingdom, US.)
Director: Tom CJ Brown, Screenwriters: Tom CJ Brown, Laure Desmazières, Producers: Emmanuel-Alain Raynal, Pierre Baussaron, Amanda Miller, Hanna Stolarski, Nick Read, Emily-Jane Brown
Christopher goes to sea. (Texas Premiere)
The Debutante (UK)
Director/Screenwriter: Elizabeth Hobbs, Producer: Abigail Addison
(Texas Premiere) A spirited young woman persuades a hyena from London Zoo to join her at a dinner dance.
Director/Screenwriter: João Gonzalez, Producers: Bruno Caetano, Michaël Proença
A father and son jump with a parachute from their vertiginous cold house on a cliff daily to sell the ice they produce daily in the village below.
The hind legs should be removed before consumption (Switzerland)
The directors Lukas Wind, Finn Meisner, Leslie Herzig, and Gerd Gockell produced the film.
One cricket survives a certain death in an insect food farm. (International Premiere)
Cat Sandwich (Spain)
Director/Screenwriter: David Fidalgo, Producers: Daniel Rodriguez, Laura Doval
An unexpected visit will lead David to a crucial reflection on humanity. (International Premiere)
Spring Roll Dream (UK)
Director: Mai Vu, Screenwriter: Chloe White, Producer: Thijme Grol
Linh is a single Vietnamese mother who has successfully established a life for herself and her son in the United States. However, she is confronted with the past and culture she left behind and the question of where it fits into her new life.
Sprout
Director/Screenwriter/Producer: Zora Kovac
An agoraphobic scientist’s reclusive life may be upended when he accidentally creates a baby-like plant creature.
MIDNIGHT SHORTS COMPETITION
Sex, gore, and hilarity in bite-sized pieces.
Dead Enders
Directors: Fidel Ruiz-Healy, Tyler Walker, Screenwriters: Fidel Ruiz-Healy, Tyler Walker, Jordan Michael Blake, Conor Murphy, Producers: Raven Jenson, Amanda Crown, Gregory Barnes, Conor Murphy, Nico Alvo, Jordan Michael Blake, Eduardo Ruiz-Healy
When oil drillers set loose an ancient race of mind-controlling parasites, a disgruntled gas station clerk discovers why it’s called the “graveyard shift.”.
Every House is Haunted
Director/Screenwriter: Bryce McGuire, Producer: Isaiah Smallman
A struggling couple moves into a haunted house on purpose.
The Flute (Ireland, U.S.)
Director: Nick Roney, Screenwriters: Nick Roney, Ed Leer, Producers: Brendan Garrett, Ryland Burns
A young man flees a long-term relationship to seek refuge with his best friends. After discovering their strange instruments, he learns the bachelor lifestyle is not as sweet as it sounds.
Kodama
Director/Screenwriter: Brian M Tang, Producers: Penny Lin, Brendan Bennett, Norrie Palmer, Brian M Tang
A SWAT Samurai team member embarks on a rescue mission into the spirit world to rescue his father from vengeful Japanese Yokai spirits.
The Mundanes
Directors/Screenwriters: Nicole Daddona, Adam Wilder, Producers: Eric Hendricks, Nicole Daddona, Adam Wilder
Meet the Mundanes, a faceless suburban family with an unusual appetite.
Pennies from Heaven
Director: Sandy Honig, Screenwriters: Sandy Honig, Annabel Meschke, Sabina Meschke, Producer: Jake Honig
Pennies from Heaven is a short comedy about two eccentric twin sisters who stumble upon a pickup truck filled with pennies and follow the adventure wherever it takes them.
Pussy Love (Germany)
Director/Screenwriter/Producer: Linda Krauss
Hey Puss! Still, playing hard to get? Let me be your pussycat.
Run
Producers: Vincent Landay, Alex Prager, Lisa Lou Ziven, Director/Screenwriter: Alex Prager
The absurdity of modern life is celebrated in Run.
Director: Kara Strait, Screenwriters: Morgane Ciot, Zoe Mintz, Producers: Morgane Ciot, Zoe Mintz
Vibrating compulsively has dreadful consequences for a young woman.
Director/Screenwriter: Chris McInroy, Producers: Kris Phipps, Jarrod Yerkes, Stacey Bell
(Texas Premiere) Two dudes think they’ve found a cure for zombie bites.
