SXSW 2024 Lineup Expansion

SXSW 2024 Expands Lineup with High-Profile Premieres and Family Collaborations

The 33rd annual South by Southwest festival has unveiled exciting additions to its March schedule, featuring a diverse array of film and television content.

HBO's beloved comedy series "The Comeback" will present its third season premiere, bringing Lisa Kudrow back to the role under Michael Patrick King's direction. Action fans can anticipate Uma Thurman starring in "Pretty Lethal," a ballerina-themed thriller helmed by director Vicky Jewson.

Music enthusiasts will appreciate the inclusion of "Our Brother, Hillel," a documentary chronicling the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers, directed by Ben Feldman.

The festival showcases multiple creative family collaborations this year. While the Bacon family will present their horror project "Family Movie," the Apatow clan makes a significant showing with three separate projects. Iris Apatow joins the cast of "Pretty Lethal," while sister Maude brings her comedy "Poetic License" for its U.S. premiere following its Toronto debut. The film stars their mother, Leslie Mann. Patriarch Judd Apatow presents his Sundance documentary "Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story."

World premiere announcements include Julia Fox's "Perfect in Visions," Adam Scott's dual appearances in "Hokum" and "The Saviors," plus the star-studded comedy "Chili Finger" featuring Judy Greer, Sean Astin, Bryan Cranston and John Goodman. Elizabeth Banks leads an impressive ensemble including John C. Reilly and Juliette Lewis in the sci-fi thriller "Dreamquil," exploring artificial intelligence gone wrong.

The lineup at SXSW has expanded with an additional 54 projects, bringing the total to 107 features. Among these, 82 are world premieres, alongside one international debut, five North American premieres, six U.S. premieres, and 12 Texas-specific premieres. The festival also features 52 short films and 20 music videos, showcasing a diverse array of creative content.

The television segment includes 12 projects, with four making their first appearance at SXSW, two spotlighted series, and six independent pilots ready to premiere. Additionally, the XR experience program encompasses 31 projects, divided into 17 in the XR experience competition, 13 in the spotlight category, and one special event.

Claudette Godfrey, VP of Film & TV, expressed her excitement, stating, "We’re delighted to unveil more of our 2026 lineup. The selection features a remarkable mix of voices and visions—from emerging filmmakers to major studio premieres, compelling series, impactful documentaries, and acclaimed international films. Every year, I’m amazed by the talent drawn to SXSW, and 2026 continues that tradition. These projects challenge conventions, embrace risk, and thrive in the live, in-person environment. The essence of SXSW is our vibrant community, and we look forward to celebrating together in Austin."

As previously announced, the festival kicks off with the premiere of Boots Riley’s neon feature, "I Love Boosters," alongside the debut of the Apple TV+ series "Margo’s Got Money Troubles," created by Emmy winner David E. Kelley and starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Elle Fanning, and Nick Offerman.

The film program will feature a headliner, promising an exciting start to the festival’s offerings.

In the United Kingdom, the film "Pretty Lethal" offers a gripping tale of survival with a twist of ballet artistry. Directed by Vicky Jewson and brought to life by a team including producers Kelly McCormick and Mike Karz, this intense thriller follows five ballerinas stranded deep within a desolate forest. Confronted with danger, they must harness their rigorous training—transforming their elegance and discipline into fierce weapons—to escape an eerie roadside inn. The cast features Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, and Millicent Simmonds, making its debut at the world premiere.

Meanwhile, the story "Anima," helmed by writer and director Brian Tetsuro Ivie, explores themes of memory and consciousness. With producers Harrison Allen and Chloe Rahal, it narrates the journey of a young woman and an elderly man traveling to an experimental facility to preserve his mind. The film stars Sydney Chandler and Lili Taylor and is also premiering globally.

In a comedic yet poignant vein, "Basic," directed by Chelsea Devantez and produced by Marc Platt, follows Gloria’s obsessive quest through her boyfriend’s dating history. Her discovery of Kaylinn—his seemingly perfect ex—sets off a series of chaotic revelations, threatening to steal her story. The cast includes Ashley Park and Leighton Meester, and it debuts at the world premiere.

Brazilian cinema brings "Beast Race" ("Corrida dos Bichos") to the forefront, directed by Ernesto Solis and Rodrigo Pesavento and produced by Fernando Meirelles. Set in a dystopian Rio de Janeiro torn by class conflict, the narrative follows a resistance leader forced into a deadly race to save his sister from a fate worse than death. The film features Rodrigo Santoro and Isis Valverde and marks its international premiere.

