If audiences have come to expect one thing from the South by Southwest Film Festival, it is the unexpected. Even as it has grown in size and stature, the festival has worked hard to maintain a rambunctious spirit that one returning filmmaker describes as “warm-hearted subversion.”
Based in Austin, Texas, the film festival kicks off Friday and runs through March 19. The larger South By Southwest event also includes interactive and music components with conferences, keynote speeches and live performances. Underlining the heightened profile of the overall event are scheduled appearances by President Obama and the first lady for separate talks on civic engagement and educational initiatives.
FULL COVERAGE: SXSW 2016
The appearances by the Obamas at the interactive portion also points to the breadth of the overall festival from wildly outré works to wonky think-tank panels. SXSW was among the first major film festivals to regularly showcase new television work, and the interactive event has been a leader in spotlighting virtual-reality technologies.
“South by Southwest film has never just been a film festival. It’s always been something unique nestled within these other really interesting events,” Janet Pierson, head of South by Southwest film, said by phone from Austin earlier this week. “It’s that cross-pollination that’s fantastic.”
SXSW has also staked out territory few other film festivals cover by regularly spotlighting smart, crowd-pleasing studio comedies. Last year saw the premieres of “Trainwreck” with Amy Schumer and “Spy” with Melissa McCarthy. There was also a last-minute surprise showing of the action-adventure “Furious 7.”
That freewheeling approach continues this year with the opening night world premiere of Richard Linklater’s college baseball film, “Everybody Wants Some.” This year’s film festival also includes a new Pee-wee Herman film produced by Judd Apatow and high-profile work-in-progress screenings of “Sausage Party,” an animated comedy from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and “Keanu,” the big-screen transition of the popular television comedy duo of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, better known as Key and Peele.
The SXSW film festival has become a key launching pad for young talent and new films. Recent Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson received great acclaim for her performance in “Short Term 12” when it premiered at the festival in 2013. Last year saw the North American premiere of “Ex Machina,” which went on to win an Oscar for its visual effects.
Linklater is one of the most important figures in Austin’s long-established filmmaking community. Though he has shown films at the festival before, this year marks the first time one of his films has opened SXSW.
“It’s an honor, of course,” Linklater said recently in his trademark low-key manner similar to the relaxed hang-out vibe of his new film. “It’s cool, you know?”
Jeff Nichols’ “Midnight Special” will have its North American premiere during the festival, having recently premiered at the Berlin Film Festival — the films opens nationwide on Mar. 18. Starring Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst, Joel Edgerton and Adam Driver, it is the story of two parents trying to protect their son, who has supernatural powers.
Nichols is also an Austin-based filmmaker and, having traveled to other film festivals around the world, he has become acutely aware of what makes local audiences special.
“I think we’re far enough away from the industry here that people really just want to see a good movie and they want to have a good time while watching it,” Nichols said of the Austin crowd.
The Key and Peele movie “Keanu,” the story of two cousins who fall into a criminal underworld while trying to retrieve a lost kitten, was a surprise late addition to the program as a work-in-progress for a late-night Saturday screening.
“We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect place to make our debut,” director Peter Atencio said. “This is a movie made by people who love movies. … So showing it to a crowd of people who also love movies feels right. It’s also a movie that is very conducive to a midnight experience because it’s fun and crazy and unique.”
That same enthusiasm among audiences and filmmakers alike moves across all sections of the festival. “My Blind Brother,” the feature debut for writer-director Sophie Goodhart, is the story of a two brothers, one a blind athlete, who fall in love with the same woman and stars Adam Scott, Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate and Zoe Kazan.
Goodhart, who was also at the festival in 2003 with the short film that was the basis for the feature, noted that unlike many other festivals, “I feel like they really understand comedies.”
That populist attitude covers the documentary programming as well. Jesse Moss is at the festival with “The Bandit,” a playful yet heartfelt portrait of Burt Reynolds, “Smokey and the Bandit” and Reynolds’ longtime friendship with that film’s director, Hal Needham.
Moss was likewise at the festival in 2003 with his debut feature doc, “Speedo,” about a demolition derby driver. The festival this year will also feature a screening of “Smokey and the Bandit,” and Reynolds is scheduled to appear.