You’re Not Home (Ireland)
Director/Screenwriter: Derek Ugochukwu, Producer: Gregory Burrowes
Two African brothers seeking asylum are faced with a dark entity lurking in their direct provision center when an ominous mold appears in their room. (Texas Premiere)
TEXAS SHORTS COMPETITION
Shorts shot in, about, or related to the Lone Star State are part of our regular shorts program.
Breaking Silence
Directors: Amy Bench, Annie Silverstein, Producers: Monique Walton, Amy Bench
A portrait of a Deaf activist and his formerly incarcerated daughter who form new bonds in the criminal justice system. (Texas Premiere)
Call Me Mommy
Directors: Haley Alea Erickson, Taylor Washington, Screenwriter: Haley Alea Erickson, Producers: Brittany Reeber, David Tenczar
A pedantic expectant mother hires a stranger to play her unborn child.
Dressed
Director/Screenwriter: Bethiael Alemayoh, Producer: Noam Argov
In this world premiere, a former bride-to-be attempts to sell her wedding dress.
Exit 238
Director/Producer: Henry Davis
During the fall season in Austin, TX, Purple Martin’s spectacular roosting display attracts people from all walks of life to Capital Plaza. (Texas Premiere)
Eyestring (Argentina, US.)
Producer: Alena Chinault, Writers: Javier Devitt, Alena Chinault, Director: Javier Devitt
Veronica’s quest for answers is complicated by a mysterious string growing from her eye and questionable advice from a hotline service.
Funny Face
Director: Jude Hope Harris, Screenwriters: Krista Fatka, Jude Hope Harris, Producers: Genevieve Jones, Nick Vitale
As country singer Randy travels to care for his sister Sophie, he meets her girlfriend Morgan for the first time. The three bond over family history, love, and an extremely chaotic home nurse.
La Cosecha
Director: Samuel Díaz Fernández, Screenwriters: Ái Vuong, Samuel Díaz Fernández, Producer: Ái Vuong
As a resident of Austin who lacks access to fresh food, Nolvia Castillo distributes vegetables to her neighbors. Filmmaker Ai Vuong rides along as they talk about their memories of food.
When You Left Me On That Boulevard
Director/Screenwriter: Kayla Abuda Galang, Producers: Alifya Ali, Kayla Abuda Galang, David Oconer, Udoy Rahim, Samantha Skinner
Teenage Ly and her cousins get high during a boisterous family Thanksgiving at their auntie’s house in southeast San Diego in 2006.
Wüm
Director/Screenwriter: Anna Margaret Hollyman, Producers: David Hartstein, Seana Flanagan, Shelby Hadden
In this world premiere, Bennett, a nonbinary new parent, joins the Mommy Group Wüm. What should have been a supportive space turns into a Hipster-Stepford-Wife nightmare.
MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION
A collection of classic, innovative, and stylish music videos.
Alt-J – “The Actor” (UK) / Director: Saskia Dixie
Amanda Sum – “Different Than Before” (Canada) / Director/Screenwriter: Mayumi Yoshida
Arlo McKinley – “Stealing Dark from the Night Sky” / Director: Matt Reynolds
Ben Abraham – “If I Didn’t Love You” / Director: Jillian Bell
Diplo feat Miguel – “Don’t Forget My Love” / Director: Kinopravda, Screenwriters: Viktor Horvath, Zoltan Aprily
“Crazy” by Doechii / Director: C Prinz
“Her” by Drew Ashby / Directors: Chris Scholar, Bevin Brown
‘I Died’ by Kuba Kawalec (Poland) / Director/Screenwriter: Zuzanna Plisz
“Point and Kill” by Little Simz (United Kingdom) / Directed by Ebeneza Blanche
“Colors and Shapes” by Mac Miller / directed by Sam Mason
“Beautiful Life” by Michael Kiwanuka / Director: Phillip Youmans
“Truffles” (United Kingdom, US) / Director: Andre Muir
“Coming for You Remix” by Mothermary / Directors/Screenwriters: Larena Danielle Winn, Elyse Winn
Director/screenwriter: Kate Hollowell / Number One Popstar – “Dance Away the Pain.”
Director: Kimberly Stuckwisch, Screenwriters: Pearl Derringer, Kimberly Stuckwisch – “Little Baby (feat. Margo Price).”
