A crowd member takes a video at the world premiere of “Immaculate” during SXSW 2024. (Photo by Kyle Heise/SZNS MAG)
The SXSW Film & TV Festival, starting in Austin over 30 years ago, boasts a diverse selection of films from around the world. In addition to the scope of global projects, the festival makes sure to include its share of films produced in or related to the state of Texas
A notable category of the film festival is the Texas Short Competition, which features short films “filmed in, inspired by, or connected to the Lone Star State.” This year’s competition includes eight short films and will next screen Monday, March 10, at 11 a.m. at the Rollins Theatre at The Long Center.
“An Ongoing List of Things Found in the Library Book Drop, Usually Being Used as Bookmarks” tells the story of a library worker cataloging objects left in returned books. The film, which takes place in Texas, was shot in Leander and produced by Texas-based filmmakers. “Neuro,” following a couple’s visit to an experimental memory research center after a traumatic honeymoon event, was shot at Austin Studios, which is operated in part by the Austin Film Society, with a primarily Texas-based cast and crew.
“Red Sands,” following a Mexican American offroading community in El Paso, was filmed in the border town. “Sweetbriar,” a blended narrative and documentary short film about the director’s mother as she prepares to host her queer son, was filmed in the director’s hometown of Houston.
Other short films in the competition, while not shot in Texas, feature Texan filmmakers or are set in Texas. “Randy As Himself,” directed by a Texan, finds a West Texas town taken over by a Hollywood production crew as they attempt to reenact a recent murder. “Newbies,” about two strangers grappling with their queer identities meeting on the subway, features extensive work from Austin-based artists. “Harvester,” about a woman making a pact with a dark entity, and “Good Time Charlie,” following “a washed-up country rocker turned real estate agent,” were directed by filmmakers from Austin and Houston, respectively.
Films beyond the Texas Short Competition also feature work from Texan filmmakers, were shot in Texas, or include Texans or Texas as a subject.
Many documentary features include extensive work done in and around Texas. “Selena y Los Dinos” delves into the life of the “Queen of Tejano music” Selena Quintanilla and her lasting influence. The filmmakers conducted researched across various Texas libraries and archives and filmed in Corpus Christi and San Antonio. “Uvalde Mom” follows the repercussions of the attempt by one mother to save her children during the 2022 school shooting. The film was made with a full Texas-based crew.
Television premiere “The Yogurt Shop Murders” recounts the investigation of the unsolved murders of four teenage girls at a frozen yogurt shop in Austin in 1991. The project, which was filmed in Texas by Texan filmmakers, was produced in part by HBO and Emma Stone and will appear on streaming service Max at an unknown date.
Texas film staple Matthew McConaughey returns to the big screen in narrative feature “The Rivals of Amziah King,” portraying the titular King as he faces competitors of his family honey operation. McConaughey’s last live action acting roles were in multiple films from 2019.
Multiple feature-length films, short films and television projects connected to Texas received support from the Austin Film Society.
SZNS will be in Austin for screenings of the Texas Short Competition, “Selena y Los Dinos” and “Uvalde Mom.” For a full list of film and television projects with Texas connections, visit the SXSW provided link. For the full SXSW 2025 Film & TV Festival lineup, check out the festival website.
Stay tuned to SZNS for more reviews and news coming from SXSW 2025.
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