“I see it as a kind of homecoming and coming full circle,” Moss said of returning to the festival. “It’s the kind of festival that I think really celebrates films like this.”
Other notable films in this year’s program include the world premieres of Mike Birbiglia’s “Don’t Think Twice,” Ti West’s “In a Valley of Violence” and Joe Berlinger’s documentary, “Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru,” as well as the North American premiere of John Michael McDonagh’s “War on Everyone.” Titles also generating interest include the world premieres of Julia Hart’s “Miss Stevens,” Stella Meghie’s “Jean of the Joneses,” Mike Flanagan’s “Hush,” Clay Liford’s “Slash” and Zach Clark’s “Little Sister.”
For a festival so steeped in discovery, “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” represents both something new and the return of a beloved icon. The film, directed by John Lee, produced by Apatow and co-written by Paul Reubens and Paul Rust, is the first new feature-film adventure for the character since 1988’s “Big Top Pee-wee.”
“It’s certainly nicer to be thought of in the present tense than in the past,” said Reubens of presenting his Pee-wee character to new audiences.
From big rowdy comedies to smaller dramas and documentaries, the mix of ideas and events alongside the broad-ranging selection of films at South by Southwest is what continues to give it a unique appeal among American film festivals.
“I feel that people come to South by Southwest to talk about a lot of important ideas, but they also come here to have fun,” Pierson said. “You’ve got all these creative people and great thinkers, but they’ve here because it’s enjoyable. It’s not like homework.”
1/72
Kelly Rowland speaks during her “Chasing Destiny” SXSW interview at the Austin Convention Center on March 19.
(Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for BET) 2/72
DJ Steve Aoki poses with a fan at the Pandora Discovery Den on March 19.
(Rachel Murray / Getty Images for Pandora) 3/72
The Roots brought their legendary Jam Sessions to the festival for the first time during an exclusive performance at the Bud Light Factory on March 19.
(Rick Kern / Getty Images for Bud Light) 4/72
Rapper Tory Lanez performs at the Pandora Discovery Den on March 18.
(Rachel Murray / Getty Images for Pandora) 5/72
Actor Paul Reubens answers questions at the premiere of “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” at the Paramount Theatre on March 17.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 6/72
Actors Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara attend the premiere of “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” at the Paramount Theatre on March 17.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 7/72
Wynonna Judd, center, with her band the Big Noise attend the Pandora Discovery Den on March 17.
(Rachel Murray / Getty Images for Pandora) 8/72
DNCE perform at Music Is Universal Styld.by Gap presented by Marriott Rewards and Universal Music Group at the JW Marriott Austin on March 17.
(Christopher Polk / Getty Images for Universal Music) 9/72
Rae Sremmurd take the stage at the Bud Light Factory during the Interscope Showcase on March 17.
(Rick Kern / Getty Images for Bud Light) 10/72
Har Mar Superstar performs on a table at the McDonald’s Loft on March 17.
(Jay Janner / Associated Press) 11/72
The Cactus Blossoms perform onstage during the Pandora Discovery Den on March 17.
(Rachel Murray / Getty Images for Pandora) 12/72
Iggy Pop performs at ACL Live the Moody Theater on March 16.
(Rich Fury / Invision/Associated Press) 13/72
Chvrches’ Lauren Mayberry performs at the MTV Woodies/10 for ’16 taping on March 16.
(Jack Plunkett / Invision/Associated Press) 14/72
Anderson.Paak performs at the MTV Woodies/10 for ’16 taping on March 16.
(Jack Plunkett / Invision/Associated Press) 15/72
Ryan Adams performs at Music Is Universal on March 16.
(Christopher Polk / Getty Images) 16/72
John Legend headlines the AXE Collective + Crew on March 17.
(Rick Kern / Getty Images for AXE) 17/72
Musicians Thao Nguyen, center, and the Avett Brothers attend a screening of “A Song For You: The Austin City Limits Story” on March 17.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 18/72
Actor-director Don Cheadle attends the screening of “Miles Ahead” on March 16,
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 19/72
First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the South by Southwest festival on March 16.