A dark comedy, "Chili Finger," directed by Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad, centers on a small-town lawyer who finds a severed finger in her chili. Her blackmail scheme spirals into chaos, pulling her into a whirlwind of trouble. Judy Greer stars in this world premiere.

Canada’s contribution, "Crash Land," is a story of ambition and failure, directed by Dempsey Bryk and co-written with producer Finn Wolfhard. Two amateur stuntmen attempt to create a "real movie" but end up crashing spectacularly, exploring themes of purpose and disillusionment. The film is premiering globally.

In "Dreamquill," Alex Prager crafts a near-future thriller where a woman returning from a virtual retreat discovers her helper robot has sinister motives. Elizabeth Banks stars in this world premiere, which delves into technology’s invasion of privacy and identity.

Drew Kirsch’s "He Bled Neon" plunges into a gritty Las Vegas underworld. Ethan investigates his brother’s overdose, uncovering a conspiracy and his own dark impulses. The cast includes Joe Cole and Rita Ora, with the film premiering for audiences worldwide.

"Kill Me," directed and written by Peter Warren, is a dark comedy about a man—believed to have survived a suicide attempt—who teams up with a reluctant 911 operator to uncover whether he’s stalked by a killer or chasing his own shadow. Charlie Day and Allison Williams star in this world premiere.

Ben Wheatley’s "Normal" takes place in a small town where a sheriff’s secret ignites a chaotic firefight with his community. Featuring Bob Odenkirk and Lena Headey, this U.S. premiere examines morality and chaos in tense, rural settings.

Maude Apatow’s debut feature "Poetic License" explores familial tensions as a mother’s unexpected presence strains her relationship with her college-bound son and his best friend. Starring Leslie Mann and Cooper Hoffman, it premieres in the United States.

Lauren Noll’s "Same Same But Different" highlights cross-cultural relationships. An Iranian immigrant’s simple marriage in Cape Cod becomes complicated when her friends arrive with their own romantic entanglements. The cast includes Medalion Rahimi and Logan Miller, debuting at the world premiere.

This diverse lineup promises audiences compelling stories across genres, from intense thrillers and heartfelt dramas to sharp comedies, showcasing vibrant international talent and fresh narratives at this year’s festival.

SXSW Lineup Expansions

SXSW Festival Expands Lineup with Exciting New Premieres

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival has announced several notable additions to its already impressive lineup, featuring world premieres across multiple categories that showcase emerging talent and compelling narratives.

In the narrative feature section, "The Saviors" brings together Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler in a psychological thriller about an estranged couple who discover something unexpected while investigating their suspicious Airbnb guests. The film also features an ensemble cast including Theo Rossi and Ron Perlman.

Another highlight is "Sparks," starring Elsie Fisher, which follows a group of teenagers captivated by an urban legend about a time portal in Nevada. The coming-of-age story explores friendship and adventure through its youthful cast.

The documentary selection includes several thought-provoking world premieres. "The Dads" examines the growing movement of fathers supporting their transgender children amid escalating anti-trans legislation, while "First They Come For My College" documents the political transformation of a Florida honors college and its impact on academic freedom.

Other documentary additions include "Manhood," which follows a businessman's unusual venture in male enhancement; "Serling," an authorized documentary about "Twilight Zone" creator Rod Serling; and "Summer of '94," chronicling the challenges faced by the U.S. soccer team during the 1994 World Cup.

The festival continues to emphasize diverse storytelling with "Your Attention Please," which examines our relationship with technology and AI, and "The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson," a portrait of a talented cyclist whose life was cut short.

These additions reinforce SXSW's reputation as a premier showcase for innovative filmmaking and compelling documentary storytelling that addresses contemporary social issues while entertaining audiences.

This year's festival lineup offers a diverse array of compelling narratives and bold visions.

From the haunting Irish inn of Hokum, where a novelist faces spectral witches,

to the politically charged medical mission in Gaza depicted in American Doctor,

the selections promise immersive journeys.

Audiences will follow a brave girl escaping a sinister kids' show in Buddy,

and witness two Australian teens confronting a violent entity in Leviticus.

The quest for meaning continues with The Oldest Person in the World,

a meditative chronicle on longevity and time.

Comedy meets raw personal crisis in Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story,

while familial grief unearths a town's monstrous secret in Rock Springs.

A chaotic rehab transfer spirals out of control in The Shitheads,

and an Icelandic writer preserves memory against loss in Time and Water.

The Visions category presents unique perspectives,

including a hammer salesman's paranoid descent in Bagworm

and an artist's lifelong project on aging in Beyond the Duplex Planet.

Grief bridges worlds in the Australian forest of Dead Eyes,

and a post-apocalyptic encounter unfolds in Perfect.