“Screaming on the Fly” (India) / Director/Screenwriter: Pranav Bhasin
“This is Not America ft. Ibeyi” by Residente / Directed by Gregory Ohrel
“Never Give Up” (France) / Director: Jack Antoine Charlot
“Wolf” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs / Directed by Allie Avital
XR EXPERIENCE
The immersive arts are redefining how we experience the world around us. XR Experience Competition, XR Experience Spotlight, and XR Experience, Special Events sections highlight storytelling and ingenuity and showcase how artists use this new medium in new ways.
XR Experience Competition
Immersive world premiere of XR.
Aespa VR Concert at Kwangya (Republic of Korea, U.S.)
Producer: Junyoung Park, Director: Soo-man Lee
“Aespa’s first concert at Kwangya, the artists’ virtual existence coexisting with the future.” – SM Culture Universe.
Body of Mine VR
Cameron Kostopoulos is the director, producer, and screenwriter
Body of Mine VR is an intimate experience that takes you inside the body of another gender.
Consensus Gentium (UK)
Producers: Tom Millen, Thalia Mavros, Jackson Lapsley Scott, Tuyet Huynh. Director/screenwriter: Karen Palmer.
Consensus Gentium is an emotionally responsive film app designed for mobile devices in the future of surveillance and biased AI.
The District VR (Germany)
The film was directed by Dennis Lisk, Ioulia Isserlis, and Max Sacker and produced by Dennis Lisk, Fabian Vogelsteller, and Ioulia Isserlis.
Put on a VR headset and dive into a virtual twin of Berlin, mix music lives in front of a virtual crowd, and be a DJ!
El Beat (Colombia)
Director: Irene Lema, Producer: Rafael Ospino, Screenwriter: Irene Lema
An interactive film and VR experience that tells the story of Benkos Biohó, an enslaved African and founder of the first free town in the Americas.
Find WiiLii – Ep.1 The Gate-Crasher (Republic of Korea)
The directors are Mina Hyeon and Sooyoung Choe, the producer is Sohee Kim, and the screenwriters are Sooyoung Choe and Mina Hyeon.
A new employee at the Teleportation Service Company IIOIIG encounters a stranger on her first day.
Forager: Immersive Multi-sensory Experience (Canada, U.S.)
Director: Winslow Porter, Producer: Casta Zhu, Screenwriter: Winslow Porter, Elie Zananiri, Adam Lerman, Daniel Perlin
As a spore floating to the forest floor, you become integral to this essential, life-giving process in this immersive, multi-sensory experience.
Fresh Memories: The Look (Czechia, Ukraine)
Directors/Screenwriters: Ondřej Moravec, Volodymyr Kolbasa, Producers: Ondřej Moravec, Robin Pultera
See the world through the eyes of Ukrainians whose homes have been destroyed by war.
The Invited (United Kingdom)
Producers: Davy McGuire, Nesta Nelson, Dan Tucker, Screenwriters: Ben Steiger-Levine, Richard Hurford.
The Invited reimagines Dracula’s story through a solitary séance in which a handcrafted fine art pop-up book comes to life with vivid augmented reality animations to bring Dracula’s curse back into the modern world.
Jailbirds- The Eye of the Artist (Belgium, France)
Produced by Griselda Gonzalez Gentile and Francois Klein, directed by Thomas Villepoux
In a modern hell prison ruled by a vicious Chief Warden, one guy, Felix, is always happy. It enrages the Chief Warden, who will do everything he can to uncover Felix’s secret.
JFK Memento (France, U.S.)
Producer: Victor Agulhon, Director: Chloé Rochereuil
It explores the defining moments of the investigation as archive photos and films remastered in 3D come to life in the historical sites of JFK’s assassination.
Once a Glacier
Jiabao Li is the director and screenwriter.
A virtual reality film about a girl and her relationship with a glacier: as the girl grows older, the glacier is threatened. The viewer is taken on a journey through her seemingly futile attempts to save the glacier.
Rockets, by Pillow (Brazil)
Lucas Rizzotto is the director, producer, and screenwriter
The world premiere of the first VR narrative designed for lying in bed. Control a brave little rocket named Crimson through several mind-bending puzzles to save the Universe from a terrible evil you unleashed.
Stay Alive, My Son (Chapters 1 & 2) (Greece, US.)
Victoria Bousis is the director, producer, and screenwriter
The world premiere of Stay Alive, My Son takes players on a fantastical, interactive, and powerful journey through Pin Yathay’s mind and heart as he relives a tragic past and loses his son during the Cambodian genocide.