(Neilson Barnard / Getty Images for SXSW) 20/72
Big Boi performs at South by Southwest Interactive’s closing party at Stubb’s on March 15.
(Jack Plunkett / Invision / Associated Press) 21/72
Actor Don Cheadle poses in the Samsung Studio at the South by Southwest festival on March 15.
(Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images for Samsung) 22/72
Aluna Francis of AlunaGeorge performs at Spotify House during the South by Southwest festival on March 15.
(Anna Webber / Getty Images for Spotify) 23/72
From left, recording artists Sleepy Brown, Ray Murray and Rico Wade of Organized Noize attend a screening of “The Art of Organized Noize” at the Paramount Theatre during the South by Southwest festival on March 15.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 24/72
Texas meets Hollywood near the Paramount Theatre as the South by Southwest festival kicks off in Austin, Texas.
(Larry W. Smith / EPA) 25/72
A general view of “The Powerpuff Girls” parade and screening at SXSW on March 14.
(Robin Marchant / Getty Images for Cartoon Network) 26/72
Seth Rogen, left, and Evan Goldberg answer questions at the premiere of the work-in-progress “Sausage Party” at the Paramount Theatre on March 14.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 27/72
Actor Greg Poehler, from left, actress Rachel Blanchard, “You Me Her” creator John Scott Shepherd and actresses Priscilla Faia and Melanie Papalia attend the SXSW premiere of AT&T’s Audience Network’s “You Me Her” on March 15.
(Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for DIRECTV/AT&T) 28/72
Actors Melanie Papalia, from left, Priscilla Faia and Greg Poehler attend a brunch celebrating the premiere of AT&T’s Audience Network’s “You Me Her” on March 15.
(Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for DIRECTV/AT&T) 29/72
Bella Thorne, a “Shovel Buddies” cast member, attends the movie’s South by Southwest screening on Monday.
(Neilson Barnard / Getty Images for SXSW) 30/72
Motivational speaker Tony Robbins attends the screening of the documentary “Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru” on Monday.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 31/72
Andrew Jarecki, director of the documentary “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” speaks at SXSW on Monday.
(Rich Fury / Invision / AP) 32/72
Actor Craig Robinson, at SXSW with the movie “Morris From America,” poses for photos in the Samsung Studio on Monday.
(Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images for Samsung) 33/72
Comedian Hannibal Buress serves as host at the Spotify House on Monday.
(Anna Webber / Getty Images for Spotify) 34/72
Rapper Tory Lanez performs at the Spotify House on Monday.
(Anna Webber / Getty Images for Spotify) 35/72
Actors Dominic Cooper, from left, Ruth Negga and Joseph Gilgun attend the screening of “Preacher” at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas on Monday during the South By Southwest festival.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 36/72
Directors Evan Goldberg, left, and Seth Rogen attend the screening of “Preacher” at Paramount Theatre during SXSW on Monday.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 37/72
Director J.J. Abrams speaks after the screening of “Secrets of the Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey” at the Paramount Theatre during SXSW on Monday.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 38/72
R2-D2 attends the screening of “Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey” at the Paramount Theatre during SXSW.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 39/72
Sia performs at Samsung Galaxy Life Fest at SXSW on March 13.
(Rick Kern / Getty Images for Samsung) 40/72
Sia, background, and dancers perform at Samsung Galaxy Life Fest.
(Rick Kern / Getty Images for Samsung) 41/72
Willie Nelson performs at the Spotify House during SXSW on March 13.
(Anna Webber / Getty Images for Spotify) 42/72
James Caan attends a screening of his new film “The Waiting” at the Paramount Theatre on March 13.
(Jack Plunkett / Invision/Associated Press) 43/72
Andrei Dementiev, wearing the GoPro camera setup, attends a screening of “Hardcore Henry” at the Paramount Theatre on March 13.
(Jack Plunkett / Invision/Associated Press) 44/72
Singer Elle King performs onstage at Samsung Galaxy Life Fest at SXSW on March 13.
(Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images for Samsung) 45/72
Actor Johnny Galecki experiences Samsung Gear VR at the Samsung Studio at SXSW.
(Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images for Samsung) 46/72
Actresses Kate Micucci, left, Alia Shawkat and Gillian Jacobs at the Samsung Studio on March 13.
(Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images for Samsung) 47/72
Director Mike Birbiglia attends a screening of “Don’t Think Twice” at the Paramount Theatre on March 13.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 48/72
“Scandal” actress Kerry Washington speaks during South by Southwest at the Austin Convention Center.
(Rich Fury / Invision / Associated Press) 49/72
“Mr. Robot” actor Rami Malek speaks during South by Southwest.
(Rich Fury / Invision / Associated Press) 50/72
“Mr. Robot” actor Christian Slater speaks during South by Southwest.
(Rich Fury / Invision / Associated Press) 51/72
Anthony Bourdain speaks during South by Southwest at the Austin Convention Center.
(Rich Fury / Invision / Associated Press) 52/72
Jake Gyllenhaal, left, Jean-Marc Vallée and Bryan Sipe arrive at the screening of “Demolition” during South by Southwest at the Paramount Theatre.
(Rich Fury / Invision / Associated Press) 53/72
Actor Alexander Skarsgård, left, director John Michael McDonagh and actor Michael Peña at a screening of their new movie “War on Everyone” during the South by Southwest Film Festival.
(Jack Plunkett / Invision / Associated Press) 54/72
Actors Jordan Peele, left, and Keegan-Michael Key attend the screening of “Keanu” during the 2016 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival in Austin.
(Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW) 55/72
Miguel performs as part of the SteelHouse Concert Series during the South by Southwest Interactive Festival.
(Gary Miller/Getty Images for SteelHouse) 56/72
Burt Reynolds sits on a 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am at the world premiere of “The Bandit” during the South by Southwest Film Festival.
(Jack Plunkett / Invision / Associated Press) 57/72
Ellen Page speaks at a panel discussion during South by Southwest.
(Rich Fury / Invision / Associated Press) 58/72
“Vice Principals” Georgia King, left, David Gordon Green, Jody Hill, Kimberly Hebert Gregory, Danny McBride and Walton Goggins gather during the South by Southwest Film Festival.
(Jack Plunkett / Invision / Associated Press) 59/72
Zoey Deutch arrives at the premiere of “Everybody Wants Some” at the Paramount Theatre.
(Rich Fury / Invision/Associated Press) 60/72
Director Richard Linklater at the premiere of “Everybody Wants Some” at the Paramount Theatre.
(Rich Fury / Invision/Associated Press) 61/72
Actors Glen Powell, left, Juston Street, Austin Amelio and Wyatt Russell at the Samsung Studio at SXSW.
(Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images for Samsung) 62/72
Dallas Mavericks wwner Mark Cuban speaks during “Sports and VR,” presented by Gear VR, at the Samsung Studio at SXSW.
(Rick Kern / Getty Images for Samsung) 63/72
Festival goers experience Samsung Gear VR at the Samsung Studio at SXSW.
(Rick Kern / Getty Images for Samsung) 64/72
Actors Nathan Parsons and Ksenia Solo at the Samsung Studio at SXSW.
(Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images for Samsung) 65/72
President Barack Obama, right, talks with Texas Tribune Editor in Chief/CEO Evan Smith at the Center for Performing Arts in Austin as part of the South by Southwest Festival.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP) 66/72
President Barack Obama waves upon his arrival on Air Force One at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. He’ll speak at SXSW and attend two Democratic National Committee fundraisers.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP) 67/72
The First Order, from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” has landed at SXSW.
(Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios) 68/72
The Austin Convention Center is ready for the public’s arrival on the first day of South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, on Friday.
(Larry W. Smith / EPA) 69/72
A state trooper and a volunteer walk through the hall inside the Austin Convention Center before the public was let in on the first day of the South by Southwest festival.
(Larry W. Smith / EPA) 70/72
People line up inside the Austin Convention Center to register on the first day of SXSW.
(Larry W. Smith / EPA) 71/72
People wait in line to see President Obama participate in a South by Southwest interactive panel on March 11 in Austin, Texas.
(Erich Schlegel / Getty Images) 72/72
Visitors look over movie posters inside the Austin Convention Center at SXSW.
(Larry W. Smith / EPA) Twitter: @IndieFocus
