A preview of the 28th year SXSW Film Festival is here. We can’t wait to share the innovative and timely pieces in store this spring, including the world premiere of Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil as our opening night headliner directed by Michael D. Ratner. Other highlights are Hysterical, Facing a serial killer, The hunt for planet B, Jakob’s wife, Luchadoras, Recoveryand Tolet.
“It is impressive and rare to see a pop star tell his story in such an authentic and unassuming way,” he said. Janet Pierson, film director. “We are privileged to present this intimate journey with such vulnerability. Demi Lovato’s deep interest in mental health awareness is helping to change the landscape of a crucial issue in this year of trauma and national and international losses. ”
“We are excited to share a handful of films from various sections of the festival (Headliners, Episodic Premieres, Doc and Narrative Spotlight, Midnighters, Global, 24 Beats per second, 2020 Spotlight) to give you a taste of the talent, risk-taking, passion and achievements that we will announce in early February and share online in March, ”added Pierson.
This year, the acclaimed program will be online, where it will attract thousands of fans, filmmakers, press and industry leaders to immerse themselves in film screenings, conference sessions, music showcases, online exhibitions, tutoring, meetings and special events that define the intersectoral event .
The full schedule of the film festival will be announced on Wednesday, February 10 and the 2021 online platform will be launched on February 15th. Register today to join us from March 16 to 20, 2021 at SXSW Online.
2021 SXSW Film Festival highlights
Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil
Director: Michael D. Ratner
Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil is a powerful documentary event from YouTube Originals, exploring all aspects that led to Lovato’s near-fatal overdose in 2018 and his awakening in the aftermath. (World premiere) (headliners)
Facing a serial killer
Director: Joe Berlinger, Showrunner: Po Kutchins
Joe Berlinger’s most recent documentaries Facing a serial killer follows reporter Jillian Lauren, who attracts the most prolific serial killer in American history – Sam Little. The series will follow its disturbing and unlikely relationship. (World premiere) (episodic premiere)
The hunt for planet B
Director: Nathaniel Kahn
The hunt for planet B follows a diverse group of scientists on a quest to find another Earth among the stars. From NASA bays to the edge of the universe and the bottom of the sea, the film offers a way to see our own planet with new eyes. (World premiere) (Featured documentary)
Hysterical
Director: Andrea Nevins
Hysterical it is an honest and hilarious passage behind the scenes of the lives of some of the most innovative women in stand-up comedy, exploring the difficult journey to become the voices of their generation and their gender. Featuring Margaret Cho, Fortune Feimster, Rachel Feinstein, Marina Franklin, Nikki Glaser, Judy Gold, Kathy Griffin, Jessica Kirson, Sherri Shepherd, Iliza Shlesinger and more. Available on FX in 2021. (World premiere) (Featured documentary)
Jakob’s wife
Director: Travis Stevens, Screenwriters: Travis Stevens, Kathy Charles, Mark Steenland
The disappearance of a young woman threatens to change the beige, banal life of Anne Fedder (Barbara Crampton) and her pastor husband Jakob Fedder (Larry Fessenden) forever. Cast list: Barbara Crampton, Larry Fessenden, Bonnie Aarons, Mark Kelly, Sarah Lind, Robert Rusler, Nyisha Bell, Phil Brooks (world premiere) (Midnighters)
Luchadoras (Germany)
Directors: Paola Calvo, Patrick Jasim, Screenwriters: Patrick Jasim, Paola Calvo, Phillip Kaminiak
Luchadoras portrays the courageous fighters of Ciudad Juárez, a city known for its high rate of homicides against women – who struggle in the ring and in their daily lives to redefine the image of what it means to be a woman in Mexico. (World premiere) (global)
Polystyrene: I Am a Cliché
Director: Celeste Bell, Paul Sng, Screenwriters: Celeste Bell, Zoë Howe, Paul Sng
The death of X-Ray Spex punk icon and vocalist Poly Styrene sends his daughter on a journey around the world and through her mother’s archives to reconcile their strained relationship. (North American debut) (24 beats per second)
Recovery
Director: Mallory Everton, Stephen Meek, Screenwriters: Whitney Call, Mallory Everton
Two directionless sisters face a trip across the country to rescue their grandmother from a COVID outbreak at her nursing home. Cast: Whitney Call, Mallory Everton, Anne Sward Hansen, Julia Jolley, Baylee Thornock, Jessica Drolet, Stephen Meek, Tyler Andrew Jones, Tori Pence, Dora McDonald (world premiere) (Narrative Spotlight)
Tolet
Director / Screenwriter: Justine Bateman
A film development executive realizes that the “voice that guides” inside his head lied to her about everything. Cast list: Olivia Munn, Luke Bracey, Justin Theroux (world premiere) (2020 highlight)
Join us at SXSW Online 2021
Record for SXSW Online, a digital experience from March 16 to 20, 2021. As part of our 2021 offerings, SXSW Online will feature lectures and sessions, film screenings, music shows, networking and exhibitions. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest news from SX.
