SXSW Film Festival

Austin, Texas, United States, North America

16 - 21 Mar, 2021

Academy Award ® Qualifying

Keywords

music video, short, academy award qualifying, feature, narrative, title design, XR project, episodic

Genre

Documentary, Comedy, Drama, Horror, Music Video

SXSW Film Festival logo
SXSW Film Festival

Austin, Texas, United States, North America

Is this your festival?

Is this your festival?

General Information

founded

1987

edition

33rd

Contact details

SXSW

PO Box 685289 , TX

AustinTexas, United States 78768

filmfest@sxsw.com

+1-512-467-7979

Web & social

About the festival

Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries.

South by Southwest dedicates itself to helping people achieve their creative goals.

An essential destination for global professionals, the event features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. Throughout SXSWeek®, experience unparalleled discovery, learning, and networking with creatives across interactive, film, and music industries.

Featuring provocative dramas, documentaries, comedies, genre standouts and more, the SXSW Film Festival has become known for the high caliber and diversity of films presented, and for its smart, enthusiastic audiences.

SXSW provides the game-changing buzz every filmmaker dreams about for the premiere of their feature film, short, episodic, or XR project.

SXSW is launching SXSW Online as part of our 2021 offerings. The digital experience will feature conference keynotes and sessions, screenings, showcases, networking, and exhibitions. The dates for SXSW Online will take place March 16 – March 20, 2021.

SXSW is working with the City of Austin and public health authorities on plans for a physical event in 2021. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Mission

The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery.

SXSW provides the game-changing buzz every filmmaker dreams about for the premiere of their feature film, short, episodic or XR project.

The SXSW Film Festival is the only place in the world bringing together creative people from so many different industries, making the SXSW Film Festival an unparalleled experience at the forefront of discovery, creativity, and innovation.

About

Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries.

South by Southwest dedicates itself to helping people achieve their creative goals.

An essential destination for global professionals, the event features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. Throughout SXSWeek®, experience unparalleled discovery, learning, and networking with creatives across interactive, film, and music industries.

Featuring provocative dramas, documentaries, comedies, genre standouts and more, the SXSW Film Festival has become known for the high caliber and diversity of films presented, and for its smart, enthusiastic audiences.

SXSW provides the game-changing buzz every filmmaker dreams about for the premiere of their feature film, short, episodic, or XR project.

SXSW is launching SXSW Online as part of our 2021 offerings. The digital experience will feature conference keynotes and sessions, screenings, showcases, networking, and exhibitions. The dates for SXSW Online will take place March 16 – March 20, 2021.

SXSW is working with the City of Austin and public health authorities on plans for a physical event in 2021. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Mission

The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery.

SXSW provides the game-changing buzz every filmmaker dreams about for the premiere of their feature film, short, episodic or XR project.

The SXSW Film Festival is the only place in the world bringing together creative people from so many different industries, making the SXSW Film Festival an unparalleled experience at the forefront of discovery, creativity, and innovation.

Gallery

Awards & Winners

2020

Best Episodic Pilot (Nominated)

Beached (2018)  Director(s):

24 Beats Per Second (Nominated)

24 Beats Per Second (Nominated)

24 Beats Per Second (Nominated)

24 Beats Per Second (Nominated)

24 Beats Per Second (Nominated)

24 Beats Per Second (Nominated)

24 Beats Per Second (Nominated)

24 Beats Per Second (Nominated)

24 Beats Per Second (Nominated)

Zappa ()  Director(s): Alex Winter

Texas Short (Nominated)

Texas Short (Nominated)

Texas Short (Nominated)

Texas Short (Nominated)

Texas Short (Nominated)

Zoe and Hanh (2019)  Director(s): Kim Tran

SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Nominated)

SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Nominated)

SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Nominated)

SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Nominated)

SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Nominated)

SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Nominated)

Make Up (2019)  Director(s): Claire Oakley

SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Nominated)

SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Nominated)

SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Nominated)

SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Nominated)

TFW NO GF ()  Director(s): Alex Lee Moyer

Tittle Design Competition (Nominated)

Queens of Mystery (2019)  Director(s):

Terms and rules

The SXSW Film Festival recognizes the following types of premiere status:

  • World Premiere: Your project has not screened theatrically prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed public theatrical exhibition, and has not been broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet or released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW.

  • International Premiere: Your project has not screened theatrically outside of its country or countries of origin prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed public theatrical exhibition, and has not been broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet or released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW.

  • North American Premiere: Your project has not screened theatrically in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed public theatrical exhibition, and has not been broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet or released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW.

  • U.S. Premiere: Your project has not screened theatrically in the U.S. prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed public theatrical exhibition, and has not been broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet or released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW.

  • Texas Premiere: Your project has not screened theatrically in Texas prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed public theatrical exhibition, and has not been broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet or released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW.

  • Austin Premiere: Your project has not screened theatrically in Austin prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed public theatrical exhibition and has not been broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet or released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW.

  • Not a Premiere: Your project has screened theatrically in Austin at a film festival prior to SXSW, it has been released in a country other than the U.S. via television broadcast or theatrical screening before SXSW, or has been broadcast, streamed on television or the Internet as part of a limited-time virtual festival event.

The premiere status of your film is an important factor so be sure to review eligibility listed for your screening section. Explore the Film Submission Guides and the Film Submissions FAQ for specific questions about submitting your film, premiere status, eligibility, and more.

Submission Confirmation

Once you have submitted your project, you will receive a confirmation email from SXSW within 48 hours. This email will confirm that your film has been submitted correctly. If you do not receive this email within 48 hours, please follow up by emailing filmfest@sxsw.com to ensure your film has been submitted properly and is under consideration.

Ratings & Reviews

Categories and fees

Matchmaking

What is the title of your film?

Type in your film's title

Choose a film to find matches for

Choose one of your film that you're already created, or create a new one to find matches for.

How long is your film?

Tell us your film’s duration

min.

What type of category does your film fall into?

Select one from the following list

What is the genre of your film?

You can select multiple genres

What should be the main focus of your festival strategy?

Please select one option

Monetary award

Select one from the following list

Festival qualifications that you're interested in

You can select multiple options

How much money would you spend on festival submissions?

Define us your submission budget

EUR

Start date of submission

Please enter a date when you plan to start submitting your film to festivals