A nautical prophecy awaits on The Peril at Pincer Point.

The Beats per Second music strand features intimate portraits,

from Charley Crockett's raw London performances in A Cowboy in London

to the story of Dominican youth told through Bachata in Agridulce.

The musical journey concludes with the surf and sounds of Jack Johnson: Surfilmusic.

SXSW 2024 Highlights

Diving into the world of music and film, SXSW 2024 unveils a slate of compelling premieres.

A journey through sound and soul begins with an intimate look at a musician's origins, charting a path from ocean waves to global stages through personal archives and candid reflections with friends and family.

The modern country scene is redefined by an artist staying authentic to herself, with a documentary capturing the personal struggles and major triumphs behind her rapid ascent to captivating audiences nationwide.

Montreal's vibrant 2011 indie music backdrop sets the stage for a young critic's complicated romantic entanglements with the very band she is tasked with publicizing.

Amidst the whirlwind of sudden worldwide fame, a singer-songwriter returns to his rural family home, using his sharp wit to grapple with internal pressures and a disconnect from his former self.

The foundational era of a legendary rock band is explored, focusing on the early Los Angeles days and the indelible artistic mark left by their original guitarist, whose friendship shaped their core.

A poignant documentary from Brazil follows a transgender couple navigating a groundbreaking pregnancy, challenging societal perceptions of family and parenthood.

From Germany, a darkly comedic narrative unfolds as a young woman contends with a cascading series of crises among her closest friends, all while a social worker scrambles to maintain order.

The television lineup features the long-awaited third and final season of a groundbreaking HBO comedy, returning over a decade after its last chapter to conclude the story of a perpetually beleaguered actress.

Another series delves into the rebellious 1970s musical movement where rule-breaking artists in Austin and Nashville forged the defiant "outlaw country" sound, reshaping the genre's landscape.

An unflinching portrait examines the complex legacy of a visionary yet controversial extreme athlete, famed for his breathtaking climbs and jumps while wrestling with profound inner turmoil.

In the XR realm, an immersive virtual reality experience from Denmark, Germany, and Taiwan invites participants into intimate, judgment-free spaces to explore narratives of sexuality and self-discovery.

A separate tactile immersive experience from Denmark poetically investigates the strange parallels between quantum duality and the routines of everyday existence.

The festival's global presentation includes a diverse array of international stories, from personal documentaries to innovative narrative films, marking their premieres on the world stage.

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch

The Harry Potter movies chronicle the magical adventures of young wizard Harry Potter as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, confronts the dark lord Voldemort, and discovers his extraordinary destiny alongside friends Ron and Hermione. If you're wondering where to watch harry potter series, these beloved films are available on major streaming platforms including HBO Max, Netflix (in select regions), and Amazon Prime, or can be rented through digital services like Apple TV and Google Play, with some viewers using VPN services to access content restricted in their countries.

Why Choose SafeShell as Your Netflix VPN?

If you want to access region-restricted content such as Harry Potter movies on Netflix, considering the SafeShell VPN is a wise choice. The SafeShell VPN offers high-speed servers specifically optimized for seamless Netflix streaming, ensuring buffer-free playback and high-definition quality without interruptions. Additionally, the VPN allows you to connect multiple devices simultaneously, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more, providing unparalleled convenience across all your gadgets. Its exclusive App Mode enables you to unlock content from multiple regions at once, broadening your entertainment options effortlessly. With lightning-fast speeds and no bandwidth restrictions, SafeShell VPN guarantees a smooth and enjoyable streaming experience. Moreover, its top-level security features, powered by the proprietary ShellGuard protocol, safeguard your privacy and data integrity during all online activities. Finally, the flexible free trial plan allows users to explore all these benefits risk-free, making SafeShell VPN an ideal solution for streaming enthusiasts seeking both performance and security.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Watch Harry Potter with SafeShell VPN

To watch Harry Potter with SafeShell VPN, start by subscribing to SafeShell VPN through their official website at https://www.safeshellvpn.com/ and selecting a plan that suits your needs and budget. - Next, download and install the SafeShell VPN app compatible with your device, whether it's Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android. - Launch the SafeShell VPN app and log in to your account. - Choose the APP mode to optimize your streaming experience, especially for Netflix. - Browse the list of available VPN servers and select one located in the region where you want to access Harry Potter movies, such as the US, UK, or Canada. - Tap on "Connect" to establish a secure connection to your chosen server. - Finally, open the Netflix app or visit the website, log into your account, and enjoy watching Harry Potter movies from the region you selected seamlessly and safely with SafeShell VPN.