Written by Julieta Gozalo
“The challenge of building a new future is one that we’re excited to tackle. This has been such a year of change and we, like the entire world, are reshaping our perspective on how we connect. We’re pleased to be working on SXSW Online as part of our program for 2021, and regardless of platform, we will continue to bring together the brightest minds from creative industries worldwide.” – Roland Swenson, SXSW CEO and Co-Founder
In adherence to COVID protocols, South by Southwest will be hosting their 28th annual festival online from March 16th – 20, 2021. The program will consist of film screenings, conference sessions, music showcases, comedy, online exhibitions, mentoring, meetups, and special events.
From Tuesday, March 16 to Thursday, March 18, the Film Festival will premiere new work every two hours from 10:00am to 8:00pm CT during SXSW Online 2021.
Check out a preview of the film festival below:
Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil
(World Premiere) (Opening Night Film)
Documentary
Director: Michael D. Ratner, Producer: Marc Ambrose
Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil is a powerful YouTube Originals documentary event, exploring every aspect that led to Lovato’s nearly fatal overdose in 2018, and her awakenings in the aftermath.
The Position (World Premiere)
Episodic Pilot Competition
Director/Screenwriter: Matthew Lessner, Producers: Breeda Wool, Michael Kaleda, Matthew Lessner
The Position is a metaphysical comedy about two modern women’s unlikely partnership and subsequent misadventures in pursuit of a portal to the multiverse. Cast List: Breeda Wool, Remi Nicole
Paul Dood’s Deadly Lunch Break (United Kingdom)
(World Premiere)
Director: Nick Gillespie, Screenwriters: Brook Driver, Matt White, Nick Gillespie
Comedy
When Paul’s chances of winning a national talent contest are ruined and his dreams of fame are slashed, he plans a deathly revenge rampage!! 1 lunch break, 5 spectacular murders! Each wrongdoer dispatched in a fitting manner by the sparkly suited Paul! Cast List: Tom Meeten, Katherine Parkinson, Kris Marshall, Alice Lowe, Mandeep Dhillon, Johnny Vegas, Steve Oram, Craig Parkinson, Kevin Bishop, Pippa Haywood
Alone Together
Documentary (World Premiere) (Closing Night Film)
Directors: Bradley Bell, Pablo Jones-Soler, Producers: Ross Levine, Emmie Lichtenberg, Brian Ferenchik
Charli XCX, a popstar in quarantine, embarks on a whirlwind creative and romantic journey while making an album in 40 days that unites a community around the world.
Subjects of Desire (Canada)
Drama
Director/Screenwriter: Jennifer Holness, Producers: Jennifer Holness, Sudz Sutherland
Subjects of Desire is a thought provoking film that examines the cultural shift in beauty standards towards embracing (or appropriating) Black aesthetics and features, deconstructing what we understand about race and the power behind beauty.
Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free
Documentary (World Premiere) (Centerpiece Film)
Director: Mary Wharton, Producer: Peter Afterman
Drawn from a newly discovered archive of 16mm film showing Tom Petty at work on his 1994 record Wildflowers, considered by many including Rolling Stone to be his greatest album ever, Somewhere You Feel Free is an intimate view of a musical icon.
Visit sxsw.com/ for the full lineup, tickets, and more.