Whipped Cream “The Dark” (Canada)
Producer: Brenda Medina Carmona, Director: Caroline Cecil (aka Whipped Cream), Screenwriter: Caroline Cecil
This VR experience, featuring Monstercat artists Whipped Cream, Jasiah, and Crimson Child blends EDM and opera music with photorealistic holographic performances in an emotional story about a toxic relationship.
XR Experience Spotlight
We are highlighting acclaimed immersive projects.
Behind The Dish (France, U.S.)
Chloé Rochereuil is the director, and Victor Agulhon and Jonathan Gleit are the producers.
With three 10-minute episodes in 360° film, meet extraordinary women chefs revolutionizing the food industry and experience their cuisine in super-sized macro 3D.
Eggscape (Argentina)
Screenwriters: German Heller, Federico Heller, Jorge Tereso, Producers: German Heller, Lucila Trobbiani
An immersive MR experience about terrified little eggs fighting for their lives in a world filled with enemies. Play with the physical world in a new way, and create your adventure with friends.
The Eye and I Vol. I (Taiwan)
A film directed by Hsin-Chien Huang, produced by Hsiao-Yue Tsao, and written by Hsin-Chien Huang.
With music from legendary electronic musician Jean-Michel Jarre and visuals from award-winning VR director Hsin-Chien Huang, “The Eye and I” illuminates the surveillance crisis.
Figural Bodies (United Kingdom)
Clarice Hilton, Neal Coghlan, Susanna Dye, and Kat Hawkins are the directors, and Susanna Dye and Kat Hawkins are the producers.
Dance mocap performance Figural Bodies explores fantastical interaction and embodiment beyond the humanoid avatar form, challenging and reimagining normative and ableist ways of understanding and representing the body.
In Pursuit Of Repetitive Beats (United Kingdom)
Producers: Ashley Cowan, Dan Tucker, Director: Darren Emerson
Embark on a virtual reality adventure that transports you into the early days of the Acid House movement and shares in an experience that shaped a generation. (North American Premiere)
Lou (Canada)
Directors: Martine Asselin, Annick Daigneault, Producers: John Hamilton, Sebastien Gros, Screenwriters: Annick Daigneault, Martine Asselin, Louis-François Archambault-Therrien
Discover the world through the eyes of a person with autism (US Premiere)
Mrs. Benz (United Kingdom)
Siobhan McDonnell is the producer, Eloise Singer is the director, and Jedidjah Noomen is the screenwriter.
Discover how Bertha Benz’s journey changed the course of history in 1886. (North American Premiere)
Shib the Metaverse
The directors are Marcie Jastrow and Sherri Cuono, and the producer is Brandie Konopasek.
The Metaverse is a virtual representation of our history as a community, showcasing our innovation and unity with beautiful visuals.
Spring Odyssey (France)
The film is directed by Elise Morin, produced by Lucid Realities, and written by Sabrina Calvo.
Sculptures made from tangible material materials await the digital in the exhibition space. The display aims to reverse our understanding of reality and the digital by completing the gap between them. (International Premiere)
Temporal World: A Haptisonic Virtual Reality Memory World (Germany)
Director/Producer: Chloé Lee
Visitors explore and shape a landscape as fragmented and inconsistent as memory itself while wearing a custom haptic coat in a hypersonic VR experience inspired by the artist’s memories.
UnEarthed (United Kingdom)
Screenwriters: Jamie Davies, Phil Porter, Producer: Jennifer Mortimer
UnEarthed is a spectacular interactive adventure into the natural world, inspiring people to respect, protect, and restore our planet’s biodiversity through impactful learning and entertainment. (North American Premiere)
You Destroy. We Create. (Germany)
Directors/Producers: Felix Gaedtke, Gayatri Parameswaran
Explore how Ukrainian art and culture have been targeted by the ongoing war, and meet the inspiring people who are protecting them.
Yuki MR (Brazil)
Director: Kako, Producer: Lia Pinheiro, Screenwriters: Kako, Flavio Mattos, Lia Pinheiro, Marcelo Nery
Yuki MR is an upbeat mix of bullet-hell in Mixed Reality! Take your favorite toy in your hand to defeat evil creatures in a multidimensional universe. (Texas Premiere)
Special Events at the XR Experience
Neo-Wulin: The Era of Black Ark (China)
Producers: Chenchenchen, Bingbing Wang, Guanyu, Director/Screenwriter: Guanyu
OXYZ3’s Neo-Wulin is the first virtual performance series IP in China.
